Jay Leno made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show” on March 2, 1977, as a featured comedian. During the 1970s, Leno appeared in a number of minor roles in films and televisions shows including “Good Times,” “Fun With Dick and Jane,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “Alice,” “One Day at a Time,” and “American Hot Wax.” He also appeared on “Late Night with David Letterman” as the featured comedian several times.
Leno was a regular substitute host for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show” starting in 1986. In 1992, he replaced Carson as host in the midst of controversy with David Letterman, who had been hosting “Late Night with David Letterman,” which aired after “The Tonight Show,” since 1982. Many people, including Carson, expected Letterman to be the next host of “The Tonight Show.” The story of the drama surrounding this transition was turned into a book and a movie.
Leno continued to perform as a stand-up comedian during his years on “The Tonight Show.” In 2004, Leno signed a contract extension with NBC to keep him on “The Tonight Show” until 2009.
Jay stepped down to retire in 2009 but soon made a return to television with a prime time talk show called “The Jay Leno Show.” The show aired weeknights on NBC in September 2009 but was canceled in January 2010. Jay then caused a national outcry when he reclaimed his position as host of “The Tonight Show” in 2010, pushing aside his replacement Conan O’Brien. On April 3, 2013, NBC announced that Leno would leave “The Tonight Show” in spring 2014, with Jimmy Fallon as his designated successor.
Leno has maintained an active schedule as a touring stand-up comedian appearing in about 200 live performances a year in venues across the United States and Canada as well as charity events and USO tours. He has also made appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” as well as being a guest on the finale of “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
