Biography
James Douglas Muir Leno (; born April 28, 1950) is an American television host, comedian, and writer. After doing stand-up comedy for years, he became the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno from 1992 to 2009. Beginning in September 2009, he started a primetime talk show, The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ET, also on NBC. When it was canceled in January 2010 amid a timeslot and host controversy, Leno returned to hosting The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 1, 2010. He hosted his last episode of this second tenure on February 6, 2014. That year, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. Since 2014, he has hosted Jay Leno's Garage, and the 2021 revival of You Bet Your Life.
Leno writes a regular column in Popular Mechanics showcasing his car collection and giving automotive advice. He also writes occasional "Motormouth" articles for The Sunday Times.
Filmography
All 207
Self 151
Movies 120
TV Shows 87
Voice 12
Writter 2
Narrator 1
Producer 1
Show Business Is My Life (But I Can't Prove It) (2022)
Movie
Self
Betty White: A Celebration (2022)
Movie
Self
Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around (2021)
Movie
Self - Special Guest
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses (2021)
TV Show
Fly
Bug Therapy (2021)
Movie
Self (archive footage)
Jim Carrey, America Unmasked (2021)
Movie
Self (Archival Footage)
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
Movie
6
Host
You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno (2021)
TV Show
Self (Archival Footage)
Untold: Deal with the Devil (2021)
Movie
Self
Hart to Heart (2021)
TV Show
Self (archive footage)
Val (2021)
Movie
Rulon Gardner Won't Die (2021)
Movie
Himself
Des O'Connor: The Ultimate Entertainer (2020)
Movie
Self
The Comedy Store (2020)
TV Show
Self
VOMO: Vote or Miss Out (2020)
Movie
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020)
Movie
Self (archive footage)
The New York Times Presents (2020)
TV Show
Self
Skrrt with Offset (2020)
TV Show
Billy Beagle
Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2019)
TV Show
Himself
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits (2019)
Movie
Himself
The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019)
TV Show
9
Self
Rodman: For Better or Worse (2019)
Movie
Self - Panelist
Lights Out with David Spade (2019)
TV Show
Self
Peyton's Places (2019)
TV Show
Self
Jeff Dunham: Talking Heads (2019)
Movie
Self
Chasing Perfect (2019)
Movie
Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate (2019)
Movie
Himself
Drive Like Andretti (2019)
Movie
Self (archive footage)
Luke Perry: In His Own Words (2019)
Movie
Himself
The Kominsky Method (2018)
TV Show
5.83
Self
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling (2018)
TV Show
6
Self (archive footage)
Dirty Money (2018)
TV Show
Himself
I Am Sam Kinison (2017)
Movie
Himself
A Very Pentatonix Christmas (2017)
Movie
Himself
Jerry Before Seinfeld (2017)
Movie
6
Self
Carpool Karaoke: The Series (2017)
TV Show
Self (archive footage)
The Nineties (2017)
TV Show
Self - Guest
Crazy America (2017)
Movie
Self
Gilbert (2017)
Movie
Testimonial
Sandy Wexler (2017)
Movie
6
Himself
Diamond Dallas Page: Positively Living (2017)
Movie
Self
Abstract: The Art of Design (2017)
TV Show
4.4
Billy Beagle / Bill Beagle / Bubba Beagle
Mickey and the Roadster Racers (2017)
TV Show
Billy Beagle / Bill Beagle / Bubba Beagle
Mickey and the Roadster Racers (2017)
Movie
Himself (uncredited)
Bleed for This (2016)
Movie
1
Ask the Storybots (2016)
TV Show
5.5
Self - Surprise Appearance
First Impressions (2016)
TV Show
Self - Host
Le vrai lieu (2016)
Movie
Join or Die with Craig Ferguson (2016)
TV Show
5.85
Self - Host / Self
Jay Leno's Garage (2015)
TV Show
Himself
The Muppets (2015)
TV Show
3.5
Self (archive footage)
Amy (2015)
Movie
6
Jay Leno
Ted 2 (2015)
Movie
6.94
Self
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman (2015)
Movie
Self
StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson (2015)
TV Show
Self
Lip Sync Battle (2015)
TV Show
4.2
Self
The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015)
TV Show
9
Fake Santa #1 (voice)
Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas (2014)
Movie
8
Self
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: Single Shot (2014)
TV Show
Self
Good Morning Britain (2014)
TV Show
Self
Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me (2014)
Movie
Himself
Eat Drink Laugh: The Story of The Comic Strip (2014)
Movie
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014)
TV Show
6.26
Himself
Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale (2013)
Movie
Himself
Delivery Man (2013)
Movie
6.5
Himself
Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas (2012)
Movie
Self
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012)
TV Show
5
Self
Solartaxi: Around the World with the Sun (2012)
Movie
Self
Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl (2012)
Movie
Himself
Johnny Carson: King of Late Night (2012)
Movie
Joe
Last Man Standing (2011)
TV Show
7.2
Self
Rocket City Rednecks (2011)
TV Show
Self - on The Tonight Show (archive footage)
The Undefeated (2011)
Movie
Self
Boys of Bonneville (2011)
Movie
Self (archive footage)
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
Movie
7
Himself
Episodes (2011)
TV Show
6.4
Himself
Katt Williams: 9 Lives (2010)
Movie
6
Jay Leno (uncredited)
I'm Still Here (2010)
Movie
Self
Back From Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison (2010)
Movie
Self - Host
The Jay Leno Show (2009)
TV Show
5.78
Self
Annul Victory (2009)
Movie
Himself
Love the Beast (2009)
Movie
Jack O'Lantern (voice)
Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King (2008)
Movie
7
Himself
His Highness Hollywood (2008)
Movie
King Malbert (voice)
Igor (2008)
Movie
8
Murray Hare (voice)
Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare (2008)
Movie
5.61
Himself
The Great Buck Howard (2008)
Movie
Jay Leno
Kissology: The Ultimate KISS Collection Vol. 3 (1992-2000) (2007)
Movie
Himself
Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains (2007)
Movie
6
The Narrator
Christmas Is Here Again (2007)
Movie
6
Self
Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007)
TV Show
6.41
Self
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007)
Movie
Jay Leno
Underdog (2007)
Movie
6.14
Chelsea Lately (2007)
TV Show
3.25
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s (2007)
Movie
Self
Living With Ed (2007)
TV Show
Himself
The Astronaut Farmer (2006)
Movie
6
Writer
Carson Country (2006)
Movie
Nega-Chin (voice)
Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators! (2006)
Movie
Himself
a/k/a Tommy Chong (2006)
Movie
Jay Limo (voice)
Cars (2006)
Movie
6.5
Fast Tony (voice)
Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
Movie
6.25
Jay Leno
Hannah Montana (2006)
TV Show
5.84
Flamethrower
Tales of the Rat Fink (2006)
Movie
Fire Hydrant (voice)
Robots (2005)
Movie
6.57
Self
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005)
TV Show
6.08
Himself
Harley-Davidson: The Spirit of America (2005)
Movie
Jay Leno
First Daughter (2004)
Movie
6.67
Self
Joey (2004)
TV Show
6
Entourage (2004)
TV Show
6.09
Jay Leno
Mr. 3000 (2004)
Movie
6
Self
Stuck on You (2003)
Movie
6.3
Self
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003)
TV Show
5.15
Leo Louse
Jacob Two-Two (2003)
TV Show
Himself
Calendar Girls (2003)
Movie
8
Self
Celebrities Uncensored (2003)
TV Show
Self
Real Time with Bill Maher (2003)
TV Show
6.5
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003)
TV Show
6.3
Self
Paul McCartney: Back in the U.S. (2002)
Movie
Himself
Jerry Seinfeld - Comedian (2002)
Movie
Self - Judge
Pet Star (2002)
TV Show
Self
The Anna Nicole Show (2002)
TV Show
Himself
Juwanna Mann (2002)
Movie
Jay Leno
John Q (2002)
Movie
6
Producer
Roadside Attractions (2002)
Movie
The Bernie Mac Show (2001)
TV Show
7
Jay Leno
Scrubs (2001)
TV Show
6.72
The Crimson Chin (voice) / The Crimson Chin / The Nega-Chin (voice) / The Crimson Chin / Self (voice) / Crimson Chin Doll (voice) / The Crimson Chin / Nega-Chin (voice)
The Fairly OddParents (2001)
TV Show
6.53
DAG (2000)
TV Show
Jay Leno
Space Cowboys (2000)
Movie
6
Self
Genie Gets Her Wish (2000)
Movie
Arista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebration (2000)
Movie
Titus (2000)
TV Show
6
Self (uncredited)
Y2K (1999)
Movie
Jay Leno
The West Wing (1999)
TV Show
5.66
Jay Leno
Edtv (1999)
Movie
5.5
Jay Leno (voice) / Jay Leno / Mayor Jay Leno (voice)
Family Guy (1999)
TV Show
6.14
Himself (voice)
Dilbert (1999)
TV Show
6
Lucky the Dog (voice)
Providence (1999)
TV Show
4.75
Jay Leno
V.I.P. (1998)
TV Show
6
Himself
Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time (1998)
Movie
Self
WCW Road Wild 1998 (1998)
Movie
Himself
Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's (1998)
Movie
Himself
Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh? (1998)
Movie
Jay Leno
Wag the Dog (1997)
Movie
5.4
Jay Leno
Mad City (1997)
Movie
Jay Leno (uncredited)
In & Out (1997)
Movie
6
South Park (1997)
TV Show
6.29
Self
The View (1997)
TV Show
8
Himself
Contact (1997)
Movie
5.17
Himself
Just Shoot Me! (1997)
TV Show
8
Jay Leno
Meet Wally Sparks (1997)
Movie
Self
Love in Hollywood (1996)
Movie
Jay Leno (uncredited)
The Birdcage (1996)
Movie
6
Jay Leno (uncredited)
3rd Rock from the Sun (1996)
TV Show
5.98
The Show Formerly Known as the Martin Short Show (1995)
Movie
Jay Frog (voice)
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995)
TV Show
Jay Leno
Friends (1994)
TV Show
6.65
Self
Bill Hicks: It's Just a Ride (1994)
Movie
Self
Inside the Actors Studio (1994)
TV Show
Bedrock's Most Wanted Host
The Flintstones (1994)
Movie
5.5
Self (archive footage)
Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! (1994)
Movie
Jay Leno
Major League II (1994)
Movie
5.42
Self
Look Who's Laughing (1994)
Movie
Self
Day of Reckoning (1994)
Movie
Magazine Cameo
Top Slots - Spotting the Best (1994)
Movie
Self
Totally Bill Hicks (1994)
Movie
Himself
Wayne's World 2 (1993)
Movie
5.79
Self
Modern Marvels (1993)
TV Show
Vorb (voice)
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993)
Movie
Don (voice)
Frasier (1993)
TV Show
5.35
Self - Guest
Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993)
TV Show
6
Self
Dave (1993)
Movie
4.25
Homicide: Life on the Street (1993)
TV Show
6
Himself
Mad About You (1992)
TV Show
5.67
Jay Leno
The Larry Sanders Show (1992)
TV Show
Self - Host / Self / From New York
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
TV Show
5.75
Jay
Home Improvement (1991)
TV Show
7
Jay Leno
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
TV Show
6.69
Wings (1990)
TV Show
6.4
Jay Leno (voice)
The Simpsons (1989)
TV Show
6.23
Jay Leno
Seinfeld (1989)
TV Show
5.99
Detective Tony Costas
Collision Course (1989)
Movie
LIVE with Kelly and Ryan (1988)
TV Show
Self
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988)
Movie
Writer
Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour (1987)
Movie
Self
The Jay Leno Special (1986)
Movie
Self
Disneyland's Summer Vacation Party (1986)
Movie
Self
Jay Leno: The American Dream (1986)
Movie
Self
Doctor Duck's Super Secret All-Purpose Sauce (1986)
Movie
Self
Madame's Place (1982)
TV Show
Self / Self - Guest
Late Night with David Letterman (1982)
TV Show
8.33
Larry Miller (Poopy Butt)
Americathon (1979)
Movie
Mookie
American Hot Wax (1978)
Movie
Albert Fiore
Silver Bears (1977)
Movie
Carpenter (uncredited)
Fun with Dick and Jane (1977)
Movie
Alice (1976)
TV Show
7.17
Laverne & Shirley (1976)
TV Show
5
Self (uncredited) / Self - Host / Frank Jenkins / Jackie Niles / Various
Saturday Night Live (1975)
TV Show
6.36
Good Times (1974)
TV Show
10
Self
60 Minutes (1968)
TV Show
6
Self - Guest Host
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
TV Show
6
Self
The Emmy Awards (1949)
TV Show
6.08
Self
My Classic Car
TV Show
Self
Speed is Expensive: Philip Vincent and the Million Dollar Motorcycle
Movie
Ed Sullivan
Midas Man
Movie
Self - Host
Classmate
Movie
Ratings
Average 6.41
Based on 6.77 Million movie and tv ratings over time
1949
1997
2006
1997
2022
Gallery
Information
Known forActing
GenderMale
Birthday1950-04-28 (73 years old)
Birth nameJames Douglas Muir Leno
Place of birthNew Rochelle, United States of America
SpouseMavis Leno
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also known asJames Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno
Awardsstar on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Primetime Emmy Award
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
