Let’s talk about Jay Leno, the legendary comedian and former host of The Tonight Show. You probably know him for his quick wit and ability to make even the most serious topics a little lighter. But even Jay knows that laughter isn’t always the answer. In a candid conversation with Closer Weekly, the 68-year-old icon opens up about his views on comedy, heart health, and life itself. “People always say laughter is the best medicine,” Jay says. “But let’s be real—it’s not! If that were true, comedians would be headlining hospital rooms every weekend. And trust me, they’re not.”
Partnering for Heart Health Awareness
Jay’s not just about making people laugh anymore; he’s also passionate about spreading awareness about heart health. He’s now working with Amgen on a campaign called Cholesterol 911, encouraging folks to have important conversations with their doctors about heart-related issues. “It all started for me back in 2001,” Jay recalls. “Rodney Dangerfield was on my show, and something just didn’t seem right. He looked off, so I told my producer to call the paramedics. Turns out, Rodney had suffered a ministroke. The paramedics said, ‘You might’ve saved him from a heart attack.’ That’s when it hit me—getting checked matters. It really doesn’t hurt to be proactive.”
A Snapshot of Jay’s Personal Life
On the personal front, Jay has been happily married to Mavis Leno for over four decades. How do they keep the spark alive after all these years? Jay jokes, “Here’s the secret: don’t cheat! Men can leave their underwear hanging around the house for years, and it won’t cause a problem. But one little slip-up, and suddenly, it’s over. You can get away with a lot if you just stick to that golden rule.”
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Modern Comedy: A New Landscape
Jay still tunes in to late-night talk shows to see how the new generation handles their monologues. But he notices a big difference in today’s comedy landscape. “Back in my day, people would argue about whether I leaned more Democrat or Republican,” he explains. “They couldn’t figure out my politics because I made fun of everyone equally. Now, though, it’s all so one-sided. The jokes are often about the same subjects, which makes it tough to keep things fresh.”
Lessons Learned: The Power of Kindness
Despite his reputation as a sharp-witted comedian, Jay has learned some valuable life lessons along the way. One of the most important? Being kind. “Kindness goes a long way,” he says. “Every living creature on this planet responds well to it—cats, dogs, humans, even monkeys. If you treat people decently, they’ll treat you the same way. It never fails.”
This philosophy extends to how Jay treats his guests. He recalls meeting a young Brie Larson during her early days in the entertainment industry. “Brie’s first gig was on a Barbie sketch on The Tonight Show. I remember her as this sweet, little kid, and she still remembers me being kind to her. That’s pretty cool.”
Life After The Tonight Show
Jay continues to thrive in the world of comedy, touring as a stand-up comedian and hosting Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBC. He shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. “I’m enjoying this phase of life more than ever,” he says. “Working is what I do—it’s who I am.” And that’s no joke.
If you want to dive deeper into Jay Leno’s world, grab the latest issue of Closer Weekly, available now at newsstands. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for exclusive updates!
