Comedian Jay Leno suffers facial burns in car fire in his Los Angeles garage

Former chatshow host’s car burst into flames

Jay Leno. Photograph: John Salangsang/Invision/AP
Jay Leno. Photograph: John Salangsang/Invision/AP

Comedian Jay Leno was taken to hospital after his face was burned in his Los Angeles garage when one of his cars burst into flames.

The left side of former The Tonight Show host’s face was burned, but Leno’s eye and ear were not severely damaged.

Leno confirmed the news to Variety, saying 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.”

The website Deadline confirmed the gasoline fire.

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He had been scheduled to attend a Las Vegas financial conference on Sunday, but plans were cancelled following his burn injuries, which were not shared publicly at the time.

Leno, 72, was one of America’s most-watched late night TV hosts, attracting around 4.8 million viewers to his five nights-a-week show. In 2009, he left the show and was replaced by Conan O’Brien.

Since leaving The Tonight Show, Leno began his own CNBC series called Jay Leno’s Garage in 2015 and started hosting the You Bet Your Life revival in 2021. - Reuters

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