History of Jay Leno in Timeline

Jay Leno is an American comedian, writer, and television host, best known for hosting NBC's The Tonight Show for two long tenures (1992-2009 and 2010-2014). After years performing stand-up, he took over The Tonight Show, eventually leading to a brief transition where Conan O'Brien hosted. A conflict arose when NBC proposed Leno host a show before The Tonight Show, leading to Leno's return. Beyond The Tonight Show, Leno has hosted Jay Leno's Garage and the revival of You Bet Your Life. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2014.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1909: Antique Electric Car

In 1909, Jay Leno's car collection includes three antique electric cars, a 1909 Baker Motor Vehicle, which is his wife Mavis's favorite car.

May 12, 1940: Birth of Patrick Leno

On May 12, 1940, Jay Leno's older brother, Patrick, was born.

April 28, 1950: Jay Leno Born

On April 28, 1950, James Douglas Muir Leno, known as Jay Leno, was born. He is an American television host, comedian, and writer.

1963: Chrysler Turbine Cars

In Jay Leno's car collection, there is one of nine remaining 1963 Chrysler Turbine Cars.

1973: Started Comedy Club

In 1973, Jay Leno started a comedy club while attending Emerson College in Boston.

1976: Minor roles in television series and films

In 1976, Jay Leno had minor roles in several television series and films, first in "J.J. in Trouble" of Good Times, and the same year in the pilot of Holmes & Yo-Yo.

March 2, 1977: First Tonight Show Appearance

On March 2, 1977, Jay Leno made his first appearance on The Tonight Show, performing a comedy routine.

1978: More Prominent Film Roles

In 1978, Jay Leno played more prominent roles in the films American Hot Wax and Silver Bears.

1979: Film and Television Appearances

In 1979, Jay Leno appeared in "Going Nowhere" on One Day at a Time and in the film Americathon.

1981: Film and Television Appearances

In 1981, Jay Leno appeared in Polyester and "The Wild One" on Alice.

1982: David Letterman Hosted Late Night

Since 1982, David Letterman had been hosting Late Night with David Letterman which aired after The Tonight Show.

1983: Laverne & Shirley Appearance

In 1983, Jay Leno appeared in "Do the Carmine" on Laverne & Shirley.

1983: Appeared on Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour

In 1983, Jay Leno appeared on three weeks of the short-lived NBC game show Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour.

1984: Appeared on Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour

In 1984, Jay Leno appeared on three weeks of the short-lived NBC game show Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour.

1986: Regular Substitute Host

Starting in 1986, Jay Leno was a regular substitute host for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.

1988: Contract Extension with NBC

In 1988, Jay Leno received a contract extension with NBC itself.

1989: Starring Film Role

In 1989, Jay Leno had his only starring film role in the direct-to-video Collision Course, with Pat Morita.

1992: Became Host of The Tonight Show

In 1992, Jay Leno became the host of NBC's The Tonight Show, succeeding Johnny Carson.

1992: Replaced Carson as Host

In 1992, Jay Leno replaced Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show amid controversy.

1992: Lowest second-quarter ratings since 1992

On July 1, 2010, Variety reported that viewership for Jay Leno's Tonight Show had dropped. Although it represented the show's lowest second-quarter ratings since 1992, Tonight was still the most-watched late-night program

1993: Death of Catherine (née Muir)

In 1993, Jay Leno's mother Catherine (née Muir) passed away.

1993: Death of Leno's Mother

In 1993, during his first season as host of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno's mother passed away at the age of 82.

1994: Death of Angelo Leno

In 1994, Jay Leno's father Angelo Leno passed away.

July 1995: Higher Ratings Than Letterman

In July 1995, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, featuring an interview with Hugh Grant, rated higher than Letterman for the first time.

2001: Voice Acting on The Fairly OddParents

From 2001 to 2016, Jay Leno did voice acting as The Crimson Chin on The Fairly OddParents.

2001: Donation to Feminist Majority Foundation

In 2001, Jay Leno and his wife Mavis donated $100,000 to the Feminist Majority Foundation's campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

2001: Love Ride Benefitting 9/11 Recovery

Since 1985, Jay Leno has been the Grand Marshal for the Love Ride. In 2001, the event also benefitted the September 11 attacks recovery.

October 6, 2002: Death of Patrick Leno

On October 6, 2002, Jay Leno's older brother, Patrick, passed away.

2002: Death of Leno's Brother

In 2002, Jay Leno's older brother, Patrick, a Vietnam veteran and graduate of Yale Law School, died of cancer at the age of 62.

2004: Comments About Succession

In 2004, Jay Leno made comments in a Tonight Show clip about allowing Conan O'Brien to take over without incident.

2004: Contract Extension with NBC

In 2004, Jay Leno signed a contract extension with NBC to remain as host of The Tonight Show until 2009.

2005: Defense Witness in Michael Jackson Trial

During the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson over allegations of child molestation, Jay Leno appeared as a defense witness.

2005: Reported Earnings

In 2005, it was reported that Jay Leno earned $32 million.

2006: Howard Stern Criticizes Leno

In 2006, Howard Stern appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and said he felt it was unlikely that Jay Leno would ever willingly give up The Tonight Show.

2007: Accusations of Violating WGA Guidelines

During the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, Jay Leno was accused of violating WGA guidelines by writing his own monologue for The Tonight Show.

December 8, 2008: Announced New Show at 10 p.m.

On December 8, 2008, it was reported that Jay Leno would remain on NBC and move to a new hour-long show at 10 p.m. Eastern Time five nights a week.

February 2009: Answered Questions in Front of the Writers Guild of America

In February 2009, Jay Leno answered questions in front of the Writers Guild of America, West trial committee.

April 23, 2009: Hospitalized with Undisclosed Illness

On April 23, 2009, Jay Leno checked himself into a hospital with an undisclosed illness.

May 29, 2009: Left The Tonight Show

On Friday, May 29, 2009, Jay Leno left The Tonight Show.

June 1, 2009: Conan O'Brien took over The Tonight Show

On June 1, 2009, Conan O'Brien took over as host of The Tonight Show.

June 2009: Answered Questions in Front of the Writers Guild of America

In June 2009, Jay Leno answered questions in front of the Writers Guild of America, West trial committee.

August 11, 2009: Not on List of Strikebreakers

On August 11, 2009, when the WGAW published its list of strikebreakers, Jay Leno was not on it.

September 14, 2009: The Jay Leno Show Debuted

On September 14, 2009, The Jay Leno Show debuted on NBC, featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey, and Kanye West as first guests.

September 2009: Started The Jay Leno Show

In September 2009, Jay Leno began hosting a primetime talk show, The Jay Leno Show, on NBC.

2009: Donation to Salem State College

In 2009, Jay Leno donated $100,000 to a scholarship fund at Salem State College in honor of Lennie Sogoloff.

2009: Criticism for Interviewing Kanye West

In 2009, Jay Leno received criticism for asking Kanye West about his recently deceased mother, Donda West, at the 2009 VMAs.

2009: O'Brien to Host Tonight Show

Later in 2004, Conan O'Brien signed a contract with NBC to become the host of The Tonight Show in 2009, replacing Jay Leno.

2009: Viewership Decline Reported

On July 1, 2010, Variety reported that total viewership for Leno's Tonight Show had dropped from 5 million to 4 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009.

January 7, 2010: Move to 11:35 p.m. Time Slot Announced

On January 7, 2010, it was reported that beginning March 1, 2010, Jay Leno would move from his 10 p.m. weeknight time slot to 11:35 p.m.

January 22, 2010: O'Brien's Final Episode

On January 22, 2010, Conan O'Brien's final episode of The Tonight Show aired after a deal was struck for him to leave.

January 28, 2010: Oprah Winfrey Show Appearance

On January 28, 2010, Jay Leno appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to address criticism regarding the circumstances surrounding Conan O'Brien's departure from The Tonight Show and to repair his public image.

March 1, 2010: Returned to The Tonight Show

On March 1, 2010, Jay Leno returned to hosting The Tonight Show amidst the 2010 Tonight Show conflict.

July 1, 2010: Viewership Decline Reported

On July 1, 2010, Variety reported that viewership for Jay Leno's Tonight Show had dropped from 5 million to 4 million for the second quarter of 2010.

2010: Late Show Commercial

In 2010, Jay Leno appeared with David Letterman and Oprah Winfrey in a Late Show commercial airing during Super Bowl XLIV.

2010: Criticism for Role in Tonight Show Conflict

Jay Leno faced criticism for his perceived role in the 2010 Tonight Show conflict.

2011: Collaboration with Team Bondi for L.A. Noire

In 2011, Jay Leno opened his garage to Team Bondi, the developers of the video game L.A. Noire, allowing them to accurately recreate cars from the late 1940s.

August 2012: Fiat 500 Auction for Charity

In August 2012, Jay Leno auctioned his Fiat 500 for $385,000, with all proceeds going to a charity supporting wounded war veterans.

2012: Jimmy Kimmel Interview

In 2012, Jimmy Kimmel discussed his appearance on Leno's show and expressed his feelings about the Tonight Show conflict.

April 3, 2013: Departure Announcement

On April 3, 2013, NBC announced that Jay Leno would leave The Tonight Show in spring 2014, with Jimmy Fallon as his successor.

February 6, 2014: Final Episode of Second Tenure

On February 6, 2014, Jay Leno hosted his last episode of his second tenure on The Tonight Show.

2014: Hosted Jay Leno's Garage Special

In 2014, Jay Leno hosted a one-hour Jay Leno's Garage special on CNBC.

2014: Honorary Doctorate from Emerson College

In 2014, Jay Leno received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Emerson College and delivered the commencement speech.

2014: Departure Announcement

On April 3, 2013, NBC announced that Jay Leno would leave The Tonight Show in spring 2014, with Jimmy Fallon as his successor.

2014: Hosting Genesis Prize Ceremony

While hosting the 2014 Genesis Prize award ceremony in Jerusalem, Jay Leno made jokes about then-President Barack Obama and then-Secretary of State John Kerry.

2015: Speculation About Late Show Appearance

In 2015, Jay Leno declined an invitation to appear on Late Show with David Letterman despite speculation he would appear on the show's finale.

2015: Jay Leno's Garage Returned

In 2015, Jay Leno's Garage returned as a primetime series on CNBC.

2015: Interview with The Jerusalem Post

In a 2015 interview with The Jerusalem Post, Jay Leno spoke about Israel's democracy and defense capabilities.

2016: Voice Acting on The Fairly OddParents

From 2001 to 2016, Jay Leno did voice acting as The Crimson Chin on The Fairly OddParents.

2019: Guest Judge on America's Got Talent

In 2019, Jay Leno was a guest judge on season 14 of America's Got Talent where he pressed the Golden Buzzer for opera singer Emanne Beasha.

August 2020: Criticism for Supporting Ellen DeGeneres

In August 2020, Jay Leno faced criticism for expressing support for Ellen DeGeneres despite a workplace investigation into toxic behavior claims against producers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

2021: Hosted Revival of You Bet Your Life

In 2021, Jay Leno began hosting the revival of You Bet Your Life.

2021: Hosted You Bet Your Life Revival

In 2021, Jay Leno hosted the third revival of the game show You Bet Your Life for two seasons

2021: Honorary Doctorate from Academy of Art University

In 2021, Jay Leno received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Academy of Art University.

November 12, 2022: Burns in Garage Fire

On November 12, 2022, Jay Leno sustained "serious burns" to his face and hands when a vehicle in his Los Angeles garage caught fire.

November 2022: Sponsorship of Scholarships at McPherson College

As of November 2022, Jay Leno sponsored two scholarships at McPherson College.

2022: Hosted Jay Leno's Garage

From 2014 to 2022, Jay Leno hosted Jay Leno's Garage

January 2023: Jay Leno's Garage Canceled

In January 2023, Jay Leno's Garage was canceled after seven seasons.

January 17, 2023: Motorcycle Accident

On January 17, 2023, Jay Leno sustained multiple broken bones after falling off a motorcycle.

August 2023: You Bet Your Life Canceled

In August 2023, You Bet Your Life was canceled after Jay Leno refused to cross the picket line during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.

2023: Hosted Revival of You Bet Your Life

From 2021 to 2023, Jay Leno hosted the revival of You Bet Your Life.

2023: Guest Judge on Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge

In 2023, Jay Leno returned to NBC to appear as a celebrity guest judge on the two-episode season finale of Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.

November 16, 2024: Fall in Pennsylvania

On November 16, 2024, Jay Leno broke his right wrist and sustained bruises after tripping and falling in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

2024: Leno Granted Conservatorship Over Wife Due to Dementia

In 2024, Jay Leno was granted conservatorship of the couple's joint estate as his wife, Mavis Leno, is suffering from an advanced form of dementia, experiencing disorientation and memory loss.