Windsor auto shop owner gifts comedian Jay Leno with likeness sculpted from car scraps
Leno was in Windsor for a performance at Caesar's Windsor
A Windsor, Ont., auto shop owner who uses car parts to build statues of celebrities delivered his sculpture of Jay Leno to the comedian himself on Thursday.
The former Tonight Show host was in Windsor to perform at Caesar's Windsor.
"It was just so incredible to be able to do this," said Peter Solly, who owns MacDonald's Auto Repair and Maintenance Shop.
"It was just over the top. I'm on cloud nine for sure."
Solly began building the life-sized statues around 20 years ago and estimates he's built between 400 and 500.
His subjects include real people like Taylor Swift and Gordie Howe and fictional characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and the Incredible Hulk.
Artist Glenn Hawkes paints the faces on the statues.
Solly built the Leno sculpture more than a year ago but had had little success in getting it to him until now, he said.
"I tried and tried and tried to get a hold of him through the media and through his business," Solly said.
"But lo and behold, I knew someone who knew someone who knew … him, and they got me in."
The intermediary was a friend of Solly's who knew a Michigan car museum owner who was friends with Leno, he said.
"So they called Jay Leno. We sent the pictures to him, and he said, 'Hey look, I love it. This is great.' So then she let him call me on my cell."
The statue will reside at the museum for a period of time before the owners forward it to Leno in California, Solly said.
The sculpture of Leno sports the blue jeans and jean shirt Leno typically wears on his automotive-themed TV show Jay Leno's Garage.
Leno was wearing the same outfit when he met Solly on Thursday night.
"He walked in the room, said 'Hey Pete! How ya' doin,'" Solly said of Leno.
"So I shook his hand, and then we walked up to the sculpture, and he couldn't believe he finally got to see it. And we took a bunch of pictures, and it was great."
It wasn't the first time Solly had met the comedian, he sad; he previously encountered him around 30 years ago in Las Vegas when Leno's limo pulled up outside Caesar's Palace.
Leno shook hands with Solly and his friends and spoke with them briefly, he recalled.
"And then 30 years later, I finally get to meet him," he said.
"It's awesome. It was just fantastic."
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CBC
02-05-2025
- CBC
Windsor auto shop owner gifts comedian Jay Leno with likeness sculpted from car scraps
Leno was in Windsor for a performance at Caesar's Windsor A Windsor, Ont., auto shop owner who uses car parts to build statues of celebrities delivered his sculpture of Jay Leno to the comedian himself on Thursday. The former Tonight Show host was in Windsor to perform at Caesar's Windsor. "It was just so incredible to be able to do this," said Peter Solly, who owns MacDonald's Auto Repair and Maintenance Shop. "It was just over the top. I'm on cloud nine for sure." Solly began building the life-sized statues around 20 years ago and estimates he's built between 400 and 500. His subjects include real people like Taylor Swift and Gordie Howe and fictional characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and the Incredible Hulk. Artist Glenn Hawkes paints the faces on the statues. Solly built the Leno sculpture more than a year ago but had had little success in getting it to him until now, he said. "I tried and tried and tried to get a hold of him through the media and through his business," Solly said. "But lo and behold, I knew someone who knew someone who knew … him, and they got me in." The intermediary was a friend of Solly's who knew a Michigan car museum owner who was friends with Leno, he said. "So they called Jay Leno. We sent the pictures to him, and he said, 'Hey look, I love it. This is great.' So then she let him call me on my cell." The statue will reside at the museum for a period of time before the owners forward it to Leno in California, Solly said. The sculpture of Leno sports the blue jeans and jean shirt Leno typically wears on his automotive-themed TV show Jay Leno's Garage. Leno was wearing the same outfit when he met Solly on Thursday night. "He walked in the room, said 'Hey Pete! How ya' doin,'" Solly said of Leno. "So I shook his hand, and then we walked up to the sculpture, and he couldn't believe he finally got to see it. And we took a bunch of pictures, and it was great." It wasn't the first time Solly had met the comedian, he sad; he previously encountered him around 30 years ago in Las Vegas when Leno's limo pulled up outside Caesar's Palace. Leno shook hands with Solly and his friends and spoke with them briefly, he recalled. "And then 30 years later, I finally get to meet him," he said. "It's awesome. It was just fantastic."
Toronto Sun
24-04-2025
- Toronto Sun
Jay Leno says becoming wife Mavis' caregiver is 'what love is'
Mavis Leno and Jay Leno attend the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's "UNFROSTED" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Amy Sussman / Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Jay Leno is opening up about how the past year has changed since he was granted conservatorship of wife Mavis Leno following her dementia diagnosis. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In April 2024, the former Tonight Show host was granted control of their joint estate after a court filing revealed that she 'sometimes does not' recognize him and does not remember her own birth date. In a new interview, Leno revealed how he is caring for his wife of 45 years and embracing his new responsibilities. 'When you get married, you sort of take a vow: 'Will I live up to this? Or will I be like a sleazy guy if something happens to my wife, I'm out banging the cashier at the mini mart?'' Leno said on In Depth With Graham Bensinger . 'No, I didn't,' he said. 'I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV and it's OK.' 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CBC
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Saturday Night mild? Jason Reitman's SNL recreation doesn't quite match the original's rebellious spirit
It's time to put on makeup It's time to dress up right It's time to get things started Why don't you get things started? Watching the backstage bedlam of Jason Reitman's Saturday Night made me think of The Muppet Show. And it's not because the film throws my beloved Jim Henson under the bus, portrayed here by Nicholas Braun as a prudish hippie getting pranked by the Saturday Night Live staff. It's because the entire conceit of Saturday Night, which shows us the 90 minutes before the first episode goes to air, plays like a live-action version of The Muppet Show, complete with special guest stars (a disgruntled George Carlin) and a plethora of subplots: Is Chevy Chase's ego too big for the cast? Will John Belushi sign his contract? Not to mention Lorne Michaels — the Kermit of this analogy, waving his arms frantically in the air — the Canadian comedic wunderkind trying to convince NBC to risk 90 minutes of air time on a group of unknowns. 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