Jay Leno
In 1992, Leno succeeded Johnny Carson as host of NBC's The Tonight Show, debuting May 25. Despite a rocky transition, he made the broadcast a ratings powerhouse and a late-night institution for over two decades.
Road-Tested Comedian
An Emerson College graduate, Leno spent years grinding on the road as a stand-up. Frequent Tonight Show spots made him Carson's favored permanent guest host.
King of Late Night
Taking over in 1992, Leno turned The Tonight Show into a ratings leader with segments like Headlines and Jaywalking. His work ethic kept him on top through fierce competition.
Cars and Comedy
After leaving in 2014, Leno returned to constant touring and his passion for automobiles. Jay Leno's Garage channeled that obsession into an award-winning series.
Career Timeline
- 1950Born in New Rochelle, New York
- 1973Begins professional stand-up comedy career
- 1977Makes first Tonight Show appearance
- 1987Becomes permanent guest host for Carson
- 1992Succeeds Carson as Tonight Show host
- 2004Tonight Show dominates late-night ratings
- 2009Steps aside; launches prime-time Jay Leno Show
- 2010Returns to host The Tonight Show again
- 2014Hosts final Tonight Show; Fallon succeeds him
- 2015Premieres CNBC series Jay Leno's Garage
Biggest Hits
- Leno is famous for never spending his Tonight Show salary, living instead off his stand-up earnings.
- He owns one of the world's largest private car and motorcycle collections, numbering in the hundreds.
Portrait: Souris40 · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons