Topline
Comedian Jay Leno was injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this month, he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, just months after he sustained serious third-degree burns on his body and face in a gasoline fire.
Jay Leno attends the 20th Anniversary Hudson River Park gala at Hudson River Park’s Pier 62 on … [+]
Key Facts
On January 17, 72-year-old Leno—a longtime car and motorcycle collector—was test driving a 1940 Indian motorcycle when he noticed the scent of leaking gas, prompting him to cut through a nearby sidestreet, he told the newspaper.
But Leno said someone had strung wire that he “didn’t see until it was too late,” and the wire “clotheslined me and boom, knocked me off the bike.”
Leno broke his collarbone, two ribs and cracked both kneecaps in the accident, but said he didn’t publicize the incident because it was so soon after the November garage fire that left him with third-degree burns across his face, neck and chest.
Leno told the Review-Journal that ”I’m OK, I’m working.”.
Crucial Quote
“You know, after getting burned up, you get that one for free,” Leno told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “After that, you’re Harrison Ford, crashing airplanes. You just want to keep your head down.”
Key Background
In November, Leno suffered “serious burns” from a gasoline fire that broke out in his garage when one of the automobiles in his extensive collection reportedly caught fire, landing him in the hospital for more than a week. The former Tonight Show host owns 199 classic cars and 168 motorcycles. After stepping down from late night, Leno began hosting Leno’s Garage, a CNBC reality show that showcases unique cars throughout the U.S. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter the show has been canceled after seven seasons, ending three decades of Leno appearing on NBC programming.
Tangent
Leno, planning a return to Vegas in March, told the Review-Journal he has taken politics out of his standup act. “Nowadays, people are mad if you don’t say how you feel,” he said. “I’ve just taken politics out of the act, altogether. I just don’t discuss [it]
anymore. It’s like before the punch line, they’re deciding, ‘Is he pro-my guy, or against my guy?’”
Further Reading
Jay Leno Suffered ‘Serious Burns’ In Gasoline Fire (Forbes)
Jay Leno breaks bones in 2nd accident after announcing Vegas return (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2023/01/27/jay-leno-broke-collarbone-in-motorcycle-accident-just-months-after-garage-fire-injuries/