After severe burns, Jay Leno leaves the hospital for a ‘wonderful’ Thanksgiving dinner with his family — all photos by the ‘Tonight Show’ star.
The first thing he said when I asked him if he ever regretted going on with his career was that he wished he were still on it.
This was, of course, a moment of rare candor from Leno, who as of late has been in the news for his very public divorce and the various allegations of sexual misconduct.
We were in a hotel in the middle of Miami Beach. He was visiting and shooting “Tonight Show” for the first time in six years.
My friend and I were on the front seat. He’s 6 feet 2 and built like a fireplug. He was wearing black dress slacks, a dark blue shirt and brown leather loafers.
I asked him if he would mind if I took out my iPad — a rare request for the notoriously private performer. Leno said no. He’s rarely seen in public, let alone photographed, which made this moment unusual enough he told me to get a shot with him that I hadn’t thought of.
When I asked him what his message to women in the workplace is, he said that it is this: “Whatever you want to do — don’t.”
Leno, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show” since his first appearance on Aug. 27, 1975, has a message for us all.
We’re all in this together. Take a little risk with yourself, and your career will be a lot stronger for it.
He paused for a second and then added, “Even in my case.”
What he may not have meant was that he’d learned how to avoid getting hit by his plane over the years.
But after he learned I was an astronaut, he said, “I’ve got two questions for you. First, how’s your heart?”
I smiled. It’s not really a question for me, given my history of heart disease and his.
Then we were back at work.
I wanted to talk to him about the show he’s been doing on TV shows and his show “Late Night,” which is in its third season.
He talked about the show’s ratings, how much it is loved by viewers and the fact that he’s never been afraid to ask for help.
