James Douglas Muir Leno is an American television host, writer and comedian. After doing stand-up comedy for years, he became the host of NBC's The Tonight Show from 1992 until 2009 when Conan O'Brien took over as host. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ET, also on NBC. O'Brien turned down NBC's offer to have Leno host a half hour monologue show before The Tonight Show to boost ratings amid reported viewership diminishing, which sparked the 2010 Tonight Show conflict that resulted in Leno returning to hosting the show on March 1, 2010. He hosted his last episode of his second tenure on February 6, 2014. That year, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. From 2014 to 2022, he hosted Jay Leno's Garage, and from 2021 to 2023, hosted the revival of You Bet Your Life.
Leno was born April 28, 1950, in New Rochelle, New York. His homemaker mother, Catherine (née Muir; 1911–1993), was born in Greenock, Scotland, and came to the United States at age 11. His father, Angelo (1910–1994), was an insurance salesman born in New York to immigrants from Flumeri, Campania, Italy. Leno grew up in Andover, Massachusetts and graduated from Andover High School. He obtained a bachelor's degree in speech therapy from Emerson College in Boston, where he started a comedy club in 1973. His older brother, Patrick (May 12, 1940 – October 6, 2002), was a Vietnam War veteran who became an attorney.
Date of Birth | 28th April 1950 |
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Age | 74 Years |
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Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
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Country | United States of America |
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Current City | New Rochelle |
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Birth Place | New Rochelle |
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Nationality | United States of America |
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Citizenship | United States of America |
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Language | English |
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Signature | |
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Reference | IMDB |
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Education |
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Emerson College, Bentley University, Andover High School |
Instruments | voice |
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Occupation | stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, journalist, television presenter, singer, dancer, voice actor, comedian, television actor, YouTuber, television producer, writer |
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Awards |
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- Primetime Emmy Award
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
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