Jay Leno
Born 1950 · Age 75
American comedian, television host and automotive enthusiast best known as host of NBC's The Tonight Show (1992–2009, 2010–2014).
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Jay Leno and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in New Rochelle, New York
James Douglas Muir Leno born to Angelo and Catherine Leno in New Rochelle, NY.
Approx. high school graduation (Andover High School)
Grew up in Andover, Massachusetts and graduated from Andover High School (year not explicitly stated; typical graduation year estimated).
Graduated Emerson College (BA in speech therapy)
Completed bachelor's degree in speech therapy at Emerson College (Britannica reports 1972 graduation).
Started a comedy club at Emerson College
While at Emerson College Leno started a comedy club (Wikipedia notes this occurred in 1973).
First TV acting: Good Times episode & Holmes & Yo-Yo pilot
Minor TV roles including a 1976 episode 'J.J. in Trouble' of Good Times and the pilot of Holmes & Yo-Yo.
Uncredited film appearance: Fun with Dick and Jane
Had an uncredited appearance in the film Fun with Dick and Jane (1977).
First appearance on The Tonight Show
Made first appearance on NBC's The Tonight Show (performed a comedy routine) on March 2, 1977.
Film roles: American Hot Wax and Silver Bears
Played more prominent film roles in American Hot Wax and Silver Bears (1978).
Film role: Americathon
Appeared in the film Americathon (1979).
Film role: Polyester
Minor role in the film Polyester (1981).
Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour appearances
Appeared on the short-lived NBC game show Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour across 1983–1984 (three weeks).
Named Grand Marshal of the Love Ride
Has served as Grand Marshal for the Love Ride motorcycle charity since 1985; the event has raised nearly $14 million for various charities (cumulative).
Regular substitute host for Johnny Carson
Beginning in 1986 Leno was a regular substitute host for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.
Contract extension with NBC (1988)
Signed a contract extension with NBC (documented 1988 program notes).
Published 'Headlines' book series begins (1989–1994)
Published multiple 'Headlines' books: Headlines (1989), More Headlines (1990), Headlines III (1991), Headlines IV (1992), Jay Leno's Police Blotter (1994).
Starring film role: Collision Course
Had his only starring film role in the direct-to-video Collision Course (1989) with Pat Morita.
Writers Guild Award nomination (1989)
Nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Variety – Musical, Award, Tribute, Special Event.
Named host of The Tonight Show
NBC chose Leno to replace Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show (1992), amid controversy with David Letterman.
Death of mother
Leno's mother Catherine died in 1993 at age 82 during Leno's first season as Tonight Show host.
Contract extension reported (1993): $40M for five years
Reported five-year contract extension around 1993 for approximately $40 million (per biography reporting).
Death of father
Leno's father Angelo died in 1994 at age 84.
Primetime Emmy Award win (mid-1990s)
The Tonight Show and Leno received Emmy recognition; Leno earned Emmy awards during the 1995–1997 span (Wikipedia awards list).
Published autobiography 'Leading With My Chin'
Published his memoir 'Leading With My Chin' (1996) discussing career and personal life including his notable jaw.
Published autobiography 'Leading With My Chin'
Released his anecdotal memoir 'Leading With My Chin' (1996).
Reported renewal (late 1990s) — multi-year contract ($100M reported by some outlets)
Biography sources report a 1998 renewal for approximately five years at $100 million; widely reported though exact structure varies.
Received star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2000).
Donated $100,000 to Feminist Majority Foundation
Leno and his wife donated $100,000 to the Feminist Majority Foundation campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
Voice acting: The Crimson Chin (The Fairly OddParents)
Provided voice for 'The Crimson Chin' on The Fairly OddParents (role spanned 2001–2016).
Death of older brother Patrick Leno
Leno's older brother Patrick (a Vietnam veteran and attorney) died of cancer on October 6, 2002 at age 62.
Signed contract extension with NBC to remain host until 2009
In 2004 Leno signed a contract extension to retain him as host of The Tonight Show through 2009; Conan O'Brien was also announced to succeed in 2009.
Published children's books (2004–2005)
Published two children's books: 'If Roast Beef Could Fly' (2004) and 'How to Be the Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World' (2005).
Reported annual earnings of $32 million (2005)
Media reported Leno earned approximately $32 million in 2005 (annual earnings figure).
Testified as defense witness in Michael Jackson trial
Appeared as a defense witness during Michael Jackson's 2005 trial regarding a phone conversation with the accuser.
Voice acting in Cars (2006)
Provided a voice role in the animated feature film Cars (2006).
Donated $100,000 to Salem State College scholarship
Donated $100,000 to a scholarship fund at Salem State College in honor of Lennie Sogoloff.
The Jay Leno Show salary reported
Industry reporting (IMDb) lists Leno's salary for The Jay Leno Show at roughly $30 million per year (2009–2010 figure).
Hospitalized and missed Tonight Show tapings
Checked into a hospital April 23, 2009 for an undisclosed illness (later described as exhaustion); canceled two Tonight Show episodes—the first cancellations in 17 years as host.
Left The Tonight Show (first tenure)
Stepped down as host of The Tonight Show; final episode of initial tenure aired May 29, 2009; Conan O'Brien took over June 1, 2009.
WGA clears Leno of strike violations
Writers Guild of America West published strikebreakers list on Aug 11, 2009 and Leno was not on it; some WGA actions/clearances occurred around this time.
Debuted The Jay Leno Show in prime time
Launched The Jay Leno Show, an hour-long prime-time program airing weeknights at 10 p.m. ET on NBC; debuted September 14, 2009.
NBC–late-night timeslot conflict reported
January 2010 reports surfaced that NBC planned to move Leno from 10 p.m. to 11:35/11:35–11:40 p.m. (then to 11:35 p.m. / 11:35–12:05 p.m.) leading to conflict with Conan O'Brien.
Conan O'Brien exit deal announced ($33M to Conan; $12M to staff)
NBC reached a deal for Conan O'Brien to leave The Tonight Show with a $33 million payout to Conan and roughly $12 million to his staff of nearly 200.
Returned as host of The Tonight Show
Leno returned to hosting The Tonight Show on March 1, 2010 after the January 2010 conflict and Conan's departure.
Ratings drop documented Q2 2010 (from 5M to 4M viewers)
Variety reported total viewership for Leno's Tonight Show dropped from ~5 million to ~4 million in Q2 2010 versus 2009.
Hasty Pudding Man of the Year
Awarded Hasty Pudding Man of the Year (2011).
Continued touring as stand-up comedian
After leaving The Tonight Show Leno maintained an active touring schedule doing an average of ~200 live performances a year across the U.S. and Canada (ongoing statement).
Auctioned Fiat 500 for charity ($385,000)
In Aug 2012 Leno auctioned his Fiat 500; it sold for $385,000 with proceeds going to a charity that helps wounded war veterans.
Announced retirement from The Tonight Show (spring 2014)
NBC announced that Leno would leave The Tonight Show in spring 2014 and that Jimmy Fallon would be his successor.
Hosted Jay Leno's Garage special on CNBC
Hosted a one-hour Jay Leno's Garage special on CNBC in 2014 as precursor to series.
Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame (2014).
Emerson College honorary degree and commencement speech
Received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Emerson College and delivered the commencement address (2014).
Final Tonight Show episode (second tenure)
Hosted his final Tonight Show episode on February 6, 2014 with multiple celebrity guests and surprise appearances.
Jay Leno's Garage becomes CNBC series
Internet/web series adapted to a primetime CNBC series beginning 2015 and ran through 2022 (program focused on vehicles and car collection).
Guest judge on America's Got Talent (season 14)
Appeared as guest judge and pressed the Golden Buzzer for opera singer Emanne Beasha (2019).
Began hosting revival of You Bet Your Life
Hosted the third revival of the game show You Bet Your Life from 2021 through 2023 (two seasons).
Honorary Doctorate from Academy of Art University
Received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Academy of Art University (2021).
Vehicle collection reported: (late 2022/2024 updates)
Public accounting of his vehicle collection (ongoing): by late 2024 reported to own at least 181 cars and 160 motorcycles with estimated collection value of at least $52 million.
Jay Leno's Garage ends run on CNBC
The CNBC car series ran through 2022; production canceled in January 2023 when channel re-emphasized business programming.
Suffered serious burns in garage vehicle fire
Sustained serious burns to face and hands when a vehicle in his Los Angeles garage burst into flames; received reconstructive treatment ('new ear').
You Bet Your Life canceled after WGA solidarity stance
Show was canceled in Aug 2023 after Leno refused to cross the picket line during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike; Fox First Run offered alternate shows instead of reruns.
Guest judge appearance on Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge season finale
Returned to NBC in 2023 to appear as a celebrity guest judge on the two-episode season finale of Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge.
Sustained broken bones in motorcycle fall
On January 17, 2023 Leno sustained multiple broken bones after falling off a motorcycle.
Vehicle collection valuation & inventory (late 2024)
As of late 2024 Leno's collection reported at least 181 cars and 160 motorcycles; most expensive car is a 1994 McLaren F1 (purchased late 1990s for ~ $800k; estimated value at least $20M); entire collection valued at least $52M.
Granted conservatorship of joint estate (Mavis Leno)
Los Angeles Superior Court granted Jay Leno conservatorship of the couple's joint estate after disclosure that his wife Mavis had advanced dementia (2024).
Accident in Greensburg, Pennsylvania (Nov 16, 2024)
Tripped and rolled down a hill in Greensburg, PA; broke right wrist (tore fingernail), sustained bruises and a periorbital hematoma.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Jay Leno and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Rowan Atkinson
Born 1955 · Age 70
English actor, comedian and writer best known for Blackadder, Mr. Bean and the Johnny English film series. Trained as an electrical engineer; prominent from late 1970s onward.
Diane Greene
Born 1955 · Age 70
American technology entrepreneur and executive; co‑founder and long‑time CEO of VMware, former CEO of Google Cloud, board director and advisor across major tech and nonprofit organizations.
Bill Gates
Born 1955 · Age 70
Co-founder of Microsoft, technology entrepreneur and leading philanthropist; longtime Microsoft CEO/chairman turned full-time philanthropist and founder/chair of multiple investment and energy initiatives.
Indra Nooyi
Born 1955 · Age 70
Indian-born American business executive; chairman and CEO of PepsiCo (2006–2018); influential corporate strategist, board director and philanthropist.
Steve Jobs
Born 1955 · Age 70
Co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc., founder of NeXT, majority shareholder and chairman of Pixar, pioneer of the personal computer and consumer electronics revolutions.
Cathie Wood
Born 1955 · Age 70
American investor; founder, CEO and CIO of ARK Investment Management (ARK Invest); known for thematic, disruption-focused actively managed ETFs (notably ARK Innovation ETF / ARKK).