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.
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.
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 given his age and the intensity of the blaze.
Despite the frightening ordeal, Leno responded in his characteristic style: straightforward, resilient, and with a touch of humor. Speaking to Variety at the time, he admitted candidly, “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.” His statement, delivered with calm reassurance, reflected both his enduring toughness and his refusal to let even a near-tragic event shake his spirit. For fans who had watched him for decades, his words brought relief, though the incident served as a sobering reminder of the risks he faced in pursuing his lifelong passion.
Leno’s brush with fire wasn’t the first close call. His life story includes more than one moment when his love for cars turned dangerous. Yet, even in the face of these risks, his commitment never wavered. Instead, such experiences only seemed to reinforce his bond with the automotive world. It is perhaps this combination of passion, resilience, and perspective that now informs his decision to ensure his wealth and legacy continue supporting the car community long after he is gone.
Today, as he prepares for the future, Leno is not only leaving behind memories of laughter and television milestones but also ensuring that his deep love for cars will live on through the museum he has chosen to support. In doing so, he is creating a legacy that reflects both sides of his life: the entertainer who brought joy to millions and the devoted auto enthusiast whose garage became his second home.