“Jay would like to let everyone know how grateful he is for the care he received and is very grateful for all the well wishes,” the hospital said in a statement shared with the media. The hospital did not immediately respond to a Washington Post request for comment overnight.
“He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday,” the hospital said.
His physician and burn center medical director, Peter H. Grossman, added that he was “pleased with Jay’s progress” and “optimistic about his full recovery.”
He was admitted Nov. 12 after a fire broke out at the Burbank garage where Leno, who is known for his enthusiasm for classic cars and the like, stores his vast collection of vehicles. He underwent surgery for severe burns but was in good spirits while in hospital, telling jokes and handing out cookies to other patients, the Associated Press reported.
An image released by the hospital showed severe burns to his neck, jaw and right arm, as he was flanked by staff.
In a statement this month, Leno said he was feeling “good” and would “need a week or two to get back on his feet.”
His friend and fellow comedian Tim Allen said he had spoken to Leno and that Leno had had skin grafts and was ‘all bandaged up’ but ‘not taking painkillers’.
“He’s just an amazing human being,” Allen said Monday on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “The hospital did a great job.”
Leno was a staple of late-night television in the United States and hosted “The Tonight Show” on NBC from 1992 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2014.
He retired from the show in 2014 and began hosting “Jay Leno’s Garage,” an Emmy-winning car web series inspired by his passion that landed a prime-time spot on CNBC. in 2015 – and featured President Biden as a guest in his recent Season 7 finale driving a Ford F-100 Eluminator electric vehicle. Leno has also hosted a revival of the game show “You Bet Your Life” since 2021.
Sonia Rao contributed to this report.
