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Jay Leno Biography

Birth Name:James Douglas Muir Leno

Birth Place:New Rochelle, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Began serving as the grand marshal for the Love Ride charity in 1985 to help raise money for muscular dystrophy research and the Autism Speaks organization
Inducted into the Television Arts and Sciences' Hall of Fame in early 2014
Donated $100,000 in 2001 to the Feminist Majority's campaign to help stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan
Earned a bachelor's degree in speech therapy in 1973 from Emerson College in Boston
Testified for the defense in the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson
Started a comedy club in 1973 at Emerson College
Quote: "I enjoy being a road comic again․ It's really fun to concentrate on a joke․ When I did 'The Tonight Show,' I did different jokes in the same place․ Now I do the same jokes in different places․"
Quote: "I like cars and motorcycles․ I love working with my hands ․․․ In the comedy business, some people think you're funny․ Some people don't․ It's personal taste․ When you fix something that's not working, nobody can say it's not running․"
Widely recognized for his large chin and for his "Headlines" segment on "The Tonight Show․"
Wrote alongside future late-night rival David Letterman on the staff of "Good Times․"
Worked 300 nights a year performing stand-up in comedy clubs before hosting his own late-night show

Awards

1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: winner
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs: winner
2012People's Choice Award-Favorite Late Night TV Host: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short-Format Nonfiction Program: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series: nominated