Jay Leno

Jay Leno Headshot

Host • Comedian

Birth Date: April 28, 1950

Age: 73 years old

Birth Place: New Rochelle, New York

A genial comedian who skewered the contradictions of everyday life, Jay Leno's Everyman persona and tireless work ethic helped him to earn one of the most sacred spots on television, replacing Johnny Carson as host of "The Tonight Show" (NBC, 1954- ). But his ascension to Carson's throne in 1993 earned him considerable spite from David Letterman - who was long considered to be the heir apparent - as both feuded behind the scenes and in public in the so-called Late Night Wars. Leno soared in the ratings while his "Tonight Show" was the most-watched show at 11:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Leno continued cultivating his everyman image by showcasing his love of cars and motorcycles, amassing a collection that totaled some 190 vehicles, and continuing to perform stand-up across the country on his days off. In 2008, NBC shockingly announced that Leno would be replaced as "Tonight Show" host by Conan O'Brien, and in an unprecedented move, Leno revamped his show for a 10 p.m. timeslot. A short time later, Leno would return to his customary timeslot as one of the mainstays of late-night programming.

Credits

The Game Show ShowStream

Guest
Game Show
2023

Show Business Is My Life But I Can't Prove It

Actor
Movie
2023

Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?Stream

Guest
Talk
2022

Access Daily With Mario & Kit

Guest
Show
2022

Piers Morgan Uncensored

Self
Show
2022

Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl

Self
Special
2022

Project S

Self
Movie
2022

Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes AroundStream

Self
Special
2021

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of HousesStream

Guest
Game Show
2021

Nick Cannon

Guest
Talk
2021

You Bet Your Life With Jay Leno

Host
Game Show
2021

You Bet Your Life Preview Show

Host
Show
2021

Hart to HeartStream

Guest
Talk
2021

VOMO: Vote or Miss Out

Actor
Show
2020

Martha Knows BestStream

Guest
Series
2020

Skrrt With Offset

Guest
Show
2020

Garth Brooks: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Host
Show
2020

Best in Class: The Making of a Concours d'Elegance

Actor
Movie
2020

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge — Adventure AwaitsStream

Actor
Special
2019

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Host
Talk
2019

Access Daily

Guest
Show
2019

Peyton's Places

Actor
Reality
2019

Lights Out With David SpadeStream

Guest
Talk
2019

T.O.T.S.Stream

Voice
Hank Featherbee
Series
2019

Jeff Dunham: Talking Heads

Self
Show
2019

Still Laugh-In: The Stars CelebrateStream

Actor
Special
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

The DL Hughley Show

Host
Show
2019

Chasing Perfect

Actor
Movie
2019

Today 3rd Hour

Guest
Show
2018

The Indian Wrecking Crew

Actor
Movie
2018

The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling

Actor
Movie
2018

I Am Sam Kinison

Actor
Show
2017

The Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special

Guest
Show
2017

A Very Pentatonix Christmas

Guest
Special
2017

STEVE on Watch

Guest
Talk
2017

Carpool Karaoke: The SeriesStream

Music Performer
Reality
2017

Adam Carolla and Friends Build Stuff Live

Guest
Show
2017

Mickey and the Roadster RacersStream

Guest Voice
Billy Beagle
Series
2017

Mickey and the Roadster RacersStream

Voice
Billy Beagle
Series
2017

Gilbert

Self
Movie
2017

Ask the StoryBots

Guest Star
Show
2016

Ask the StoryBots

Guest Voice
Show
2016

Jay Leno's Garage: Extras

Actor
Show
2016

Jay Leno's Garage: Extras

Self
Show
2016

Red Nose Day

Guest
Show
2016

ChelseaStream

Guest
Talk
2016
41%

Dateline: On Assignment

Guest
Show
2016

Michael Bublé's Christmas in Hollywood

Guest
Show
2015

Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me

Self
Show
2015

Jay Leno's GarageStream

Executive Producer
Reality
2015

Jay Leno's GarageStream

Host
Reality
2015

The MuppetsStream

Guest Star
Series
2015
64%

FamelessStream

Guest
Reality
2015

Lip Sync BattleStream

Contestant
Reality
2015

The Nightly Show With Larry WilmoreStream

Guest
Talk
2015
100%

Ted 2Stream

Actor
Himself
Movie
2015
45%

Ted 2Stream

Self
Movie
2015
45%

Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

Actor
Movie
2015

Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas

Voice
Fake Santa No. 1
Show
2014

Jay Leno: The Mark Twain Prize

Guest
Show
2014

The Meredith Vieira Show

Guest
Talk
2014

Jay Leno's Garage: The Ultimate Car Week

Actor
Show
2014

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: Single Shots

Actor
Show
2014

The 7DStream

Guest Voice
Crystal Ball
Series
2014

The 7DStream

Voice
Crystal Ball
Series
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Leno and Fallon: An E! News Special

Actor
Show
2014

Glen Campbell... I'll Be Me

Actor
Movie
2014

Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale

Guest
Show
2013

The Improv: 50 Years Behind the Brick Wall

Actor
Show
2013

The Arsenio Hall Show

Guest
Show
2013

Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas

Guest
Show
2012

Steve Harvey

Guest
Talk
2012

Comedians in Cars Getting CoffeeStream

Guest
Talk
2012

Last Man StandingStream

Guest Star
Joe
Series
2011

Dish Nation

Guest
Talk
2011

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 3D

Actor
Show
2011

After Lately

Guest
Show
2011

Solartaxi: Around the World With the Sun

Actor
Show
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

The 1984 Los Angeles Comedy Competition With Host Jay Leno

Host
Show
2010

Hannah Montana Forever

Guest Star
Jay Leno
Show
2010

Hannah Montana Forever

Self
Show
2010

LouieStream

Guest Star
Jay
Series
2010
93%

The Jay Leno Show

Host
Show
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Love the Beast

Self
Movie
2009

Chasing Classic CarsStream

Self
Reality
2008

His Highness Hollywood

Actor
Movie
2008

IgorStream

Voice
King Malbert
Movie
2008
40%

Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King

Voice
Jack O'Lantern
Movie
2008

Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare

Voice
Murray Hare
Movie
2008

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

Celebrity Rides: Jay's Duesenberg

Actor
Show
2007

Christmas Is Here Again

Voice
The Narrator
Movie
2007

The Legends of Wrestling

Actor
Show
2006

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

America's Got TalentStream

Guest
Reality
2006

Ice Age: The MeltdownStream

Voice
Fast Tony
Movie
2006
57%

The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators!

Voice
Nega-Chin
Movie
2006

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
Show
2005

Wild 'N OutStream

Guest Star
Game Show
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

RobotsStream

Voice
Fire Hydrant
Movie
2005
64%

Celebrity Rides

Self
Show
2004

The Writer's Hot List

Guest
Show
2004

EntourageStream

Guest Star
Jay Leno
Series
2004
65%

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Mr. 3000

Self
Movie
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Last Comic Standing

Guest
Reality
2003

Real Time With Bill MaherStream

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Calendar Girls

Self
Movie
2003

Top GearStream

Guest
Reality
2002

The Olympic Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Host
Show
2002

Jerry Seinfeld: Comedian

Self
Movie
2002
77%

The Bernie Mac ShowStream

Guest Star
Series
2001

ScrubsStream

Guest Star
Jay Leno
Series
2001
83%

The Fairly OddParentsStream

Guest Voice
The Crimson Chin
Series
2001

The West WingStream

Guest Star
Himself
Series
1999
81%

Family Guy

Guest Voice
Himself
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Himself
Series
1999

DilbertStream

Guest Voice
Series
1999

Providence

Guest Star
Series
1999

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?

Actor
Movie
1999

V.I.P.Stream

Guest Star
Series
1998

Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time

Actor
Stand-up
1998

South ParkStream

Guest Voice
Kitty
Series
1997
80%

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Just Shoot MeStream

Guest Star
Himself
Series
1997

Antiques RoadshowStream

Guest
Reality
1997

My Classic Car

Actor
Show
1997

My Classic Car

Guest
Show
1997

Hot Rod TV

Actor
Show
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Muppets Tonight

Guest
Series
1996

JAGStream

Actor
Jay Leno
Series
1995

Caroline in the CityStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

FriendsStream

Guest Star
Himself
Series
1994
78%

Extra

Guest
News
1994

The NannyStream

Guest Star
Series
1993

FrasierStream

Guest Voice
Don
Series
1993
95%

Bob Hope: The First 90 Years

Actor
Show
1993

We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story

Voice
Vorb
Movie
1993

Mad About YouStream

Guest Star
Himself
Series
1992

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Host
Talk
1992

Home ImprovementStream

Guest Star
Series
1991

42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Presentation

Actor
Show
1990

The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

WingsStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Star
Himself
Series
1989
85%

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
Himself
Series
1989
85%

BaywatchStream

Self
Series
1989

SeinfeldStream

Guest Star
Himself
Series
1989
89%

Collision Course

Actor
Detective Tony Costas
Movie
1989

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

Guest
Talk
1986

Dr. Duck's Super Secret All-Purpose Sauce

Self
Movie
1986

Americathon

Actor
Larry Miller
Movie
1979

The Comedy ShopStream

Guest
Series
1978

La Historia de Alan Freed

Actor
Movie
1978

American Hot Wax

Actor
Mookie
Movie
1978

Silver Bears

Actor
Albert Fiore
Movie
1978

AliceStream

Guest Star
Series
1976

Laverne & ShirleyStream

Guest Star
Series
1976

One Day at a TimeStream

Guest Star
Series
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

Good TimesStream

Guest Star
The Young Man
Series
1974

60 MinutesStream

Guest
News
1968

The Dick Cavett ShowStream

Guest
Talk
1968

The Merv Griffin Show

Guest
Talk
1965

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonStream

Guest
Talk
1962

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonStream

Host
Talk
1962

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutJay Leno

Jay Leno and wife Mavis

Jay Leno Seeks Conservatorship Over Wife Mavis, Who’s Living with Dementia

Johnny Carson for 'The Tonight Show'

The Long History of ‘The Tonight Show’ and Its Hosts

Jay Leno in Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge
Exclusive

See Jay Leno’s Reaction to ‘Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge’ SuperFanVan (VIDEO)

Jay Leno on The Kelly Clarkson Show

Jay Leno Shows Off His ‘Brand New Face’ on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ (VIDEO)

Jay Leno on his CNBC show Jay Leno's Garage

Jay Leno Breaks Ribs & Collarbone in Motorcycle Accident, ‘Garage’ Show Gets Axed

Jay Leno on Today show

Jay Leno Tells Hoda Kotb About Horrific Burn Accident: ‘My Face Caught On Fire’ (VIDEO)

Jay Leno arrives at Comedy Magic Club

Jay Leno Wisecracks About Burn Injuries at Comedy Gig After Accident

Jay Leno attends May Contain Nuts! A Night Of Comedy Benefiting WeSPARK Cancer Support Center at Skirball Cultural Center on October 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Jay Leno Released From Burn Center After Garage Fire

Jay Leno's Garage - Jay Leno and Tim Allen

Jay Leno Is ‘Feeling Better’ After Gasoline Fire Injuries, Says Pal Tim Allen

Jay Leno Receives 36th Annual Boston Film Festival's Excellence In Entertainment Award For Jay Leno’s Garage

Jay Leno Hospitalized With Serious Face Burns After Car Catches Fire

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno - Hugh Grant

10 Memorable Moments From Jay Leno’s ‘Tonight Show,’ Now 30 Years Old

'Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses,' Trivia Series, Host Helen Mirren, TBS & Cartoon Network

‘Harry Potter’ Fans Compete for Hogwarts House Supremacy in ‘Tournament of Houses’ Trivia Show (VIDEO)

Jay Leno's Garage CNBC
Exclusive

‘Jay Leno’s Garage’ First Look: Kevin Bacon Reflects on ‘Diner’ & ‘Tremors’ (VIDEO)

Hector Elizondo, Jay Leno, and Jonathan Adams in Last Man Standing - Season 9
Exclusive

‘Last Man Standing’ Guest Star Jay Leno Races Mike to Find the Best Car (VIDEO)

Last Man Standing - Tim Allen and Jay Leno
Exclusive

‘Last Man Standing’: Mike Enlists Joe’s Help for the Chili Cook-Off (VIDEO)

JAY LENO GARAGE
Q&A

Jay Leno on What Makes His ‘Garage’ Celebrity Interviews Different

last man standing chuck wedding
Exclusive

‘Last Man Standing’: Chuck Asks Mike to Be a Special Part of His Wedding (VIDEO)

LMS-S7_EP703_0752_hires2
Exclusive

Sneak Peek at Jay Leno’s Return as Joe on ‘Last Man Standing’ (VIDEO)

Screen Shot 2018-07-25 at 3.06.00 PM
Exclusive

‘Jay Leno’s Garage’ Sneak Peek: Jay Leno & Arnold Schwarzenegger Are up to No Good (VIDEO)

Screen Shot 2018-04-19 at 2.54.59 PM
Exclusive

‘Jay Leno’s Garage’ Sneak Peek: Jamie Foxx Reveals His Most Dangerous Stunts (VIDEO)

MICKEY MOUSE, DONALD DUCK

‘Mickey and the Roadster Racers’ Brings the Speed With Jay Leno, Danica Patrick, Jeff Gordon and more

Last Man Standing - Jay Leno, Jonathan Adams, Hector Elizondo

Jay Leno Plays an Average ‘Joe’ on the ‘Last Man Standing’ Season Finale (PHOTOS)

Last Man Standing - Tim Allen and Jay Leno

First Look: Jay Leno Guest Stars with Pal Tim Allen on ‘Last Man Standing’

TV cars

Jay Leno Picks the 7 Most Iconic Cars From TV History (PHOTOS)

Jay Leno

Jay Leno on His TV Return, Trump Jokes and Why He Didn’t Do Dave

Friends Ross and Rachel

White or Gold, Blue or Black? The TV Standoffs That Feel as Unsolvable as #TheDress Debate of 2015

Leno and Letterman

Letterman Invites Leno on Late Show; Will He Visit?