Legacy in Motion: Inside Jay Leno’s Garage & Life

Summary

Podcast Summary: Legacy in Motion: Inside Jay Leno’s Garage & Life

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Determined Society with Shawn French
• Host: Shawn French
• Episode: Legacy in Motion: Inside Jay Leno’s Garage & Life
• Release Date: June 23, 2025

Overview: In this engaging episode of The Determined Society with Shawn French, host Shawn French delves deep into the life and career of iconic comedian and television host, Jay Leno. Through a candid conversation, Leno shares insights into his work ethic, leadership philosophy, personal anecdotes, family life, and offers valuable advice for aspiring professionals. The discussion also touches upon generational perspectives, financial habits, and the intrinsic motivations that have shaped Leno’s enduring legacy.

---

1. Work Ethic and Leadership Philosophy

Jay Leno emphasizes the importance of leading by example and maintaining a strong work ethic. He recounts his disciplined approach during his tenure on The Tonight Show and contrasts it with misperceptions about celebrity lifestyles.

• Quote: “I find if I was the first one in the morning at 7:30 and the last one to leave, nobody grudges how much money you make because you at least appear to be working at least as hard as they are.” (01:54)

Leno criticizes the notion that success is easy to achieve, highlighting the rigorous behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed by the public.

• Quote: “What you just alluded to or flat out said was it's a blue collar work ethic.” (03:20)

2. Reflections on Comedy and Craft Refinement

Leno shares his approach to comedy, focusing on refining jokes and perfecting his craft. He discusses the balance between creativity and disciplined practice, drawing inspiration from legendary comedians like Johnny Carson and Richard Pryor.

• Quote: “Write the joke down, get on stage, read it as flat and as dull as you can. And if it gets a laugh, okay, you got a funny joke.” (16:54)

He elaborates on the importance of continual improvement and adaptability in comedy, ensuring that his material remains relevant and engaging.

3. Personal Anecdotes and Life Stories

Throughout the conversation, Leno shares various personal stories that reflect his character and resilience. From his early days hitchhiking to his strategic financial habits, these anecdotes provide a glimpse into his pragmatic and humorous outlook on life.

• Quote: “I always try to carry enough money not to annoy the robber.” (46:31)

His humorous take on everyday situations, such as using the same fork since high school, showcases his simplicity and practicality.

• Quote: “I’ve been using the same fork since high school.” (44:39)

4. Family and Personal Life

Leno discusses the profound influence of his parents on his values and demeanor. He attributes his empathy and leadership skills to his mother’s kindness and his father’s example of hard work and integrity.

• Quote: “My mother was very cognizant of everybody else's feelings.” (19:17)
• Quote: “My dad... was very good at teaching by example.” (19:44)

He also shares heartfelt moments with his wife, illustrating the importance of humor and mutual support in their relationship, especially as she navigates challenges like dementia.

• Quote: “She is very much involved in women's issues... So when the dementia started to come in, it's like... that's what you do.” (25:36)

5. Advice for Young Professionals

Leno offers practical advice for 20-somethings aspiring to build successful careers. He advocates for traditional yet effective methods of networking, such as writing well-crafted letters and making genuine connections.

• Quote: “Write a letter to someone you admire and why you admire them...” (29:26)

He shares a touching story about sponsoring a young man's education, highlighting the impact of mentorship and belief in others.

• Quote: “He really applied himself, got a scholarship for the next three years, so I don't need your money anymore.” (32:33)

6. Perspectives on Generational Changes

The conversation delves into Leno’s observations on generational shifts, particularly regarding attitudes towards work, education, and technology. He reflects on how each generation perceives the previous ones as less capable, emphasizing the continuous evolution of societal norms.

• Quote: “Every generation thinks the last generations are idiots or stupid or something.” (33:15)

He humorously contrasts past and present educational programs, lamenting the disappearance of hands-on learning like car shops and gun clubs.

• Quote: “I went to school when you had a gun club at school.” (36:24)

7. Financial Habits and Simplicity

Leno reveals his unconventional yet effective financial strategies, such as banking one type of income while spending another. His minimalist approach extends to daily life, exemplified by his single fork and plate usage.

• Quote: “I use the same fork. I've saved a fortune in forks over the years.” (45:23)

He discusses the importance of financial discipline and living below one’s means, despite his substantial earnings from The Tonight Show.

• Quote: “But I'm dyslexic. I'm not good with numbers. So I would always bank one job and spend money on the other.” (45:26)

8. Maintaining Humility and Gratitude

Leno underscores the significance of humility, attributing his success not just to talent but also to his ability to remain grounded. He emphasizes gratitude and the joy derived from simple, everyday moments.

• Quote: “It's okay to have something else. but it's right up there, you know, it's just for your stability.” (25:35)

His interactions with fans and stories about misunderstandings regarding his persona highlight his approachable and down-to-earth nature.

• Quote: “They think he's a pimp. I said, because that's... he was just so stupid.” (38:40)

---

Conclusion: Jay Leno’s conversation on The Determined Society offers a rich tapestry of life lessons, grounded in hard work, simplicity, and unwavering determination. His stories and insights not only shed light on the man behind the laughs but also serve as a beacon for those striving to carve their own paths in the world. From his disciplined approach to comedy and leadership to his heartfelt reflections on family and generational changes, Leno embodies the essence of a determined society member whose legacy is both impactful and enduring.

---

Notable Quotes:

1. Work Ethic: “I find if I was the first one in the morning at 7:30 and the last one to leave, nobody grudges how much money you make because you at least appear to be working at least as hard as they are.” (01:54)
2. Comedy Craft: “Write the joke down, get on stage, read it as flat and as dull as you can. And if it gets a laugh, okay, you got a funny joke.” (16:54)
3. Financial Simplicity: “I use the same fork. I've saved a fortune in forks over the years.” (45:23)
4. Generational Perspective: “Every generation thinks the last generations are idiots or stupid or something.” (33:15)
5. Advice to Youth: “Write a letter to someone you admire and why you admire them...” (29:26)

---

Timestamps Reference:

• 01:54: Jay Leno discusses his work ethic on The Tonight Show.
• 16:54: Leno explains his process for refining comedy jokes.
• 19:17: Influence of Leno’s mother on his empathy.
• 19:44: Influence of Leno’s father on his leadership.
• 25:36: Leno shares experiences related to his wife’s dementia.
• 29:26: Advice to young professionals on networking.
• 32:33: Story about sponsoring a young man’s education.
• 33:15: Leno’s thoughts on generational perceptions.
• 36:24: Reflection on educational changes over generations.
• 38:40: Misunderstandings about Leno’s persona.
• 45:23: Leno’s minimalist financial habits.
• 45:26: Further discussion on financial strategies.

Transcript

[Lululemon Advertiser]

This is the way it feels to move through summer in Lululemon iconic aligned softness without the front seam for our smoothest look and feel ever, summer won't know what hit it. Stretch your limits in the non stop flexibility of the new Lululemon Align no line pant in select stores [e-mail].

[Jay Leno]

Psst.

[Lululemon Advertiser]

Your payments are showing but with Apple Cash, your payments are private by design. There are no public feeds. Send and receive money privately in messages or with tap to cash. Switch to Apple Cash. Apple Cash services are provided by Green Bot bank member fdic.

[Jay Leno]

So many friends of mine, as soon as the TV show ended, oop, the table at Spago was gone. What? I never had a table at Spago. I just went home and made dinner. I've been using the same fork since high school.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You have.

[Jay Leno]

It works great. It hasn't broken. I haven't had to get any warranty work done on it. It's an excellent fork. It works fine. In fact, when I was a kid, I used to carry like $20 in his pocket and like $300 in his pocket. So if I got robbed, I would just give him this pocket. I'm hitchhiking, a guy picks me up, puts a knife to my throat and I go, okay, hang on. And I went to the wrong pocket and I gave him the 300. I said, oh, that's the wrong pocket. What do you. You got something in the other pocket. Then he got my honeycomb. He got my other money too. I went, oh, yeah, man.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Oh, wow.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

When you create an environment, right? So a lot of times people think leaders or bosses or, or whatever you want to call them, it's like, no, I have to, you know, drive the, I guess you say the influence or drive the motivated environment to be successful. But really what a real leader does, like what you did is you created that environment.

[Jay Leno]

Well, I think you should always try to lead by example, right? I find if I was the first one in the morning at 7:30 and the last one to leave, nobody grudges how much money you make because you at least appear to be working at least as hard as they are. You know, I remember once years ago, Chevy Chase had a talk show for a short time, like six, eight weeks or something. And I said to him, because he was successful as an actor. So why are you doing it? Why are you doing a talk show? He goes, well, you know, I got young kids and I'd like to go sailing in the morning with them till, you know, like 8 to 11 or 12 then come in the afternoon and do the show. I went, what are you talking about? I mean, I'm there at 7:30 in the morning, I don't get out of it until 8 o' clock and then I have to go. Then I write the monologue from 10 until 2 in the morning. How can he, he said, oh no, I don't want to do any of that. And he kind of saw what happened there. I mean, nice guy, but he just had this idea. People think, you know, I love Johnny Carson's job. Boy, you come in at 4, you tape at 4:30, you go home at 6. Well, it doesn't work that way.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, you know, it's crazy because you're talking about these, these hours, right. And I think a lot of people, when they see success on the, on the tv, when they look at your career and they look at the Tonight show and everything that you have done since then, to really stay, stay in the, in the, in the present tense for everybody on the planet, quite honestly, is they don't see the behind the scenes work. And what you just alluded to or flat out said was it's a blue collar work ethic. Right?

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, that's what it is. Like, like people always say, okay, what's the funniest joke you've ever told? Well, no matter what you say, it's not going to be that funny.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

It's just because. Oh, that's not as funny when you preface it like that, you know.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

And so, you know, Dean Martin, Dean Martin did not drink. He really didn't. I work with the man. It was apple juice. But if he appeared drunk and was kind of all over the place, oh my God. Guy just shows up and he's funny. Well, no, it's a lot of work.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Jay Leno]

To do that all day.

[Unknown Interviewer]

And that's the interesting thing, right, because nothing comes right. You know, you can talk about passions or hobbies, but when it's your purpose, you care so much about refining your craft and building behind the scenes. So that way you go through the stages in the process and that way when the cameras are on, that's where you shine. But that's not where it begins.

[Jay Leno]

Well, I'm dyslexic and dyslexic people tend to over focus on things. I remember reading that, that my mother, as you say, you're going to have to work twice as hard as the other kids to get the same thing. And that always seemed fair. I'll do that. That seemed all right. I remember at my high School graduation. I'm going to go to LA and try to be hosted to tonight show. Everybody just. I said, well, that didn't seem that ridiculous in hindsight. Now it looks sound ridiculous, but that's what I set the goal to be and it actually worked out okay.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know what, what about you though, right? Because I, I have big goals too. And there's always the, the sideline commentators, like, man, you really can't do that. You just can't start a podcast.

[Jay Leno]

Right?

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know. So what was it about your mindset and your determination and discipline that.

[Jay Leno]

Well, I figured I would do it until I had to get a real job. I just never had to get a real job. And I found that 90. What's that old thing? 90 is perspiration, not inspiration. Whatever. Whatever it is.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

But I remember I'd go down to the improv and, and back in those days there weren't that many comedians and the improv was mostly singers. So you'd line up at 6 o' clock to get an 11 o' clock spot, you know, and I remember getting it like 5:30, you know, know, and there'd be like eight guys in front of me and their mom would go, this sucks, I'm not waiting in line. And he'd step, oh, I move forward. All right. So that was always my attitude. Just wait for the other guy to wear out or tire out or get fed up or get frustrated.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, there's something to say about that, right? Because I see it a lot, you know, even in, in my industry, it's like, who has a staying power? Who's going to sit there when it's inconvenient and there's a little bit of pain going on? And so like, to your point, that's what you did. You just, people were dropping out and you kept going.

[Jay Leno]

I always, I always tell people, if you can stay in show business for seven years, you'll make a living. But something happened. Too greedy, too straight, too gay, too high, too drunk, too jealous, too envious. There's always some other reason why. I mean, assuming you have talent to start with. Yeah, yeah. But the reason they fail usually has nothing to do with, you know, I mean, I love Charlie Sheen, but he's my example. Very talented guy. Funny, still funny. It just implodes. It just gets crazy, you know, what do you do? How do you go through $200 million? You know, it's pretty crazy.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It is pretty crazy. You know, just when you think of all that, there's always something about somebody the Reason why they're successful and they stay or they fade out.

[Jay Leno]

Well, see, it's a genetic flaw that makes you a performer. It's not a plus. You have this thing which, you know, I always use the example, you know, like if you're a soldier in the Crusades and you're a comedian who's making the soldiers laugh, that guy there, Kill him. You know, because we don't need that. We just live in an era now where funny. Ooh, just happens to pay huge dividends, which. Which is very good. But if you grew up in the era where what. Why are they laughing? Kill that guy and you're dead. They kill a guy. So that's kind of. You have to find your error where you want to live.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know, it's interesting to me because when you were going through everything when you were. When you were starting in your career, you didn't come up in an era with, you know, YouTube, social media, where people can really see you with stage after stage. What did that environment teach you about greatness?

[Jay Leno]

Well, you know, you can only live in the era you live in. I always hate these things where if Muhammad Ali fought Joe Louis. No, they didn't fight. They're never going to fight. You don't know what it's. You don't know what the odds are it didn't happen. So let's not pretend that it didn't. So, I mean, the era I grew up in, you had to sort of get your own. Well, this is kind of a silly story. I think I've told this story. Jerry. I was maybe a little bit ahead of Jerry. I'm a couple years. I'm five years older than Jerry, so I was a little bit ahead of him, you know, so one day, and we both had, like, done one Merv Griffin or something, and I got picked to be the best face to caricature by the Caricature association of America. And they had a picture of me. And this press went out, and Jerry calls me. He goes, how could you have? You haven't really been anywhere. You haven't done it. How do you get to be the most character face? I said, jerry, I'm president of the American Caricatures Association. I said, there is no American caricature. But I found if you sent out a press release, newspapers were just printed. They don't fact check. They don't do anything. But there was this Jay Leno voted mostly, and it just showed up everywhere for a couple of weeks.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's hysterical. I mean, come on.

[Jay Leno]

I just set it out as president of the. I mean, he was just, just so stupid. And that's pretty much what it is. Plus the other thing was I, I never asked how much the job paid. I just. Well, I, I don't mean that. I did ask, but I never, I didn't want to be a guy that turns down how much to pay. I'm not working for that. No, you're not worth anything. What are you doing on a Tuesday that's worth this much money? All right, so shut up.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, that's perspective.

[Jay Leno]

Just go do the job.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I think a lot of, I think a lot of things nowadays people think they're entitled to more without going through the stages and doing work. Right.

[Jay Leno]

It's unbelievable how entitled I meet entitled people. You know, I am a huge believer in low self esteem. It is the key to success. If you don't think you're the smartest person in the room to be smart, you're able to find the people that are smarter than you and take their advice, you know, Like David, you mentioned young guy, smart guy, he comes up with things like, oh, it wouldn't be the way I do it. And then, oh, I guess that's kind.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Of worked, didn't it?

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, but that's what it is. You know, I go on this presumption. Most people can't do anything. Somebody can do one thing, I can do one thing. But I've had so many friends that got TV shows and when they got TV shows, no, I want the lighting this way. Well, this is Jack, so and so. He's the best light. I don't care. I don't care. I want, you know, to me, I tried to hire the best people I could and then I listened to them when they told me I sucked. Look, you sucked, okay? You got another show tomorrow. Fix it then. You know, and, and that always seemed to work for me.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I relate to that. Right. Because for me it's like, this is what I can do. But my partner, Pat Sickens, he has a whole nother business partner.

[Jay Leno]

Right, right, right.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I want to clarify.

[Jay Leno]

Far be it from me.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah. Because, you know, you just, you know, so many different skills and there's a lot of different things that I don't understand. Like I don't understand this concept here, but this is what you do. So. Yeah, like go for it. Let's do this.

[Jay Leno]

Right, Right.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You have to be able to, you know, like you said, the, the, the gift of low self esteem or the ability to know that other people have other gifts and channel those Gifts so that you can elevate even more.

[Jay Leno]

Right, right. You know, yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's a great point, man.

[Jay Leno]

Well, I. I just think it makes sense.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

You know, why do you think people.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Don'T do that, though? I mean, you know, because, like. Like you said, like, what are you doing on a Tuesday that makes you worth this much money? Or like, hey, I want the lighting like this. If you could do everything, man, just do it yourself, you know? Why do you think people go that route?

[Jay Leno]

I don't know. I mean, just. Well, there's ego involved. People think they're better than they are. Some particular thing or whatever it might be. I don't know. I consider that somewhat of a gift, having being able to see that you're not. You're not that good. Thank you very much. Yeah. It doesn't seem that complicated to me.

[Unknown Interviewer]

No, I agree with you. I just want to get your perspective on it. Were there ever points when you were on the Tonight show or after a standup routine, you kind of looked at yourself and you're like, man, because you have other people. Like, you said, hey, you suck tonight. Fix it tomorrow. Were you one of those guys that were always hypercritical of yourself? Like, I can get better here, here, and here. Okay, don't do that again. What was that like for you when you got to.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, it's just a matter of listening to the audience listen to your tape and throw out everything that's not funny. You know, comedians get married to a joke they don't know. You know, it worked in Denver two years ago. Okay. But that was one night in time. There's been a million other nights, you know.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

I always tell comedians, when you get successful in one place, get out of there. I started in Boston. When I got started to get successful in Boston, I just left and went to other cities to work. Just because then you wind up with a Boston act. You got 20 minutes on the Sitco sign in Kenmore Square. You got to think where the Red Sox play, Fenway Park. All your material is now local.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

And then you go someplace else, and they don't laugh. Then you run back to the place, you know.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

That's why I was never really that concerned about making money. Because the worst comedian in the world sadly makes 10 times more than the best comedian for a best teacher. I mean, best teacher. Yeah. And that seems patently unfair. So whatever the job paid, it was fine. I didn't. You know, I mean, the example I always use, when I was. I was one of seven or Eight guys guest hosting the Tonight show. And the manager for like, six of those guys called me and said, we're going to Johnny. We want to get $25,000 a show to host. And I said, well, I'm getting $512, which was scale. And they said, well, we can get you. You sign with me, I get you with the. No, I'm fine. Well, I knew Johnny owned the show, and at the end of the month, let's see, we spent $250,000. Leno cost us $2,500. Why don't we go with Leno? It just seemed like common sense.

[Unknown Interviewer]

$2,500?

[Jay Leno]

Well, I get $500, you know. Right. Yeah. And that's what my expenses for the month were. That. And I mean, I have no proof of that, but we all did about the same rating, and we're all pretty good and funny, you know, So I think it was a financial decision. I said, okay. So then I. I got the show permanently, you know, so it was fine.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It's pretty awesome. It's nice to hear, like, the background of it. Right. Because the public just sees you on the Tonight Show.

[Jay Leno]

Right.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's all the public sees. Right. Was there a certain point in your life when you were coming up that you, you know, looked at comedy? You said, okay, this just doesn't. This just isn't a passion, but this is my purpose.

[Jay Leno]

Well, that was. This is my purpose to dream the impossible. It always seems. It just makes me laugh.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, I guess so. It just seems like such a silly. We're not curing cancer here. I knew this test tube, you know, you're just writing. You're just telling jokes.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

You know, so you can't really take it too seriously. The real simple is, you know, comedy is the economy of words. Rodney was always my favorite because Rodney would get to the joke very quick. You know my favorite Rodney joke? I saw this bar. It said, topless, bottomless. I went in, there was nobody there. I mean, it's perfect. It's like six words, and it makes. Boom. It gets you right there. And that was all. The idea is just, you know, for years, when I call him Richie Pryor, Richard Pryor, but he was Richie when he was. He was like, the king. Oh, my God. And he was getting ready for his Live in the Sunset Strip live recording of his comedy act. And he was at the Comedy Store every night. And I asked Missy, can I follow Richard every night? She said, yeah. Why? Because I'll find out if I'm funny or Not. And I would do 45 minutes and realize, yeah, I got about 16 minutes here. They're really funny. I just threw out everything else. But Now I had 16 really tight minutes. And that's what I do now. I add on just another joke 30 seconds at a time. I don't go out with a whole brand new thing. I just try to do it one joke at a time. That work? Okay. Try it in different. You know, I always mention this, that, you know, the best advice Johnny Carson gave me was write the joke down, get on stage, read it as flat and as dull as you can. And if it gets a laugh, okay, you got a funny joke. Then add the physicality to it, the loud voice, whatever it might be to make it come alive.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's interesting. Is there a certain comedian that you enjoy most in current day?

[Jay Leno]

Well, I like all the comics. Mulaney's good. Bill Burr kills me just the most. Boston guy. I like anybody doing it. I like people who look normal but are funny. Even in the old days when it was Jack Benny and Carson, I never cared for the throw a pie and the Milton Berl squirt and the flower squirts water kind of stuff. You know, Jerry Lewis was never one of my favorites. I like Newhart to me. Newhart to me was just the greatest. Cause it was just a slight turn of phrase. You know, I always give this example of Bob joke. He had a bit about the first astronaut to make contact with extraterrestrials. So he makes contact, comes back to Earth, and there's a big press conference. And one of the reporters says, how far ahead of us are these extraterrestrials? Bob says, about six weeks. And, you know, it's not two weeks, which is too close. It's not six months. It's six weeks. And six weeks, you can't reach. You can't catch up to six weeks.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

And it just killed me because. Just. Just like. Just a slider, just, you know, right over the plate. Swing and miss because you don't see it coming. Yeah, yeah. Just that was all. I always liked those kind of jokes. I like when words are used effectively.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You're using some baseball references I know nothing about. You know nothing about. No, he sounded like you're talking about sliders.

[Jay Leno]

No, I know nothing about. That's also a hamburger. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

A hamburger.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. You never heard of slider?

[Unknown Interviewer]

Well, no, I'm a baseball guy.

[Jay Leno]

Okay.

[Unknown Interviewer]

But. Oh, okay, now I see. Look at you. Look at you.

[Jay Leno]

Catch it on quick.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I'm like, Hyper focused on the game and you're throwing food at me. You are making me hungry.

[Jay Leno]

Right, there you go. There you go.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I love sliders. It's good. Couldn't hit one, but I can eat a couple.

[Jay Leno]

There you go.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's everyone that I know that has come into contact with you and had some type of experience with you. It talks about, and I can confirm because I'm sitting here in person with you and we've had interaction off camera, is you're very down to earth and you're simple, you're kind. What was it about, you know, your parents that instilled that type of, I guess, overall beingness inside you?

[Jay Leno]

Well, I think that's mostly from my mother's side. My mother was very cognizant of everybody else's feelings for things. You know, when she comes see me, like, why don't you pick on that man in the audience? Oh, man, he was heckling. You know, she go, he seemed like a nice man. You know, it was always that kind of, kind of thing. So, yeah, probably more so my, My mother's side.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Okay.

[Jay Leno]

My dad was Italian. He. My dad had been a prize fighter as a young man. So my dad was a tough guy, but. But a good guy led by example. You know, I remember when I was like, I think I was five or six years old, my dad came in and my dad quit finding. Got a job selling insurance. And he must have closed some big deal because he's giving people cigars and ooh. And, you know, he got the big meatball that night and whatever, you know, And I thought, oh, that's what's successful. That looks like success. My dad was very good at teaching by example. You know, my dad would drink occasionally, but I never saw him drunk. I never saw him abusive or anything of that nature, you know, so, yeah, they were just, just, Just a good example.

[Unknown Interviewer]

So it sounds like the kindness from your. Your mom's family, right? That empathetic kindness and then from your dad, that's where you learned to lead from example.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, I think that's fair to say that's pretty cool. I think that's fair to say it's pretty cool. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it was. Yeah. I was very fortunate. I had great parents. I had. I grew up in a small town in New England, so I had, I had good teachers. You know, when I meet teachers in la, they're always writing a screenplay or they're, you know, they have something else they're trying to get out. Trying to get out. Whereas I, I Grew up in a town where Mr. Robichau was in the same homeroom for 40. 40. We're in the same suit.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

The whole 40 years.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's his profession.

[Jay Leno]

You know, the front of the shoes coming apart, you know, and there's chalk marks on the, on the jacket. Yeah. And all that. Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I think I have a pair of shoes that have the front coming off too. I don't wear them anymore, but I haven't thrown them away. I don't know why, but I can see that, you know, like when, when I was even growing up. I'm 46, you know, I graduated high school in 1997. But even then, right, teachers were teachers.

[Jay Leno]

Right.

[Unknown Interviewer]

They weren't looking to, to use that as a stepping stone to move on to something else. And in fact, my wife, she spent her whole career in sales, making great money, just an absolute killer. And she recently, four years ago, switch careers to be a Spanish teacher at a prep school, which allows my children, our children, to have the best education possible for Myers, it's what she does. And the effort that she gives is different than I see a lot of other teachers nowadays. To your point?

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know, not a stepping stone.

[Jay Leno]

Well, I'm not denigrating teachers, I'm saying just, I just, I just. One I had seemed different.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, no, absolutely. It was because there was nothing else. Right. It was like, that was the thing, you know, it's interesting to me because I look around here and, you know, all these beautiful vehicles, you know, do cars, do cars resemble something else for you other than just to have nice collectibles? Is there any type of mentality or satisfaction internally on that?

[Jay Leno]

We're talking with my psychiatrist now. I know. Yeah, that's what I do. Sexual inadequacy.

[Unknown Interviewer]

No, I didn't say you had sexual inadequacy.

[Jay Leno]

Well, obviously I do.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I don't mean, I mean, you might.

[Jay Leno]

What is the. Well, I like, like things that roll, explode and make noise. I mean, it's real simple, very cool. You know, when you work with your hands, it makes you appreciate how easy it is just to talk for a living. You know, that's, I think that when you work on a car all day and it's still not fixed, then you go on stage and they give you a big check. Oh, well, this is, this is so much easier. This is easy doing that, you know, So I, I think that's part of it. Plus, I, I, I'm one of those people when the, you know, the hardest healthiest, when the head and the Hands work together. You do something manual, and then you do something mental, and it sort of balances out today.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It's one of those things that I remember growing up, you know, I had the dad that, you know, would yell at me in the driveway, you know, because I could never. My mind didn't work like that. I was just so hyper focused on baseball.

[Jay Leno]

Right, right.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That was my thing. I was. Of course, I was gonna be a major league baseball player. Right. And, you know, he would say, can you hand me this tool? And I would hand him something. Complete opposite.

[Jay Leno]

Right, right.

[Unknown Interviewer]

And so for me, like, cars growing up was like, if daddy asked me to go to the garage, like, mom, tell him I'm not here. Like, I'm. You know, so I never. I never got to connect that. And I think it's one of those things that, you know, I've been missing because, like you said, the mental in your hands.

[Jay Leno]

Right, right. It's funny.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I mean, I get excited when I could change a light bulb, man. Like, look at what I did.

[Jay Leno]

Well, there you are.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I did that, man.

[Jay Leno]

That.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. So it's just interesting because, you know, I knew that there always has to be some other type of reason why somebody, you know, really dives into something, and it's because it's working on your mental. So, you know, I just think it's interesting, you know, very. Very cool. Very cool in. This thing is huge. You know, you've. You've had this place for quite a while and expanded, and it's just. I mean, it's overwhelming.

[Jay Leno]

It.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It's incredible. It's incredible to see it.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, it's. It's fun. We have a good time.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah. Like, it looks like it. Everybody's so nice, saying hi and walking around, enjoying themselves, you know, Movie theater. That's what it looks like behind you.

[Jay Leno]

Well, that's just a. Yeah, that's. We have bad car movie night. You try to find all the bad car movies your wife won't watch. The guys show up here. Yeah. Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

What's your favorite one?

[Jay Leno]

Well, the one that makes me laugh the most is Steve liquid as Steve McQueen's Lamar. Because it's just a car going around a track, and when women want. He's just driving around. What's the story here, honey? Look at. Look at that 917.

[Unknown Interviewer]

He's turning left.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. Yeah, turning left. Look at that. It just makes me laugh. Just makes me laugh.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's awesome, man. That's awesome. So, you know, just, you know, with your wife, you know, I admire and again, when we get. When we get married, you know, those are. Those are all right, right? Yeah, those. I mean, those are. That's the. The focus. But, you know, with everything going on with your wife, you know, you've. You've been so dedicated, and just. You're with her, and it's just. It's. It's kind of an.

[Jay Leno]

That's what you're supposed to do.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I know.

[Jay Leno]

I mean, it's just odd. Now we live in an era. Now we're just doing what you're supposed to do. It's unbelievable.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

I mean, that's what you're supposed to do.

[Unknown Interviewer]

We grew up in that era, though. You know, it's like it's in front of us.

[Jay Leno]

It's not really. It's.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It's.

[Jay Leno]

I enjoy it. It's not like it's hard work or anything. It's. It's great. You know, you have to find the humor in it. You know, my wife is very much involved in women's issues. She got a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, and she works with women, Afghanistan and human rights. So when the dementia started to come in, it's like. Okay, so, like, when we watch. When we watch tv, we. I tend to watch episodic shows. If we watch something that's like five or six parts and she gets a little confused and I don't remember the fruit. Did we watch the first part? Oh, yeah, I bet. So we're watching Hawaii Five Zero from the 60s.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Oh, yeah.

[Jay Leno]

With McGarrett. And of course McGarrett. Every time he talks to him. Sweetie, honey, honey, come here, come here, sweetie. Did you see the guy run by here? Okay, thank you, honey. You know, so anyway, Stanley Holloway plays a scientist who is a genetic engineer, and he gets kidnapped by the Red Chinese, okay? So McGarrett goes to see his daughter, who's like 38 years old, and she says to her, what kind of genetic engineering did your father do? She says, well, I'm just a woman. I don't really understand these things. And I hear my wife, she's just getting better. She sweared at the tv. And I went, oh, good, the fire is still there. You know, so it just. It just makes me. She's just yelling, you know, I go, no, honey. See, she didn't understand because he's a woman. Shut up. You know? Yeah. I mean, you know, and you realize it's just so funny. Watch these old shows. Just how sex this is. Sweetie, sweetie, honey, honey. Give me, give me, give me, give me. Every female on the show just. Very funny.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Those moments where that fire comes out in her. I mean.

[Jay Leno]

I mean, that's what. I mean, that's who you sort of live for, those moments, and they're. It's okay, you know, I enjoy her company and. Okay, so, you know, I asked President Obama. I remember we had dinner with him. No, I didn't. That wasn't me, honey, it was you. No. Yes, it was. You know. Okay, so, I mean. Yeah, so you. You try to smile and have a good time with it. That's what it is.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah. That's pretty awesome, though. I mean, it just sounds like you guys still have a lot of fun together. Right?

[Jay Leno]

Well, you know, I took her to Nordstrom's when she's still walking around a little bit. Yeah. Because she's feeling that. Come look at me. I don't want any clothes. Come on, come on. So let's go in the shoe department. She goes, oh, look at those blue sneakers. Electric blue. Oh, those are great. You know you like those. I said, how much are these? $24. Honey, you want these? Get them. I said, honey, get another pair if you want. I can. You can. So you see these red and white ones on the table? You know, I'll take these. I said, honey, put those on. Put your shoes in the box. You wear those home. Oh, thanks. That'll be great. Okay, so you put some on. So I got two pairs of shoes. I got my credit card at 24.95. Okay, that is $788. I go, no, no, I bought one pair. He goes, he goes, yeah, those are the regular, the ones you were designed by. Hahaha. You know, or who's some guy with a bedazzler? Because it looked like the same set of sneakers, same pair of sneakers just had some little rhinestones or something on them. And now I'm stuck. And it just made me laugh. I mean, I'm glad I can afford to do that. Sure. Because I look at her and she says, I like these shoes. I go, oh, good, honey. Great, great. Okay. You know, I never even said it. It just made. It just made me laugh. And you have to sort of. That's the humor. And I realize I sound like, oh, I can. I mean, I'm glad I can afford to do it. It was money well spent.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Well, I mean, it's just the optimism, the whole thing. Right. It's just like you were in a place that you're able to do it and you're happy. It made her happy.

[Jay Leno]

And that, that, that's and that makes it all worthwhile.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's awesome. That's awesome. You know, you look around the world and, you know, we have a lot of, you know, young people that don't really understand things as far as, you know, certain steps to take to be successful, the back end grind. And I feel like in the audience there's always a 20 something, whether it's a male or female that's always looking for some type of advice. Right, right. What would you tell a 20 something right now that is looking to come up and, and start any type of career?

[Jay Leno]

Well, you know, I'm. The old Dale Carnegie stuff still works. Look him in the eye, shake hands, make eye contact, write letters as opposed to emails if you can. That shows you can write, which a lot of people can't. I mean, I remember this kid told me, oh, I want, I want to get into show business. And I said, who? Who do you like? And he mentioned Steven Spielberg. I said, well, why didn't you let her. No, I'm not gonna do that. I said, write a letter. Don't write it on crayon in a paper bag like a psycho. Write it. Write the right form. If you don't know how to write a letter, look it up. They show you your return address in the corner, the whole thing. And you got a job as an assistant working on Steven Spielberg because his letter was so well written. Oh, because I find most people try to find people who, when they talk to young people, they see themselves in that person. I meet people, I'm a young comedian, I want to say, oh, great. I feel excited because he's exactly where I was, you know, and I was always thrilled at any help that anybody gave me. So I try to do that and it's very rewarding when years later they come and go, you know, you got me in the door or whatever it might be, you know, but that's what I would say. Write a letter to someone you admire and why you admire them and nine times out of you probably won't get a response. But there's always going to be somebody who. Well, you know, I'll give you the best example. I met a kid from my hometown, Italian kid, funny, okay. And he came to see me a couple of times and okay, I got to talking with him, I said, what are you doing? He said, well, I want to go to UMass, but it's expensive, you know. I said, okay, so I'm going to go to community college and transfer a couple. So I went home, I thought about it, I said, well, let me spring for this. Let me just. I can afford it. So I call his mother to make sure I'm not some creepy old guy hitting on his son. You know, I said, listen, I met your son. I said, I'm going to pay for his college education. And I was just. Single mom. No, no, not a single mom. Said nothing. And so she's. So. She's filled. Okay? So I do that. The first year goes by. At the end of the first year, I call him up, see how he's doing. He said, you know, Ms. Solano, thank you so much and everything. He said, I really appreciate what you did, and I worked really hard, and I got a scholarship for the next three years, so I don't need your money anymore. And actually made me cry.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Oh, my God.

[Jay Leno]

Because here's a young person, he could have had a free ride for the next three years and I wouldn't have felt any. Fine. But he. He. He felt somebody did something for him. He went. He really applied himself, got a scholarship for the next three years.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's amazing.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. Saved me about $80,000. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I mean, it was like, oh, okay, that's. That's pretty good. And that just makes you feel good. And, you know, it does make you feel as good as doing the best show you ever did in your life or whatever else might be. Just go, okay. At least you contributed something to the world. You put another. I don't have any children. So you put a good human being out there and gave him a start.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know, I think when I. When you tell that story, I'm thinking of just integrity. Right? The integrity of that young man at that.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, that's what I mean. And that was a. That's just a gen. Whatever.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

You know, I always. It always makes me laugh when people. Because when I was a kid, kids today were just awful, you know, and now we move on. And I hear the people who are in my generation burning down the bank of America complaining about, guys, don't you remember? You threw the firebomb into the bank of America, you know? You know, so every generation thinks the last generations are idiots or stupid or something. And you realize that's just the way of the world. It's just that built in conceit you have. You know, I had somebody say something to me. It made me laugh. A younger person. And we're talking and I said, you know, back in the 90s, whatever it was, he goes, well, you know, in the 90s, people were really stupid. I go, really interesting.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Tell me more what was.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, the rockets, the spacecraft, the science, the medicine, really, but just. I just like the fact that people in the 90s were stupid because there is that conceit that comes with whatever generation you're in. You know, I remember when I was a kid going to the space museum and seeing Alan Shepard's. He was the first guy to go into space. The capsule, little thing. And I thought, that's pretty cool. I'd go on that, because I saw it at. That was the best technology we had at the time. I saw it. I went to Smithsonian a couple years ago. I wouldn't get. It's like a garbage can with a lid on it and a window. I said I wouldn't get in that.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Gutsy.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. Yeah. But you know what I'm saying, When you live in that era where, well, this is as good as you could be, you know, when you look at. What's that guy, Shackelford, the guy that went into Antarctica, you know, well, he had all the best equipment you could get at the time. What could possibly go wrong? You know, so it just makes me laugh.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It is kind of funny, you know, just thinking about that. And you. You talk about the conceit of the generation that you grow up in. Because, I mean, I'm 46. Like, I always say to Micah, when I was your age, you know, this is what we did, right? You know, we come home, drop our backpacks. All right, Mom. All right, dad, you got homework? Nope. Really? Did we go play football in the street. We go to school and play kickball. We'd ride our bikes. We come home, and the lights, you know, the street lights come on. We eat our dinner, and then we'd play video games. Right, Right. But, like, my kids looking at me. And, like, then, you know what? Why was that so great? Like, why can't we go outside and just roam around? I'm like, oh, no, no, no, no, you can't do that now. You can't do that now because it's. You know, the neighbor drives 50 miles an hour down our street.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. And.

[Unknown Interviewer]

And it's just dangerous. But to your point, like, every generation thinks their generation was the best because that is our experience.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

And. And it's hard now.

[Jay Leno]

You.

[Unknown Interviewer]

We don't know what this generation. I mean, this generation is growing up with AI and all these different types of tools. Like, we don't know what it's like to grow up in the pressures and the access that these kids have now.

[Jay Leno]

Well, it. You know, I. I went to school when you had a gun club at school.

[Unknown Interviewer]

A gun club?

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. Holy. You good luck with that, you know?

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, I can't do that now.

[Jay Leno]

Those things don't exist anymore.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Wow.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. It's just a different time, you know, when I.

[Unknown Interviewer]

When I. Even when I was in high school, we had car shop.

[Jay Leno]

Right. Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's a program anymore or anything like that?

[Jay Leno]

No, most schools have done away with that. Same thing with Jim. Like you. You. You go to gym online. I don't know how that works. Yeah, no, it's. That's always my favorite thing. You know, if we just get gambling, our schools will be the best schools in the country. The kids all have booked, so. I remember Massachusetts. They introduced gambling. Schools aren't any better. Where'd the money go? Yeah, you know, it used to be, you want a million dollars. That's unbelievable. Just buy a lottery to get a million dollars. Now people go, I'm not. I'm not going down the 711 for a million dollars. Let me know when it's 100 million, then I'll buy a ticket. You know, so.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It's just so funny. I always go down the interstate, you know, we go I 75, you know, in southwest Florida, I look at my. Look at the little billboard, and I go to my wife. I go, you see that? I go, $180 million. I go, we don't ever buy a.

[Jay Leno]

Lottery ticket for the lottery. Yeah, Yeah. I mean, it's just.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It's wild. The amount. Like, it's. It's everywhere. It's like, dang, what if I bought one and actually won? You know, but we just never do it.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know, it's interesting to me.

[Jay Leno]

No, I don't find, like, to me, that's the stupidest thing you could do.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Maybe I'm smart then.

[Jay Leno]

It's just a poor people tax. That's what it is. I mean, interesting, you know, that's. Well, that's the change I see. Like, when I was a kid, if I met a guy that had a cool car, he was either an industrialist or sometimes he's just a rich kid. But something I remember taking. Oh, this is 30 years ago, taking my Lamborghini Countach to a car show. And every kid said, are you a drug dealer? Did you win the lottery? What do you do? One kid asked her, I was a pimp. I said, because that's.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Were you dressed like a pimp?

[Jay Leno]

No, not hardly. I don't dress that well. I was just, oh, okay. Really? So that's. So that's what you're. That's success. That's how you get. Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Pimp.

[Jay Leno]

It's a little odd.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It is a little odd. I've never been asked that.

[Jay Leno]

Oh, there you go. You don't really look like a pimp.

[Unknown Interviewer]

No, I don't. Not pimping, huh? That's okay. I just. Simple like you, huh? I just, I'm simple. I just dress simple.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, they can. Exactly.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know, it's. It's interesting because, you know that, that whole conversation is just, it's just perspective, right? And, and we, what we all need to do in the era that we're growing up or whatever stage in life we are, is just focus on what's important, which is our family first and foremost and putting in the effort every single day, you know? And you, you, you talked about your work ethic, you know, behind the scenes, you know, 12 hour days, and it's, it's really enriched your life, you know, You've built something amazing. You've built a brand, you've built a name to where. I mean, quite honestly, man, I don't think there's anybody I can go to anywhere and say Jalen. I know Jaylen.

[Jay Leno]

Well right now, in a couple of years, that'll fade pretty quickly. I remember someone said to me, I was at a college and they said we had Elvis here. I said, Elvis. Elvis played here? They said, oh, yeah, yeah. Well, when they said, really, like eight years ago, he's been dead. What are you talking about? Oh, they were talking about Elvis Costello. And I was like, oh. And they went. And I said, Elvis Presley. And they went, oh, Elvis Presley. Like the old guy. Like, look at this old guy in front of me.

[Unknown Interviewer]

He's a fossil.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, yeah. It just, it just made me laugh. It's like. Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Did you ever see Elvis?

[Jay Leno]

No, I didn't actually. I was. When I was a kid, I was a big fan of Elvis as a young kid and I had. I done a bit about Elvis on the Merv Griffin show and Dick Clark called me to tell me Elvis saw it and thought it was funny. And I went, oh, okay. And then he died.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's it. That's pretty cool though.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You know, like, I almost thought you were funny.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, it works for me.

[Unknown Interviewer]

That's just interesting, man. So. Well, look, it's been amazing. Thank you so much. I.

[Jay Leno]

Well, thanks, dude.

[Unknown Interviewer]

I have one more question. Yes, right, so ask this every. Every show.

[Jay Leno]

Every show.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Every show. It's the Determined Society. That's the name of the show. And at the heartbeat of the show is determination and discipline. And so what I always like to ask every single guess is, what does determination mean to you?

[Jay Leno]

Well, I've never taken a vacation.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Never?

[Jay Leno]

No. Well, again, my job, I'm doing three nights in Hawaii. Okay. I just go to places that would be deemed a vacation to most people. But the idea is, no, I live, like, I'm broken most of the time. If I don't have money coming in this week, okay, that's it. I'm a bum. I'm lazy, you know, And I was like, you know, my mother could never quite figure out if California is three hours ahead or three hours behind. So sometimes she called me at like five in the morning thinking it was eight o' clock, you know, so I would. Hello? She. Are you sleeping? No, no, I'm up, I'm up. I'm just getting started. What's up? How you doing? Yeah, I could never say I was sleeping because now I'm like, the laziest person, right? Ever. Yeah, that was always my thing. And, you know, I would always tell comedians, you know, you're not going to be happy with a spouse until you're happy with your act. You know, if you get your comedy what you want, then you look for the wife or the husband or the partner or whatever. It might be interesting, you know, but this is what you do and it runs your life, and the other thing will always be equal. It might pull ahead a little bit, but it's right up there, you know, it's just for your stability. There's nothing wrong with most comedians. Another, a new five minutes of really funny stuff would not heal, you know, And I see guys go drinking, whatever, they just lose it all, you know. But that's the other thing, too. I find comedians either excessive drugs, alcohol, everything, are complete abstaining.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

I mean, I've never drink in my life. I never done drugs in my life. I never smoked a joint in my life. It's awesome. It doesn't interest me.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right?

[Jay Leno]

Not awesome. It just doesn't interest me. Okay. You know, I. This is what I love about Howard. You know, there's something someone said to me, you know, there's something wrong with you if you've never even tried cocaine. I go, I don't have any interest in it. Well, they'll see. That shows you. No. What reason would I have? It doesn't interest me. But this person just thought, there's something wrong with me because I. I'd never even done cocaine. What's the matter with you? It just made Me laugh.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Well, I mean, I haven't either, so. I mean, we're kind of like twins. There interest me. Doesn't it?

[Jay Leno]

Sounds like a Tinder hit. Yeah, but yeah.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Swipe right or left. I don't, I don't. I've never been on the apps. I don't know is right.

[Jay Leno]

Like, I don't know. I, I, I'm not dating. Apps are not really. What?

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah. You never had to, right?

[Jay Leno]

You mean. No, I would always meet women in the produce department apartment.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You're see, you're genius.

[Jay Leno]

That's the best place because then. Okay, they're healthy, you know, Fruit, you're there. Yeah, I think. Okay, I'm not coming. Okay, smart guy. Yeah. Yeah, smart guy.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jay Leno]

But that's true. I always people if they're buying cigarettes and steaks. Okay, this is not good.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, you go to the fruit.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, yeah. There you go.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Look in the basket. No fruit there. Boom. TV dinners. I'm good.

[Jay Leno]

That's right.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah, you're on. You know, one, one more thing, because you brought it up, man. You brought it up, and now it's got my wheels turning. It reminded me of some things that I heard about. You know, you mentioned you live like you're broke. Is it true that you banked all of the money from the Tonight show and just lived on stand up comedy?

[Jay Leno]

Yeah, because I'm a stand up comedy. That's what I do. I never got, you know, I have so many friends of mine. As soon as the TV show ended, oop, the table at Spago was gone. What happened? I never had a table at Spago. I just went home and made dinner. I just always tried to, you know, people are. Abby, one of the producers that we work with, thinks it's hilarious that I've been using the same fork since high school.

[Unknown Interviewer]

You have?

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. You have the same fork. When I came to California, I packed a knife and fork in my suitcase and I just used that fork. And, you know, it works great. It hasn't broken. I haven't had to get any warranty work done on it. It's an excellent fork. It works fine. I just use that fork. That's hysterical. It's like to me, I use the same plate over and over, and I wash and I put it back, you know.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jay Leno]

Like, as a single guy, I only had one plate. You wash it, you eat out, and you put it back. And I still kind of do that. And my wife thinks that's, like the stupidest thing, but it just sort of, it Just makes me laugh. Why do I need more than one fork? I have my fork. I've saved a fortune in forks over the years.

[Unknown Interviewer]

It's amazing. That just says something about gratitude.

[Jay Leno]

No, it's just stupid. It's just stupid to me. I'm dyslexic. I'm not good with numbers. So I would always bank one job and spend money on the other. When I was a kid, I worked at McDonald's, and I worked at Wilmington Ford, and I put the McDonald's money in his pocket and the Wilmington Ford money in the bank, or vice versa. That's what I would do. In fact, when I was a kid, I used to carry, like, $20 in his pocket and, like, $300 in his pocket. So if I got robbed, I would just give him this pocket, you know? So I'm hitchhiking. Guy picks me up, puts a knife to my throat, like, okay, hang on. And I went to the wrong pocket, and I gave him the 300. I said, oh, that's the wrong pocket. What do you. You got something in the other pocket. Then he got my. He got my other money, too. I went, oh, yeah, man. Oh, well.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Better than dying.

[Jay Leno]

Yeah. But this guy was like. He was scared to death. I go, look, I'm not scared. I hope you don't stab me. I'm giving you all my money. So I always. I always try to carry enough money not to annoy the robber.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Right.

[Jay Leno]

Make him feel he's.

[Unknown Interviewer]

Yeah. Like he did something good by hijacking. Yeah, that's good. Yeah, that's good. It's good. Good strategy. Thank you so much. All right, so, everybody, Jay Leno, thank you very much. Until next time, stay determined.

[Unknown Artist]

This one, luck. I let the pain inspire me. I put my all in. Everything I'm doing up until it's done, I'm me for the entirety. I put it in overtime. I'll be working. Just know I'mma go for mine.

[Jay Leno]

Cause I earned it.

[Unknown Artist]

They watch and I know it's time I confirmed it the whole society determined determines.