Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno revealed what led to him getting bruised up and wearing an eye patch.
The 74-year-old comedian, also known for his Primetime talk show The Jay Leno Show, spoke to TMZ and Inside Edition about having a bad fall on Saturday night while he was staying at a hotel on top of a hill.
One bad decision led to major bruising, his left eye swollen shut, and a broken wrist.
It all started when he was feeling peckish and wanted to grab a bite to eat at the nearest restaurant. If only it were closer and at the same elevation as the Hampton Inn where he was staying…
Leno decided to take a shortcut—and would immediately regret it.
He recalled his navigational plan.
“To get to it, I didn’t have a car, so you had to walk about a mile and a half around."
"I said, ‘Well, the hill doesn’t look that steep. It’s about 60-70 feet. Let me see if I can go down the hill.' "
He recreated his misstep and whooped.
“I fell down. Boom, boom, boom. I rolled down the hill, hit my head on a rock, knocked me in the eye," said Leno.
You can watch an interview clip here.
The unfortunate stumble occurred a couple of hours before his scheduled performance at Yaamava's Casino in Southern California.
So, he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and fulfilled his comedic obligation first before seeking medical help.
People were relieved to see his wit was intact and he was recovering.
But they still had questions, particularly regarding his lodging.
He was staying...at a Hampton Inn????
— Honeythunder (@honeythunder1.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 5:17 PM
what was Jay Leno doing at a Hampton Inn
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 10:13 AM
Chile who put hands and feet on Jay Leno????
— Grip Bayless (@talleyberrybaby.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 12:32 PM
Staying in the Hampton inn, maybe an offer he couldn’t refuse
— Mark (@bananayaya.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 12:12 AM
Jay Leno showing up out of nowhere with a C-3PO style red arm
— Cullen (@hellocullen.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 8:45 PM
Jake Paul really has to stop beating up all these old people.
— Yakubian Redhead (@yakubianredhead.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 5:53 PM
You can watch the TMZ interview here.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
When asked to share any words of wisdom after the painful lesson, Leno replied:
“The great thing about this age [is] you don’t learn by your mistakes, you just keep doing the same stupid thing."
When I heard about this, all I thought was Wile.E Coyote falling off a cliff
— Jaiden (@internetfool.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 11:04 AM
Regarding the repetition of clumsiness, Leno suffered another injury resulting in severe burns from a garage gasoline fire in November 2022.
The conflagration started when he was working on a steam engine underneath a car in his garage.
He was treated at the world-renowned Grossman Burn Center for second and third-degree burns on his face. Although he didn't sustain permanent nerve damage, he underwent surgical excision and grafting procedures for his burns.
This poor guy can't catch a break jeez lol
— PumpkinSpicedPapi (@pumpkinspicedpapi.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 8:03 PM
A burn while working on his car, cracked ribs from a motorcycle ride, and now a fall down a 60 foot hill? Leno needs to chillout. If he wants to make it to 75 🤦🏻♀️
— Luz María (@swamari2023.bsky.social) November 20, 2024 at 12:07 PM
To pay it forward, the comedian performed at the Comedy for a Cause benefit show on Wednesday in Hermosa Beach, California, to raise money for the burn center's foundation.
