All of TVGuide.com Videos Only

Jay Leno

Celebrity

Jay Leno: Biography

20 photos

Birth Name: James Douglas Muir Leno
Birth Place: New Rochelle, NY
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 04/28/1950, Taurus
Profession: Talk-show host; comedian; author

User Rating:

(75 ratings)
Add Your Rating:

His unconventional looks, nasal timbre and topical humor have helped make Leno one of the most recognizable personalities in the business. In the '70s, the big-chinned comic toured as a stand-up — sometimes booking as many as 300 gigs annually — and made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In the '80s, Leno warmed Carson's seat as the show's regular guest host and became his official successor in 1992, much to the chagrin of competitor David Letterman who had his eye on the job. Off-screen, Leno is married with no children and is beloved for his down-to-earth, regular-guy persona.Jay Leno Fast Facts:

Moved to L.A. after college and did some writing for the sitcom Good Times during the 1970s.
Helped raise $430,000 for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by auctioning off a one-of-a-kind Porsche Carrera GT.
Collects motorcycles and antique cars, and writes a column for Popular Mechanics called Jay Leno's Garage.
Wrote several books, including How to Be the Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World (or Just in Your Class), a collection of jokes and riddles that also gives advice to kids on succeeding as a comedian.

Jay Leno Relationships:
Angelo Leno - Father
Cathryn Leno - Mother
Mavis Nicholson - Wife
Patrick Leno - Brother
Jay Leno Awards:
2008 Emmy: Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs - Nominee
2009 Emmy: Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs - Nominee
2006 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host - Winner
1998 Emmy: Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
2005 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
2005 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
1993 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
1994 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
1995 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Winner
1996 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
1998 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
1999 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
1999 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
2000 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
2000 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
2002 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
2002 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
2003 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
2003 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
College:
Emerson College, Boston, MA (BA, Speech Therapy, 1973)