In the second half of 2022, Jay Leno, the former host of The Tonight Show, faced a series of unfortunate events that put him through multiple health challenges.
The first incident happened in 2021 when Leno, then 73, suffered severe injuries in a car fire at his Los Angeles home. He was working on one of his beloved vintage cars in his small garage, unaware that the day would become unforgettable.
The accident caused serious second and third-degree burns, landing him in the hospital for nine days at the prestigious Grossman Burn Center in West Hills.
But fate wasn’t done testing Leno’s resilience.
While riding his motorcycle, he had another mishap, resulting in a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs, and other injuries.
Despite these hurdles, Leno’s spirit stayed strong. He now hosts two exciting shows: NBC’s You Bet Your Life and Jay Leno’s Garage.
At the premiere of Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge, Leno opened up about his eventual plans to step back from public life. He revealed that he had no immediate plans to retire until a stroke made him reconsider. He simply said, “Then you slow down.”
He expressed his intention to keep working as long as his health allowed, adding, “That’s when you retire, when you have your stroke.” His resilience was evident as he bounced back from these setbacks.
After a long hospital stay, where he learned about skin grafting, Leno quickly got back to driving and revisited the sites of his accidents.
He received a warm welcome back to the stage at the Comedy Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California, with loud applause from the audience.
One month after the car fire, in an interview, Leno talked about the dangers of working on cars. He said, “Working with cars leads to a lot of accidents,” and noted that this particular incident was especially severe. He recalled the intense burning sensation on his face, likening it to a severe sunburn.
In the hospital, he underwent two painful skin grafts and participated in hyperbaric chamber sessions to help his skin heal. Remarkably, he chose not to take any painkillers, viewing them as a painful reminder of his mistakes.
Leno’s fame and influence were clear from the outpouring of support he received from celebrities and friends.
During his recovery, his wife Mavis shared stories of support from notable personalities like Tom Selleck, Russell Crowe, and John Travolta. They showed their support with gestures like sending flowers and gifts. These acts deeply touched the couple, highlighting the strong friendships they had formed over their remarkable lives together.
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