Short Biography

James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an Emmy Award-winning American stand-up comedian, television host and writer, who succeeded Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show in 1992. Leno will continue to host The Tonight Show until May 29, 2009; Late Night host Conan O`Brien is his scheduled successor. Beginning this fall, he will have a primetime talk show, tentatively titled, The Jay Leno Show, which will air weeknights at 10/11 PM (ET/PT), on NBC. Leno was born in New Rochelle, New York, on April 28, 1950. His mother, Catherine (née Muir), a filmmaker, was born in Greenock, Scotland, and came to the United States at age 11. Her schooling was limited and as a result she prized her children`s successes. Leno`s father, Angelo, who worked in show business, was born in New York to immigrants from Flumeri, Italy. Leno grew up in Andover, Massachusetts, and although his high school guidance counselor recommended that he drop out of high school, because of his grades, Jay not only graduated but also went on to receive a bachelor`s degree in speech therapy from Emerson College, in 1973. He also attended Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts, but did not like it. Leno`s siblings include his late brother, Patrick, who was a veteran.

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