While Jay Leno has sustained multiple injuries over the past few years and taken on the role of full-time caregiver for his wife, the comedy legend always enjoys spending time with his antique cars. Leno was recently spotted cruising the streets of Burbank, California, in his cherished 1910 Model O-O White Steam Car.
The former “Tonight Show” host, now 75 years old, has always enjoyed vintage cars. However, he was looking skinnier and frail while out on this latest drive.
Passion for Cars on Display
While he was looking slimmer, he was also looking very rugged in his Western denim shirt. His passion for cars was very obvious, as he was seen cautiously driving the more than century-old automobile.
However, a small technical problem with the car he was driving may have added to the strain he was showing. His crew was able to call a tow truck and get the issue resolved, but it was all a small annoyance for the car enthusiast who is used to these last-minute fixes.
Going Strong After Injury
This latest joy ride by Leno comes just eight months after he suffered a serious fall while he was in Pennsylvania for a comedy show. At the time, the comedian fell down a steep 60-foot hill, which ended up giving him visible bruises and swelling.
In true comic fashion, he later joked about the fall, saying he tried to take a shortcut to a restaurant. This just proves his sense of humor is still fully intact.
Over the past few years, the former host of the “Tonight Show” has taken on a series of accidents, including a motorcycle crash in 2023. That accident left him with broken kneecaps. Then in 2022, a garage fire caused him facial burns. Despite all of that, he continues to recover and return to the spotlight with his characteristic grit.
Devotion to His Wife
Getty ImagesOne of the most inspiring aspects of Leno has to be how he has taken on the role of full-time caregiver for his wife, Mavis Leno, who is battling advanced dementia. Earlier this year, Leno opened up in an emotional interview about how caring for his wife has given him a deeper sense of purpose.
“I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV and it’s OK,” he stated. “I like taking care of her. I think… I like that I’m needed.”
While life has been a rollercoaster ride for Leno lately, he remains strong with an unwavering devotion to his wife and his sense of humor intact. This is just a reminder to his fans that even offstage, he’s still got plenty of drive.
Could It Be Caregiver Burnout?
While Leno looked frail and skinnier in the photos, it could be a visible toll of caregiver fatigue. He is taking care of his wife full-time now, so his appearance may reflect more than just age, or having a bad day, or his car breaking down. It may be the real-life impact of constant caregiving behind closed doors.
This type of burnout is a medically recognized condition that can be seen through emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. While he has publicly embraced the role of caregiver with grace, his frail appearance and multiple injuries in recent years could suggest that even the most dedicated spouses can hit a breaking point.
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Jay Leno Photographed on Vintage Drive Months After Major Face Injury