Jay Leno has returned to work just weeks after being burned in a car garage fire, and he’s making light of the whole situation.
Jay Leno is a TV icon.
The comedian is most well known for hosting NBC’s The Tonight Show.
But he actually started out his career doing stand-up comedy.
He made his first appearance on The Tonight Show back in 1977, performing a comedy routine he had written.
And it was an instant hit.
This propelled him into the spotlight, and he went on to appear in a range of television shows and movies as minor characters.
First in Good Times, followed by Holmes & Yo-Yo, and then the movie Fun with Dick and Jane.
He then took on more substantial parts in American Hot Wax and Silver Bears.
It’s clear his passion is for performing.
And he found his calling when it came to hosting.
It all started in 1986…
Leno became a regular substitute host for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.
Then after gaining popularity, in 1992, he replaced Carson as host.
This was actually a controversial move at the time as David Letterman, who had been hosting Late Night with David Letterman, was allegedly a shoo-in to be the next host.
However, that didn’t stop Leno from taking on the mantle from Carson.
And he quickly made it his own.
But he never gave up stand-up comedy.
He continued to perform while also hosting the show.
Leno went on to be the host until 2009.
After which Conan O’Brien signed a contract with NBC to become the show’s host replacing the comedian.
It’s certainly been a rollercoaster for the star.
And things haven’t always been easy…
In recent years, Leno has revealed that he suffers from high cholesterol.
Something that has been plaguing him for several years.
He even posted a video back in 2019, urging people to get frequent cholesterol checkups.
“There’s a lot of people walking around like that, they’re just time bombs. You’ve got all this cholesterol, you don’t realize it until it actually hits, you know?” Leno said at the time.
“It’s like in a car, if even one piece of dirt gets in the eye of the needle of the jet, and boom and no more gas comes through. And that’s what happens with your heart.”
So after hearing the news that he recently suffered a “serious medical emergency” many fans took to social media to share their thoughts, with some thinking it was health-related…
One fan wrote: “Oh no. He’s always been my favorite. I hope he will be ok!”
While another commented: “He has never been anything but kind and caring to everyone he comes in contact with. From the gas station attendant to the cashier at McDonald’s. He is the most down-to-earth man ever. May you heal quickly and be free of pain dear soul.”
“Praying for a quick recovery. We still need people like him to make us laugh in this cruel world,” a third wrote.
TMZ reported that Leno was rushed to the hospital on Sunday after a fire broke out at his Los Angeles Burbank garage.
Leno has an impressive car collection that he’s been adding to for years, and he’s certainly a master when it comes to the history of his cars…
Leno’s car collection has a whopping 181 cars and 160 motorcycles.
It’s reportedly worth over $52 million!
But recently, Leno had a tragic accident at his garage.
One of his cars reportedly burst into flames leaving Leno with severe burns to the left side of his face.
He was taken to the Grossman Burn Center where he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.
People magazine was the first to share the news…
Leno was meant to make an appearance at the Las Vegas financial conference on Sunday.
Sadly, because of the “serious medical emergency,” he had to cancel.
Although details about his severe facial burns weren’t shared at the time.
An email was sent out to attendees, it read: “His family was not able to provide us very many details, but there was a very serious medical emergency that is preventing Jay from traveling.
“All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight.”
The comedian has since spoken out and is reportedly stable.
Leno said in a statement: “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am ok. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
According to the Daily Mail, Dr. Peter H Grossman said that Leno is in good condition.
“It helps decrease swelling, it helps increase blood flow with good oxygenation and it helps decrease bacteria,” Dr. Grossman told Inside Edition.
“He’s had grafts that are not his own, meaning the skin we have from a skin bank or a donor, that’s what we do as a first stage,” he added.
Dr. Grossman also said last week that Leno may have additionally suffered some third-degree burns and will have another surgery later this week.
In spite of his injuries, Grossman described Leno as a “kind and engaging patient.”
He also said that Leno is in “good spirits” and is doing well.
But that’s not all…
Leno reportedly handed out cookies to children being treated at the Southern California hospital.
Dr. Grossman also revealed that Leno will make a full recovery from his injuries but did not specify how long the process could take.
“As I’m getting to know Jay, I don’t think it’s going to be months,” he said.
“I think he’s the kind of guy who’s gonna move forward,” Dr. Grossman added.
Leno was then pictured for the first time after his brutal accident.
According to reports, Leno was seen in a video laying down in a blue hospital gown while he moved around his bandaged arms.
Since then, he’s been discharged from the hospital after his ten-day stay.
Following his release, a photo has been shared that shows him smiling with some of the staff who’ve been treating him.
The photo clearly shows the severe burn marks on Leno’s chin, neck, and hands.
The burn center noted: “Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received and is very appreciative of all the well wishes.
“He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends, and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.”
You can see the photo here.
Shockingly, Leno returned to work just 2 weeks after the accident.
According to reports, he returned to perform stand-up comedy on Sunday, November 27, for the first time.
The fire left him with burns on 7% of his body and in light of the accident and his injuries, he assured the cameras: “I feel good.”
“I never thought of myself as a roast comic,” he told reporters.
“We’ve got two shows tonight: regular and extra crispy,” Leno added.
And he recently made light of his injuries to the Wall Street Journal.
“Eight days later, I had a brand new face,” the comedian wrote about his facial burns. “And it’s better than what was there before.”
“It was an accident, that’s all,” Leno wrote. “Anybody who works with their hands on a regular basis is going to have an accident at some point. If you play football, you get a concussion or a broken leg. Anything you do, there’s a risk factor.”
“You have to joke about it,” he added.
“There’s nothing worse than whiny celebrities. If you joke about it, people laugh along with you.”
We’re glad he’s back to his old self.