Jay Leno
Jay Leno is a stand-up comedian, former Tonight Show host and the host of Jay Leno’s Garage, where he shares the stories and engineering behind cars and motorcycles.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends Jay’s team an official invite.
🔒 Star boosts open once Jay claims this page.
Latest
Jay’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
YouTube
NBCOverview
- From
- New Rochelle, New York
- Work
- Comedian, television host and automotive creator
- Breakout
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, first appearance March 2, 1977
- Behind the desk
- The Tonight Show host, 1992–2009 and 2010–2014
Mini bio
How it started.
Jay developed his stand-up while studying at Emerson College, working Boston stages before becoming a familiar television guest. His first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson came on March 2, 1977. By 1987, he was a regular guest host.
The late-night years.
NBC chose Jay to succeed Johnny Carson in 1992. He hosted The Tonight Show from 1992 to 2009, then returned from 2010 to 2014. Monologues and guest conversations made him a nightly presence for viewers.
Inside the garage.
His love of cars and motorcycles became Jay Leno’s Garage, where he is both host and producer. The web series won an Emmy in 2011. Today, the channel pairs automotive history and mechanical detail with road tests, restoration stories and visits from fellow enthusiasts.
Creditschronological, newest first
Online video
- 2026Jay Leno’s GarageHost
Television
- 1992–2009; 2010–2014The Tonight Show with Jay LenoHost
- 1987–1992The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonRegular guest host
Awards
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor2014 · Honored by the Kennedy Center.
- Television Academy Hall of Fame2014 · Inductee.
- Primetime Emmy Award2011 · Outstanding Special Class, Short-Format Nonfiction Programs, Jay Leno’s Garage; producer.
- Primetime Emmy Award1995 · Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Quotes
It’s the best job in show business.Jay Leno, UPI
Speaking in June 1991 after NBC announced that he would succeed Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.
Trivia
- His second appearance on Carson’s Tonight Show fell on his birthday, April 28, 1977.
- He owns a 1956 Packard Caribbean convertible, featured alongside a 1902 Packard in an October 2026 episode.
- He has written a monthly column for Popular Mechanics.
Find Jay
Follow Jay for new garage visits, road tests and car stories.
Are you Jay Leno?
Fans built this page. Claim it to connect with them and unlock Star boosts, or request a takedown if you’d rather it not exist.