Jay Leno

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As if night-time dominance were not enough, Leno has also succeeded in the newest entertainment arena. He is a producer and star of the hit TV show Jay Leno's Garage. The NBC creation has gained an international following on the web, as well as an Emmy Award and two additional nominations for Outstanding Special Class–Short-Format Nonfiction Programs. Leno received the People's Choice Award and other honors, including the Harris Poll selection as the most popular star on television. He has also received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Leno asked to have his star placed in front of Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, where he was arrested for vagrancy when he first arrived in Hollywood.

It was in May of 1992 when Leno followed in the footsteps of legendary NBC late-night hosts Steve Allen, Jack Paar, and Johnny Carson as Tonight Show host. Pitted against another television superstar David Letterman in the ll:35 PM hour, Leno became the rating leader of late-night within two years and never looked back, establishing firm leadership in all demographic categories.

Before becoming the host, Leno had been the exclusive guest host on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson since September 1987. He first appeared as a guest on the show on March 2, 1977. He made numerous additional appearances on the show and NBC's former program Late Night with David Letterman.

Leno loves to test his humor live on audiences nationwide, performing over 100 live appearances in nightclubs, theaters, and stadiums yearly. He is known in the industry as one of the nicest people in show business and the hardest-working—a winning tandem for the man who says, "anyone can have a life—careers are hard to come by!"

His "everyman"-style and personality have helped him earn millions of fans worldwide, especially in the regions where people relate to his personable manner and work ethic. In addition to traversing the U.S., he has entertained in various countries, including Bosnia, where he performed for military troops associated with the war in Afghanistan, and Aviano, Italy, where he performed for troops associated with the peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia. He remains passionate about performing in front of live audiences, including the military, and appears regularly in Las Vegas, on college campuses around the United States, and in other venues.

Leno is committed to using his talents to help those less fortunate. Each year, he serves as Master of Ceremonies. Leno does numerous benefit performances, including shows for those affected by the 9/11 tragedy, the tsunami in Thailand, hurricanes in the gulf, and the severe economic downturn in Detroit. He leads the annual Love Ride in California to benefit numerous humanitarian organizations, serving people with autism, muscular dystrophy, Special Olympics athletes, and more.

He has also served as honorary campaign chairman for the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Hollywood's charitable arm. Leno has assisted the Gender Apartheid Campaign led by his wife, Mavis. Together with the Feminist Majority, they worked to free Afghan women of Taliban tyranny, an effort for which Mavis and The Feminist Majority were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Leno's children's book If Roast Beef Could Fly (from Simon & Schuster) hit bookstores in April 2004 and immediately was a New York Times Bestseller. His follow-up kid's book How to be the Funniest Kid in Your Class was equally successful. His other book, Leading with My Chin (from HarperCollins), hit the bookstores in 1998. He also published four versions of Headlines, a compilation of books and desk calendars featuring his favorite funny newspaper headlines. Another of Leno's publications is Police Blotter, a book with humorous newspaper clips involving police stories.

Leno has also done voice-over work in movies such as Cars and Igor, and the hit TV show The Fairly Oddparents (Nickelodeon), where the character "The Crimson Chin"—a superhero with a chin with superpowers— was inspired by Leno's notable jawline. He is also an in-demand corporate speaker for companies including General Motors and a monthly columnist in Popular Mechanics. In his "spare" time (as if he has any), he enjoys working on his collection of classic cars and motorcycles. He has built several cars, including an acclaimed eco-car in his ecofriendly green garage.