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Credit: CNBC/"Jay Leno's Garage"End-of-life arrangements have been finalized for former television icon, comedian, and Tonight Show host Jay Leno, and preparations that will dictate how his fortune—as well as his massive vintage car collection—will be divided up and distributed have also been resolved.
A Stand-Up Comedian Becomes a Late-Night Legend
Jay Leno’s career in television is marked by his long-standing tenure as the host of NBC’s The Tonight Show, which he began hosting in 1992, replacing long-time host Johnny Carson upon his retirement in May of that year.
And though his career is marked by various successes and accomplishments, Leno admits in his 1996 memoir, Leading With My Chin, co-authored by Bill Zehme, that there were many steps–as well as missteps–along the way.
Leno returned to his former role as host of the late-night talk show at the request of NBC after ratings for the show plummeted, staying at his post from 2010 to 2014. Known for his affable personality, quick wit, and humorous and engaging monologues, Leno quickly became a staple of late-night television.
Before taking over The Tonight Show, Leno was a frequent guest host for Johnny Carson and had built a reputation as a successful stand-up comedian, making him a near-perfect fit for the role.
Leno Steps Away From NBC to Pursue His Passion
Leno’s tenure on NBC’s late-night lineup was marked by strong ratings and several memorable interviews.
After retiring from the show in 2014 and passing the proverbial torch to SNL‘s Jimmy Fallon, Leno positioned himself in a different role on television as the host of a series that combined his talents as a TV host with his affinity and passion for classic and vintage vehicles.
Jay Leno’s Garage, a series focused on his passion for cars, showcased his extensive collection and took a deep dive into automotive history and culture.
Though his days as a television host are over, Leno has remained a significant figure in American entertainment and continues to garner the support and affection of his fans.
The Comedian’s Secret to a Long & Happy Marriage
Jay and his wife Mavis have enjoyed a long marriage, especially by Hollywood’s standards. The couple were married in 1980, and in 2015, after more than 35 years of marriage, Leno revealed the secret to a long and fulfilling union during an interview on NBC’s Today Show.
He began by referencing men who marry someone who is “crazy” but endure the chaos because of other perks in the marriage and quickly followed that by sharing with the hosts of the NBC morning show his usual response to those men:
[And I always tell them], ‘I know, I know, but you know, when [those perks] are over, she’s still crazy; that’s the problem.
Then Leno openly shared his secret to a long marriage.
“You marry your conscience,” he said. “You marry the person you wish you could be. That’s what I did.”
The now-73-year-old former TV icon continued, saying, “I’m in show business, which is a selfish profession, so I married a woman that works very hard for women’s rights and other issues like that, and it balances out. You marry the person you wish you could be.”
Now, after more than 44 years of marriage, Jay Leno is being faced with a heartbreaking and arduous task–making final arrangements before he dies so that his beloved wife will be assured financial provisions after his passing.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Mrs. Leno was diagnosed with dementia sometime before 2022, and sadly, her disease has reportedly progressed to the point that she no longer has the capacity to handle her own financial affairs, among other things.
Because of this, Jay Leno began the process in January 2024 of petitioning the court to become his wife’s conservator, which would allow him to handle her affairs on her behalf.
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According to court documents submitted as part of Jay’s petition, Mavis Leno “has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years,” and her “current condition renders her incapable of executing the estate plan.”
Related: Actor Bob Newhart, Several Others in Hollywood Pass Away Nearly Simultaneously
A physician’s report submitted to the judge further stated that Mrs. Leno’s dementia had progressed to the point of rendering her “unable to meaningfully participate in the hearing on the Petition to Appoint a Probate Conservator” and that she would not be able to “understand the nature, force, or effect of the hearing should she attend.” As such, her attorney served as her proxy.
In April, his request was granted.
Now, Leno is facing the daunting task of making final preparations and arrangements in the event of his passing.
The Former “Tonight Show” Host Makes Final Preparations Before His Passing
Though his wife is four years his elder and has been diagnosed with dementia, Jay Leno has recently faced numerous health scares and serious medical emergencies, leading the former late-night show host to begin making final preparations to provide for his wife once he dies.
The couple has no children, so there are no sons or daughters to step in and fill the role of provider and caretaker for Mrs. Leno once her husband passes away.
In November 2022, the former host of The Tonight Show suffered serious burns to his hands and face and spent weeks at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles. Leno, an avid classic cars collector, had been working on one of his vintage vehicles inside his Burbank, California, garage when the car burst into flames, seriously injuring the former comedian.
Leno faced another scare just two months after he was released from the burn unit when he suffered a devastating emergency and multiple broken bones while working on his 1940 vintage motorcycle.
According to his retelling of the events of January 17, 2023, Leno was testing the bike when he began to detect the strong odor of gasoline.
“So I turned down a side street and cut through a parking lot, and unbeknownst to me, some guy had a wire strung across the parking lot but with no flag hanging from it,” Leno explained during an interview. “So, I didn’t see it until it was too late.”
Following the intense media coverage of his burn accident several weeks earlier, Leno said he was hesitant to share too many details about his motorcycle crash–a crash that threw him from the bike and left him with a broken collarbone, two broken ribs, and two cracked kneecaps.
Specific Directives From Leno’s Newly Updated Will
According to court documents filed in a Los Angeles County court, Leno has updated his will to reflect his role as his wife’s conservator. He also included directives about what should happen to his wealth after he dies.
The new provisions require a representative for Mrs. Leno to seek court approval before any changes can be made to the couple’s shared trust–should Jay Leno die before his wife. Once both have passed away, their assets will be directed to Jay’s charity, the J.D.M. Foundation.
The Foundation will be tasked with creating a museum to showcase Jay’s massive vintage car and motorcycle collection, valued at over $52 million. The collection, currently housed at the Burbank Airport, includes more than 180 vehicles and 160 motorcycles.
The couple also plans to leave a seven-figure amount of money to family members.
Jay Leno’s Garage Remains Active
Leno’s vehicle restoration channel remains active with a new Restoration Blog for October 2024: Upgrading a 1941 Fire Truck with Electric Power Steering. Check out the video below:
If you miss watching Leno on NBC’s late-night lineup, you can always check out his newest garage projects.