Latest news with #MavisLeno
Epoch Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Jay Leno on Caring for His Wife Amid Her Dementia Battle: ‘That's Really What Love Is'
Former late-night TV host Jay Leno has shared insight into his new role as a caretaker, a little more than a year after being granted conservatorship over the estate of his wife, Mavis Leno, amid her ongoing battle with advanced dementia. 'I think that's really what defines a marriage,' Jay Leno, 74, 'That's really what love is. That's what you do ... I would rather be with her than doing something else.' Jay Leno met his wife when he was performing stand-up comedy early on in his career. The two first crossed paths in 1976 at the Comedy Store, a famous comedy club in West Hollywood, tying the knot four years later. The comedian went on to take over the reins from Johnny Carson as the host of NBC's 'The Tonight Show' in 1992. He helmed the evening talk show until 2014, taking a brief break in 2009 to host his short-lived 'The Jay Leno Show.' In January 2024, the comedian filed a petition in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeking conservatorship of his then-77-year-old wife's estate, Entertainment Tonight first Related Stories 1/29/2024 1/27/2023 'Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years,' the petition reads, noting that her 'current condition renders her incapable of executing the estate plan.' According to the filing, Jay Leno sought to establish a trust for the couple's joint estate to ensure that his wife had 'managed assets sufficient to provide for her care' if he died before her. Speaking to Graham Bensinger, the former 'Tonight Show' host said he and his wife have grown closer despite the challenges they have faced in recent years. 'We've been married 45 years—the first 40, unbelievable, last five have been challenging, put it that way. But I think there's more love now,' he said, sharing that he's learned to 'find the humor' even in the most difficult of times. 'I enjoy the time with my wife: I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV, and it's okay. 'It's basically what we did before, except now I have to feed her and do all those things, but I like it. I like taking care of her. ... She's a very independent woman, so I like that I'm needed.'
Miami Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Jay Leno says he enjoys being wife Mavis Leno's caretaker after dementia diagnosis
In a rare interview about his marriage, comedian and TV host Jay Leno is opening up in a big way. After being granted conservatorship over his wife's estate in 2024, Leno is sharing insight about being Mavis Leno's caretaker after she was diagnosed with dementia. During a conversation with the 'In Depth with Graham Bensigner' podcast, Jay Leno shared that this experience with his wife is the first big challenge he's faced in his life. '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...?'' he explained. 'I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV and it's okay,' Jay Leno continued. And although he is now considered Mavis Leno's caretaker, the car enthusiast says not much has changed in how he and his wife live their lives. 'It's basically what we did before,' Jay Leno continued, 'except now I have to feed her and do all those things. But, I like it. I like taking care of her. She's a very independent woman, so I like that I'm needed.' But that doesn't mean it hasn't been a complicated journey for the both of them. 'When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day,' he explained. 'It's a challenge. And it's not that I enjoy doing it, but I guess I enjoy doing it.' Jay Leno continued adding that marriage is more than just being attracted to your partner. 'At some point in my life, I'm gonna be called upon to defend myself. I think that's really what defines a marriage,' he explained. 'I mean, that's really what love is. That's what you do. I mean, I'm glad I didn't cut and run. I'm glad I didn't run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense. I would rather be with her than doing something else.' And when the going does get tough, Jay Leno says it is important that he 'find the humor' in the situation. That includes recalling memories from their past via flashcards he created for Mavis Leno. 'It's kind of fun,' he said of the flashcards. 'I go, 'Honey, that's President Obama. Remember we had dinner?' [She'll say], 'Oh, not me.' [And I'll say], 'Yeah, honey, that was you!'' After filing for conservatorship over his wife in 2024, Mavis Leno's neurologist, Dr. Hart Cohen, confirmed for the courts that Jay Leno is the 'standup guy' he hopes to be, adding that he is 'such a nice man and treats [Mavis] like gold,' People reported. Shortly after being awarded conservatorship, the Leno made a public appearance on the red carpet celebrating Jerry Seinfeld's new Netflix movie 'Unfrosted,' in May 2024. Mavis spoke with Entertainment Tonight, saying, 'I feel great.' 'We wanted to come to something fun for a change,' Jay added. 'Everything is so controversial. Just to come to a funny, silly movie — it's great. I think people are going to have a great time.' Jay and Mavis Leno have been married for nearly 45 years.
Toronto Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- 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.' Leno continued: 'It's basically what we did before, except now I have to feed her and do all those things. But, I like it. I like taking care of her. She's a very independent woman, so I like that I'm needed.' The 74-year-old first filed for conservatorship in January 2024 as he revealed that she had been diagnosed with 'advanced dementia,' according to court documents, where he was seeking to set up a living trust for his wife to ensure that she has 'managed assets' to provide her with future care if he died. The car enthusiast said that he still tries to find the 'moments where you can have a laugh and have fun' and tries to 'find the humour' in tough situations. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Well, that's the challenge, isn't it? When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day,' he said. 'It's a challenge,' Leno admitted. 'And it's not that I enjoy doing it, but I guess I enjoy doing it.' He added: 'I'm not just, 'This person is attractive and sexy,' and having sex with them and everything,' he noted of his longtime partner. Aside from Mavis' health, Jay has also struggled in recent years. In 2022, he sustained second- and third-degree burns after a gasoline fire in his garage, where he had been working on a steam engine. Two months after undergoing surgery for the burns, Leno was knocked off a motorcycle, resulting in a number of broken bones. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He also broke his wrist and suffered bruising to his entire left side after falling down a steep hill last November. 'At some point in my life, I'm gonna be called upon to defend myself. I think that's really what defines a marriage,' he explained to Bensinger. 'I mean, that's really what love is,' Leno continued. 'That's what you do.' He noted that he's glad he 'didn't cut and run' or 'run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense.' Leno added sweetly: 'I would rather be with her than doing something else.' Read More Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Federal Elections Toronto Maple Leafs Ontario
NBC News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Jay Leno says caring for wife with dementia is challenging, but he took 'a vow' to live up to
Jay Leno opened up on caring for his wife, Mavis Leno, following her advanced dementia diagnosis, saying it has been 'challenging,' but he wouldn't have it any other way. The 74-year-old comedian has been married to his wife, Mavis Leno since 1980. 'I have never been particularly challenged. I was not in the army, I didn't have to shoot anybody, I didn't have to risk my life. When you get married, you 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?' he said on Wednesday's episode of the 'In Depth with Graham Bensinger ' podcast. 'No, I didn't. I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV, it's okay. It's basically what we did before except now I have to feed her and do all the things. But, I like it. I like taking care of her,' he continued. He described his wife as a "very independent person," and with her diagnosis, "I like that I'm needed." 'When you have to feed someone and change them, carry them to the bathroom and do that kind of stuff every day. It's a challenge,' he explained. 'And it's not that I enjoy doing it, but I guess I enjoy doing it.' Leno said it's important to find the humor in every day things. He said a special moment for him is doing flashcards with pictures with his wife to refresh her memory. 'Remember this honey? It's kind of funny. Honey, that's President Obama, we had dinner,' he recalled telling her. She responded with 'Oh, not me.' Leno replied: 'Yeah honey, it was you… We went to the White House!' Leno said that in his decades together with Mavis, he feels there's more love now than ever before. 'We've been married 45 years. The first 40 — unbelievable. The last five have been challenging, put it that way. I think there's more love now. Because, why am I doing this? You know? Well, this is why,' he said. 'At some point in my life I'm going to be called upon to defend myself, stand up, whatever it might be. I think that's really what defines a marriage. That's really what love is. That's what you do. I'm glad I didn't cut and run, I'm glad I didn't run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense. I would rather be with her than doing something else.' Reflecting on his marriage he said, 'I married the person that had the ideals I wish I had.' Lat year, the former late-night talk show host was granted conservatorship over his wife's estate due to her dementia. The petition for conservatorship said Mavis had 'been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years.' At the time a court-appointed lawyer recommended approving Leno's request for conservatorship, saying his
