Jay Leno to undergo second surgery for ‘pretty significant’ burns to face, hands, chest
Jay Leno cancels Las Vegas appearance after being injured in gas fire
Jay Leno confirmed to Variety Magazine that he was “seriously injured” in a gasoline fire. He says he is ok and just needs “a week or two” to recover.
Ariana Triggs, USA TODAY
Jay Leno is receiving treatment after a gasoline accident resulted in burns to his face and hands.
Aimee Bennett, the director of strategic communications at the West Hills Hospital & Medical Center in Los Angeles, said in a statement to USA TODAY Monday that the comedian “wants everyone to know that he is in stable condition” at Grossman Burn Center following the accident, which occurred in his garage over the weekend.
“He is in good humor and is touched by all the inquiries into his condition and well wishes,” Bennett continued. “He wants to let everyone know he is doing well and is in ‘the best burn center in the United States.’ “
The comedian, 72, said in a statement to USA TODAY that he suffered “serious burns from a gasoline fire.”
“I am ok. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet,” he said.
People also reported that the Leno canceled a performance at The Financial Brand’s Forum 2022, a conference in Las Vegas, as a result of a “serious medical emergency.”
“His family was not able to provide us very many details, but there was a very serious medical emergency that is preventing Jay from traveling,” an email sent to Forum 2022 attendees on Sunday and obtained by People stated. “All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight.”
Jay Leno sustained ‘concerning’ burns to face, doctor says
On Wednesday, Dr. Peter Grossman, the medical director of the Grossman Burn Center, gave a press conference with updates on Leno’s condition.
Grossman said Leno is “so appreciative of the outpouring of concern for him” and “doing well.” He added that the comedian’s accident occurred Saturday when a fire began while he was working underneath a car. When Leno was pulled from under the car, he had “pretty significant burns” to his face, hands and chest, Grossman said.
“The burns are fairly significant, and they are a concern of which we have to take care of and make sure that he heals appropriately,” Grossman continued, adding that Leno underwent a surgical excision and grafting procedure and will need another procedure later this week.
“Our hope is that, when everything is all said and done, he will do well, but burn injuries are progressive and dynamic, and it’s hard to predict ultimately what the final outcome will be at this stage in the game,” Grossman said.
Despite his condition, Leno has been “a remarkably kind and engaging resident,” Grossman added, revealing the comedian passed out cookies to children in the burn unit earlier that day.
Leno is continuing to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy to minimize the progression of his burns, Grossman said. According to Mayo Clinic, this form of therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment.
Leno’s initial burns were a mixture of “deep second degree burns and possibly some third degree burns,” the doctor added.
Though Grossman anticipates Leno making a full recovery, he said that “some of the burns to the face are a little bit deeper and a little bit more concerning.”
“Whether there’ll be remnants of his injury, it’s still way too early to tell,” he added.
Jay Leno’s past health struggles
Leno has been open about his health challenges in the past, speaking with USA TODAY in 2019 about managing his high cholesterol, which he was diagnosed with over two decades ago.
Leno said he urges people to seek out qualified physicians rather than taking advice from “your idiot friend down the street who says, ‘oh, my uncle had that.’ “
“Go to a doctor, and find out what (medicine) you should take and maybe augment that with laughter,” Leno said. “Laughter (alone) is a terrible medicine, it doesn’t do anything. It’s amusing and fun, but as a medicine it just sucks.”
Jay Leno returns to comedy hosting gig, taking on syndicated ‘You Bet Your Life’ revival
Leno hosted “The Tonight Show” from 1992 to 2014. In fall 2021, he began presiding over a nationally syndicated revival of “You Bet Your Life,” the comedy game show made famous more than a half-century ago by legendary comedian Groucho Marx.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the latest version of ‘You Bet Your Life,’” Leno said in a statement in September 2020. “One of my favorite things to do is talk to regular people and draw humor out of them. This is a comedy show wrapped in a game show that allows me to do just that.”
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Contributing: Bill Keveney, Dalvin Brown
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