2 Weeks After Suffering Third Degree Burns, Jay Leno Returns To Stage
on Nov 28, 2022
Two weeks after suffering third degree burns to his face and hands, Jay Leno returned to the stage with some new material.
We first heard of the news of his accident after a scheduled performance at a financial conference in Las Vegas on Sunday, November 10th was cancelled. The Financial Brand’s conference, titled The Forum, had Leno slated to perform from 7-8pm at the Aria Convention Center West.
According to PEOPLE, The Financial Group sent out an email to attendees revealing that Leno had cancelled his performance.
Part of the email read:
“His family was not able to provide us very many details, but there was a very serious medical emergency that is preventing Jay from traveling. All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight.”
Leno himself made a statement to Variety, explaining what happened:
“I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am ok. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
TMZ was the first to report on November 14th that Leno had suffered burns on his face (but not his eyes or ears) after a fire ignited in his car garage. The publication reported that Leno was admitted to the Grossman Burn Center.
Leno spoke with TMZ from his hospital bed, and told them that he was fixing a clogged fuel line on his 1907 White steam car.
https://twitter.com/ReporterDave/status/431955874089668608
While working on the fuel line, there was a leak and “gasoline sprayed on his face and hands,” TMZ wrote. There was a spark that “triggered and explosion,” which set Leno on fire. His good friend, Dave, was nearby and acted quickly, jumping on the late night host and smothering the flames.
George Swift, who has been an employee of Leno’s for the last 15 years told PEOPLE, “He’s a tough guy, he’s going to be fine. It’s nothing life-threatening. He’s in great spirits, but you know, it’s going to take awhile.”
Leno’s doctor at Grossmont Burn Center, Dr. Peter Grossman, said in a press conference, “When got pulled out from the area underneath the car, it was noted that he had pretty significant burns to face and hands. His burns include his face, his hands, and his chest, the burns are fairly significant.”
Grossman concluded, “His injuries are serious, his condition is good. I do anticipate him making a full recovery.”
Well, 10 days after being admitted to the Grossman Center and after two procedures, Leno went home!
According to PEOPLE, his doctors released the following statement:
“Comedian Jay Leno was released from the Grossman Burn Center today. After a 10-day stay at the facility, Jay will receive follow-up care at the Grossman Outpatient Burn Clinic for burns to his face, chest and hands he received during a fire at his home garage. Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received, and is very appreciative of all of the well wishes. He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.”
The burn center also released a photo of Jay’s with some nurses, and you can really see his burns.
Jay Leno posed for a photo with hospital staff as he said goodbye, revealing some of the burns to his face, neck and hand. https://t.co/BAe1zAiyG6
— ExtraTV (@extratv) November 21, 2022
Leno had cleared his schedule for two weeks. We thought he’d need more time to heal, but he was back on stage at the Hermosa Beach’s The Comedy and Magic Club on Sunday (Nov. 27).
While walking into the venue, Leno told reporters, “I never thought of myself as a roast comic. We have two shows tonight — regular and extra crispy.”
After the performance, one audience member told NBC News that Leno performed for over an hour and “had a lot of stamina” despite what he had just endured. Leno also told reporters that he felt “good.
We’re happy to hear Jay Leno is feeling better after such a scary injury!
