JAY LENO began his career in nightclubs, where he worked three hundred nights a year before hitting it big in 1992 with his own late night talk show. By that time, Leno had appeared on television, acted in a few films (1978's American Hot Wax), and hit pay-dirt with his late-night television appearances (he made a record number of visits to Late Night With David Letterman); for several years, he served as Carson's permanent guest host. A big, sweet guy with a very good comedy routine, he vied with Letterman to inherit Johnny Carson's Tonight show seat in 1992. His victory was well-publicized, but empty, though he did gain a measure of revenge when his show beat Letterman's for the Emmy in 1995. Though he consistently lost ratings to David Letterman, he surged ahead in 1996, as CBS plunged further into oblivion. Jay is happily married and enjoying his collection of antique cars.
Jay Leno