Did You Know...

Leno began his stand-up career in Boston and New York comedy clubs and strip bars in the 1970s. He was a popular opening act for such performers as crooner Johnny Mathis and country singer John Denver, and he wrote scripts for the sitcom Good Times, starring Jimmy Walker. After becoming host of Late Night, David Letterman granted Leno over forty appearances on the program. By 1986 Leno was named one of several guest hosts for the Tonight Show, but the untiring success-seeker still spent 300 days per year on the road.

As a popular stage and television comic, Leno strived not to offend by offering non-sexist, non-racist, anti-drug humor. He focused on ridiculing the idiocies of social life with a feel-good approach, avoiding cynicism and promoting patriotism. Being selected as Johnny Carson's replacement on the tonight show surprised the industry.

David Letterman had been slated for the job but NBC was attracted to the more cooperative Leno who was sure to match wit with the older Tonight Show audience. Trying to win over some of Letterman's fans, Leno's Tonight Show made stage renovations, recruited younger popular guests and Branford Marsalis for musical accompaniment. Within a short period of time Marsalis left the show and was replaced by Kevin Eubanks.