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Jay Leno
- Jay Leno is an American television host, comedian, and automotive engineer.
- He hosted *The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno* from 1992 to 1999 and again from 1999 to 2009.
- Before hosting *The Tonight Show*, he was a cast member on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*.
- Leno has a long-standing passion for classic and custom automobiles.
- He owns and operates Jay Leno's Garage, a museum and entertainment venue showcasing his extensive car collection.
- He was born on August 26, 1950, in Glendale, California.
- He graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Computer Engineering.
- Leno has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work as a comedian and television host.
- He has published several books, including "Jay Leno's Everyday Eats."
- He has been married twice; to Sherry Sheinberg from 1990 to 2008 and Mavis Roach for a brief period in the early 1970s.
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Career
- Jay Leno began his career as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco in the early 1970s.
- He gained national recognition as a touring comedian in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Leno was a regular panelist on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson* for over 15 years, starting in 1982.
- He replaced Carson as the host of *The Tonight Show* in 1992, serving as host until 2009.
- Before hosting *The Tonight Show*, Leno hosted *Tonight's Band* (1989-1992) and *Jay Leno Specials* (1983-1992).
- He hosted *Evolution* (2003-2004), a short-lived variety show.
- Leno hosted *The App* (2014-2019), a daytime talk show for children.
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Late Night Talk Show Host
- Jay Leno began his career as a cartoonist for *American Pie* in 1976.
- He worked as a writer for *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson* from 1982 to 1992.
- Leno served as a writer and head writer for *Tonight Show with David Letterman* from 1993 to 1995.
- He hosted *The Jay Leno Show* on NBC from September 30, 1992, to August 30, 1999.
- Leno hosted *The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno* from September 14, 1999, to February 1, 2009.
- During his tenure on *The Tonight Show*, he maintained the highest ratings in the late-night comedy genre.
- He was known for his extensive celebrity interviews and comedic bits.
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Stand-up Comedian
- Jay Leno began his stand-up comedy career in the late 1970s, performing at clubs in Los Angeles.
- He honed his skills at The Comedy Store and other prominent LA venues.
- Leno appeared on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson* as a regular guest, often performing five-minute sets.
- He developed a strong rapport with Carson and became a staple of the show.
- Leno's comedic style was characterized by observational humor, self-deprecating jokes, and impressions.
- Before hosting *The Tonight Show*, Leno performed extensively on late-night television as a guest host.
- Early in his stand-up career, he wrote for *Wheeler Dealers*.
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Television Host
- Jay Leno began his television career as a writer for *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*.
- He served as Carson's announcer from 1982 to 1992.
- Leno was Carson's frequent guest and often filled in for him during absences.
- He became the host of *The Tonight Show* in 1992, succeeding Carson.
- Leno hosted *The Tonight Show* for 17 years.
- He developed a reputation for his comedic bits and celebrity interviews.
- Leno's tenure as host included significant changes in the show's format and style.
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Personal Life
- Jay Leno is married to Mavis Grossman, whom he married in 1990.
- They have two daughters together: Callie and Ginny.
- Leno has been married twice previously, first to Sheila Laverty (1970-1971) and then to Kim Carson (1982-1988).
- He has four grandchildren.
- Leno has a passion for classic cars and owns a vast collection.
- He graduated from Pasadena City College.
- He has a younger brother, Tommy Leno, who is a physician.
- Leno has spoken publicly about his struggles with dyslexia.
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Family
- Jay Leno was born on February 26, 1950, in San Francisco, California.
- His parents are Ruth and Paul Leno.
- He has a younger sister named Meg.
- Leno was married to Julia Romanoff from 1990 to 1997.
- He has two children: daughter Callie Lane Leno (born 1998) and son Sam Leno (born 2000), both from previous relationships.
- Leno has six grandchildren.
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Father: Mickie Leonard
- Jay Leno's first wife, Mickie Leonard, married him in 1970.
- They divorced in 1971.
- Mickie Leonard has two children with Jay Leno: Gunther Leno and Alexander Leno.
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Mother: Maddalena Evans
- Jay Leno's mother is Maddalena Evans.
- Maddalena Evans is his birth mother.
- Jay Leno was adopted at the age of 4.
- His adoptive father was Bruce Evans.
- Maddalena Evans had a prior son named Kyle Evans, who is Jay Leno's half-brother.
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Relationships
- Jay Leno was born on 25, January 1950 in Sonoma County, California.
- His parents are Ruth and Paul Leno.
- He has one older sister, Jane Leno.
- He was raised in San Francisco.
- He was married to Sherry Sheinberg from 1990 to 2008.
- They have two sons together: Gunner Leno and Hannibal Leno.
- Leno has been married to Mavis Grossman since 2010.
- He has four grandchildren.
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Partner: Meleney Schaffer
- Jay Leno married Meleney Schaffer in 1990.
- Meleney Schaffer is Jay Leno's second wife.
- They have two sons together: Gunther Leno and Hannibal Leno.
- Meleney Schaffer was previously married to Ed Schrute.
- Jay Leno and Meleney Schaffer are still married.
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Children
- Jay Leno is married to Meleney Schaffer.
- Meleney Schaffer is a former model.
- Meleney Schaffer was married to wrestler Rodman Schaffer.
- They have two sons together: Gunther Leno Schaffer and Jack Leno Schaffer.
- Jay Leno has five grandchildren through his marriage to Meleney Schaffer.
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Melnely Schaffer
- Jay Leno married Meleney Schaffer on June 19, 2004.
- Melnely Schaffer is a former model.
- Melnely Schaffer has three children with Jay Leno: Gunther Leno, Vinnie Leno and Isobel Leno.
- Melnely Schaffer is the widow of actor Charlie Shaw.
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Siblings
- Jay Leno has two older sisters: Vivian Leno and Jane Leno.
- He was born on January 26, 1950, in Long Beach, California.
- His father, J.D. Leno, was a mechanic and his mother, Patricia, was a former beauty queen.
- He has five nieces and nephews.
- He has four children: Christopher, Sam, Lucy, and Ginny.
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Ed Leno
- Jay Leno has two older sisters: Sherry Adams and Jana Leno.
- His older brother, Ed Leno, passed away in 1972 at the age of 15 due to a brain tumor.
- Jay Leno was adopted as a baby.
- His adoptive parents were Robert and Dorothy Leno.
- He has two children: Lucy Leno and Ginny Leno.
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Life Events
- Jay Leno was born on February 27, 1950, in Glendale, California.
- He was raised by his grandparents, George and Rosalie Leno, after his parents divorced when he was six years old.
- Leno is a first cousin to comedian Conan O'Brien.
- He graduated from Lane Tech High School in Chicago, Illinois.
- He dated Kelly Simmonds from 1972 to 1973.
- He married Laura Emmanuelle Boudinent in 1973, and they divorced in 1982.
- He married Mavis Thurman in 1982, and they had one daughter, Callie Leno, born in 1983.
- He married Lynda Benglis in 2004.
- Leno and Lynda Benglis divorced in 2012.
- He has five grandchildren.
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Date of Birth: December 25, 1947
- Jay Leno was born on December 25, 1947.
- He was born in San Francisco, California.
- He has a younger sister named Jane.
- He attended Lawndale High School in Los Angeles.
- Leno briefly attended Castleton University in Vermont.
- He married Julia Newman in 1970, and they divorced in 1990.
- He married Devine Lucie Browne in 1990, and they have two sons together.
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Place of Birth: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Jay Leno was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.