The 74-year-old auto enthusiast, well known not only for his long career in comedy but also for his lifelong love affair with cars, has begun making end-of-life arrangements. Part of these plans includes leaving behind a generous sum of money to a museum dedicated to honoring automobiles—an art and a passion that has defined much of his identity. For Jay Leno, cars have always represented more than just machines. They have been symbols of history, craftsmanship, and culture, even though this very passion nearly cost him his life on two separate occasions.
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After stepping away from his successful and high-profile career as the host of late-night television, most notably The Tonight Show, Leno refused to fade into retirement quietly. Instead, he redirected his energy into a project that was closer to his heart than the glitz of Hollywood: cars. He launched Jay Leno’s Garage, first as a segment and later as a full-fledged web series. Through this platform, he invited his audience into his personal world of cars, sharing both knowledge and enthusiasm. The program, which now boasts more than 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube, has become a haven for auto lovers worldwide. With episodes featuring everything from rare vintage classics to cutting-edge supercars and motorcycles, Leno’s passion reached new generations of fans, blending his trademark humor with deep technical expertise.
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But behind the laughter and the shiny chrome, Leno’s dedication to his garage has carried real dangers. In November 2025, tragedy nearly struck. While working inside his famed garage in Burbank, California—a space filled with rare vehicles, tools, and decades of collected treasures—a sudden gasoline fire broke out. Within moments, flames engulfed the area, and Leno himself was badly injured. He sustained serious burns, injuries that could have been life-threatening
