Known for his work ethic and his "nice" demeanor. He started his career as a stand up comic performing in nightclubs, bars and any place that would give him even five minutes of stage time. Though he had made the occasional foray onto television in the form of The Tonight Show, then hosted by Johnny Carson, stardom eluded him and he continued to work wherever they would let him. It has been reported that Leno would sometimes work as many as eight or nine clubs in one evening. He began making more frequent appearances on television when many of his friends and contemporaries became more influential on late night programs. Leno made a record number of appearances on Late Night with David Letterman. His popularity was noted by NBC executives, who decided to make Leno his permanent guest host for The Tonight Show when Joan Rivers[?] left that position.
When Carson retired in 1992 Jay Leno became the new permanent host of The Tonight Show. Carson, who wanted the show to go to Letterman, suggested that his friend leave the network. Letterman soon signed a deal with CBS.
He appears on a cartoon show called The Fairly Oddparents as Crimson Chin[?].
Search Encyclopedia
|
Featured Article
|