The left side of the former Tonight Show host’s face was burned, but Leno’s eye and ear were not seriously damaged. Leno confirmed the news to Variety, saying in a statement: “I have severe burns from a gasoline fire. I’m fine. I just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” The website Deadline confirmed the gasoline fire. He had been scheduled to attend a Las Vegas financial conference on Sunday, but plans were canceled after his burns, which were not made public at the time. Leno, 72, was one of America’s most popular late-night hosts, drawing an estimated 4.8 million viewers to his show five nights a week. In 2009 he left the show and was replaced by Conan O’Brien. Leno moved to 10 p.m. with The Jay Leno Show, until O’Brien left the network in January 2010. Leno was then reinstated as host of The Tonight Show until 2014, when Jimmy Fallon took over as host. Since leaving The Tonight Show, Leno launched his own CNBC series Jay Leno’s Garage in 2015 and began hosting the You Bet Your Life revival in 2021.
