Jay Leno, the renowned former host of The Tonight Show, faced a series of tragic events in the latter part of 2022, leading to significant physical ailments. The first incident involved a car fire in his Los Angeles garage, resulting in severe second and third-degree burns. Leno spent nine days at the Grossman Burn Center for treatment.
Despite this traumatic experience, fate had more challenges in store for the 73-year-old comedian. He later suffered two cracked ribs and a shattered collarbone in a motorcycle accident. Undeterred by these setbacks, Leno exhibited an unyielding spirit, continuing his career with shows like Jay Leno’s Garage and the NBC game show You Bet Your Life.
In an exclusive interview during the Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge premiere, Leno addressed retirement, expressing a firm commitment to continue his career until health issues, particularly a stroke, intervened. He asserted, “That’s when you retire when you have your stroke.” Leno showcased remarkable fortitude as he recovered from the incidents and returned to public life.
Reflecting on the car fire incident, Leno acknowledged the occupational risks of working on cars, emphasizing the severity of this particular catastrophe. He underwent skin grafting procedures and hyperbaric chamber sessions to aid healing. Remarkably, he chose to abstain from painkillers, viewing their use as a reminder of his error and a means of staying connected to his situation.
Throughout his challenging recovery, Leno received overwhelming support from family and friends, including gestures from notable figures like John Travolta, Tom Selleck, and Russell Crowe. The outpouring of love highlighted Leno’s significant influence and the depth of friendships cultivated over his illustrious career.