Jay Leno is not letting any accidents or mishaps hold him from residing his goals and pursuing his passions.
The 73-year-old stand-up comedian and former host of The Tonight Present got here out to participate on this yr’s Kennedy Middle Honors in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, and he spoke with ET’s Deidre Behar about his high-profile near-death experiences over the previous yr.
When requested how the incidents have modified or impacted his outlook and perspective on life — and particularly driving and dealing on automobiles — Leno mentioned merely that “nothing” is completely different in any respect.
“It hasn’t changed it at all,” Leno mentioned. “Once a man hits 40, you can’t convince him of anything else.”
Leno was hospitalized after he was caught in a storage hearth and his face was badly burned in November 2022. Then, in January 2023, Leno was badly injured and left with a number of damaged bones after getting knocked off one among his bikes.
Nevertheless, after a lifetime of accumulating, driving and repairing all kinds of automobiles and bikes, Leno does not see himself altering his habits any time quickly.
I am nonetheless driving bikes. I am nonetheless falling off, I am nonetheless engaged on automobiles,” Leno said. “No, as soon as a man learns [something], you may’t educate him new methods.”
As for his prediction in the future, Leno joked, “Oh, driving bikes and falling off!”
The comic was in Washington specifically for Sunday’s event, and explained how he was most excited to see Billy Crystal get honored.
“Billy is my man, he is a comic book, you realize. It is enjoyable to see fellow comedians get acknowledged,” Leno said. “No person’s carried out what he is carried out. Hosted the Oscars 9 instances, all of the Emmys, all the flicks. I imply he is an actual — to me he is a comic, however a extremely good actor too.”
Crystal was honored on Sunday alongside Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, opera icon Renée Fleming and musician Barry Gibb.
For extra on Leno’s near-death mishaps, and his subsequent restoration, try the video beneath.
RELATED CONTENT: