Jay Leno Took $15M Pay Cut To Save His Crew, Confirms He Never Spent Any Of His Tonight Show Money 

He's wealthy beyond a normal person's comprehension so he can easily absorb the pay cut however LOTS of ceos make this kind of money and would never think of taking a pay cut of any size to save their employees from being laid off, so hat's off to Mr. Leno. He sounds like a good guy.

Took a 15mil shot, and nonchalantly doesnt even remember the year. Meanwhile the loyalty he got with 200 people is incalculable. Pretty good dude.

I spent a couple hours with Jay in 2015 in a small group setting and he was 100% genuine and exactly as you see him here or anywhere. There is no charade or character, he’s a real person.

"I don't have girlfriends and cocaine habits and stuff like that, you know, so you can save a tremendous amount of money". Wiser words were never spoken.

Jay Leno's car warehouse is like a block from my work. I see him driving around his classics regularly. I've bumped into him a few time. He's a really nice guy.

Leno doesn't drink, do drugs and loves his wife and nobody else. Great trio of foundational principles in his life.

You can tell Jay is from humble beginnings and still is because he he says "ridiculous" when referring to making $30 million a year. Thank GOD he survived the accident with minimal injuries.

Meet Jay Leno at a Motorcycle Auction 15 years ago. We were both inspecting the same bike. He spoke to me like he was any other bike enthusiast. He pointed out items on other bikes aswell. Very willing to share his knowledge. He is a class act.

"I don't have girlfriends and cocaine habits .. you can save a LOT of money that way"... Lmao.. Jay is, by far, my favorite comedian as a person. Very genuinely, good man and it's showed.

Refreshing to see a highly successful entertainer acknowledge his good fortune to be born in the US and at the right time in history. Don't think too many showbiz types understand that.

Jay Leno does tons of charity work and never makes a big deal of it. Great human being.

Jay's always been one of the very few good guys in Hollywood. Not a greedy bone in his body. Reminds me of my dear friend Sal. When his partner in the construction company they owned skipped the country with all their money, Sal sold his home in order to pay his crew. Most people can go a lifetime without meeting a person with that much integrity. I feel it's an honor just to be his friend.

Not often we get to see Leno discuss life in general with another intellect he respects. Love it.

What a great guy. How many CEO's would be willing to do this for their employees? NBC's CEO wouldn't, and I bet ya he was making a lot more than $30 million a year. Instead he makes Jay do it.

They did not mention in this interview that when the union writers went on strike years ago Jay paid their normal salaries out of his own pocket and did not ask them to violate the strike by continuing to write for him. In my opinion when Jay wrote his own material during that time period it was much better than the paid writers put out before or after the strike. Jay is a great role model for any aspiring comedian or actor.

To this day we're still finding out now things about Jay that make us love him.

Jay Leno is one of the wisest men in Hollywood. He is wealthy beyond the dreams of most people but remains grounded in reality, shows immense humility, cares about people, and seems to have happiness that eludes the vast majority of Hollywood personalities.

Wow, paying his crew well is very admirable. Very admirable 😀

Jay is, and always was, just an ordinary guy, in the very best sense of the word. Kind, loyal, down to earth. He'd give you the shirt off his back. In show business, he's an anomaly. He's in his own category.

I dont think people realize how wealthy Jay is. Jay was on a drive in Newport and his wife saw this beautiful house. Jay pulled up to the house and contacted the owner and ask if they would sell the house with everything in it as is. 30days later he bought it for 14 million.

Jay is one of my all time heroes. Makes no apologies about being a car guy, and faithful to his bride. Second only to Paul Newman....The BEST! Thank you for this.

Way back in the previous century I worked stage crew for a gig he did. We all got cash tip and an autographed 8 x 10 glossy. I'll always remember how nice he was to all of us.

We need more Jay Leno’s in the world. His heart is much bigger than his fortune. What a guy.

This guy deserves everything in life. Miss him on the tonight show. Grew up watching him and love his garage!

Saw the tonight show w Jay Leno live twice early 2000s (guests: John Liguezamo & Bill Maher) both times he came out b4 show started and said hello and signed autographs for all and of course he wore the infamous jean button up shirt and jeans he always wore and the same exact outfit he’s wearing in this interview 👖✅🎙🛠🛢 Jay’s a national treasure 💎

He was a friend of mine 8 years when I was in radio, went bike riding together (motorcycles) his wife Mavis very nice. Down to earth nice guy. God bless ya Jay.

I like him so much more than in the past and now appreciate his body of work. He seems so genuine and taking a 15 million dollar pay cut because he is greatful for what he has is very cool.

"The Heart is healthiest when the Head and the Hands work together." Brilliantly said Mr. Leno! 👏🎩👍

I saw Jay say in another interview he has always had two jobs. He lived off the income from the lower paying job and banked the income from the higher paying job. Since he was a teenager in Massachusetts. I’m old, so I have a soft spot for Carson as a Tonight show host, but Jay has a much more well-rounded career and by all accounts is a way better human than Johnny was. He’s the GOAT in my book.

I have to say that being on the younger side of the Johnny Carson era that it didn't seem that they could find anyone to keep the tonight show going the way Johnny did. It took me awhile but Jay grew on me and I think he took the show to a whole new level. I'm glad I kept watching. He deserves everything he has and his story is simply amazing. It's the ultimate American dream story! I think that his success has a lot to do with the fact that he never forgotten where he came from and what he had to do to get there. Many successful folks forget and I think it's many there downfall.

"I have plenty of money." If Jeff Bezos ever said that, his head would explode.

I remember seeing Jay Leno way back in the early 70s at the Comedy Store when he was just starting out. He was hilarious and when he was done with his set and sitting back at the bar he was a great heckler of the other comedians that came on stage.

Jay leno saved my 1970 plymouth from getting impounded at bobs big boy in Burbank Back in 2002. He talked the cop out of it. Thank you Jay!

This man is a true class act...love you Jay!!

I have lived and worked in The Valley all my life, so has Jay. All I can say is a guy who you can literally walk up to and ask about cars and he'll chat with you for 20 minutes, remember your name, but has that kind of wealth, he just seems like a nice guy. I'm not the only person, by far, who has experienced this with him. He will talk to just about anyone, and is extremely friendly. Drives around Burbank, Sherman Oaks, etc all the time, no bodyguard, no effort to conceal his identity, you can say hi to him any time and he smiles and says hi back. Most celebrities are not like this, I know from working in PR in the 90's in the area, with lots of personalities. Most of them were also decent people, but they were NOWHERE near as open and friendly as Jay is.

A most humble man, deep respect.

This is heartwarming to know he did this- EVERYONE should be this way!!!

I love the stories of when he stops and helps a stranded motorist. Jay Leno is a good man, and an even better human. One of my favorites. But! Hey! We car guys stick together.

I met Leno. Truly humble and so kind. 👍 legend

Jay his a great guy! Proud to have Americans like him. Great example to others.

Jay leno is the last late night show host i watched and he is my favorite.

I have so much respect for Leno. His point though was that, since he never used any of that money, it made no difference to him whether he made $30m or $15m, and he made a lot of people's lives a lot better and gained a hell of a lot of respect from all of them. By now though, having not touched any of that money for so long, if he earned nothing but basic interest his income will be likely well over $1m per year.

A truly good human being. I always had great respect for Jay Leno.

I'm glad I sat in a Tonight Show audience before Jay left. Yes it was fun seeing him, and the guests were a treat...but what really impressed me was how tightly the show was run. Everyone on the crew was right on top of their job like a fine tuned machine.

Love how Adam is trying to wrap his head around this! Just like me. Mr. Leno so bad ass

True Gentleman. Always feels so much better to give than receive. Truly humble and real guy.

that small "pay cut" is 100 times more than most people will see in their LIFETIME

Well said Jay .."the heart is healthiest when the head and the hands work together."

If you read Jay's autobiography, Leading With My Chin, this comes as no surprise. He really is and has always been an everyday guy who made it big with a helluva lot of plain old hard work and hard knocks.

We will always love Jay! A national treasure!

Jay Leno is so down to earth! Truly appreciate his dedication, passion and love for mechanics. Keep up the great work 👍

Never knew this about Jay. I have alot of respect for a person who takes that kind of pay cut to save his crew.

Always enjoyed Jay for his love of cars and sense of humor. This adds a new dimension.

Jay Leno is the definition of modesty with a good heart, and great sense of humor. Can't go wrong there... 🙂

Honestly that is really nice of him to take such a big pay cut to save the crew. And he's right. He's already making so much money anyway.

Jay is and always has been a class act. Wish he still did The Tonight Show. Late night TV sucks now.

Jay is a super cool guy. Hilarious and a peoples person. I got a selfie with him few years ago. Real engaging person. He interacts with people.

Both these Gentlemen are Brilliant!! We are extremely fortunate they are part of our lives.

Jay Leno is a true class act. Wish more people would follow his lead.

I’ve always enjoyed Jay Leno. I truly enjoyed a standup performance he gave in a big theater in the late 1980’s in Alabama. He was as personable, on the level, and completely non-arrogant in person as he always seems to be.

The irony is the one who started the Jay Leno is greedy narrative was Howard Stern. Let that sink in

An absolute LEGEND!!!! The world needs more Jay Leno's

What an honest down to earth man ....respect Jay 👊

Wow thats a selfless star very humble move to help the working men and women

Regular guy. Remember seeing him ride up to the Rock Store on Mulholland Dr. on a vintage motorcycle. Riding about 50 yards behind him was an old German guy also on a motorcycle. That was his mechanic for if/when his vintage bike broke down. True story.

Jay is such a humble down to earth guy. Truly an example to be followed.

Great guy. I can't imagine how hard it would be, to be in that situation. He has heart and that's what matters.

People give Jay a lot of grief, but he seems like a decent guy in every interview I see.

Jay is a true stand up guy. There is no "G" in his name...GREED! Just look at the man..what you see...is what you get. I admire Jay...You are the man !! Would love to meet Jay before I die.....

wow, what a man of character, totally opposite of most of the hollywood elites, plus he runs a clean operation, no raunchy stuff...

You sir are a Real human being! So much respect for you and your integrity!

Nice show. The legends are back.😀😀😀

I loved Jay’s character on Last Man Standing. He and Tim Allen worked well together.

Jay Leno is a class act. He volunteered to perform at a dinner while I was in law enforcement for a very small audience in a local L.A. venue. He was very generous and gracious with his talent and time. It was much appreciated and enjoyed. He continually shows he is a man of character.

A very successful normal man that lives a normal life. Salt of the earth and doesn't flaunt his success. I'm a huge fan. Cheers from Sarnia Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

I was watching Jay guest hosting on the Carson show and one of his guests was Jacqeline Bisset. He told her it was nice to finally meet her. She told him that they had met already. He asked her when because he didn't remember. She said that her Jag had broken down and Jay pulled over and fixed it on the side of the road. He didn't remember it.

Great video and this is why I loved Jay Leno all those years and still do. He wasn’t an egotistical prick. Thanks for sharing.

All his money,yet so humble,mr.leno God bless you

That’s that blue collar humility. Appreciate you Mr. Leno

Always loved Jay! A real comedian and human! What a guy.

Jay Leno is the man. It's great to hear this with all the BS going on in msm

What a good human to look after his crew, fair play to this real man, no greed makes a wonderful human

That was the RIGHT thing to do, Jay. I'm sure they were grateful. I would've been.

Jay was and will always be the #1 host in my book, such a great human being

WOW!! What a great move to help out Jay Leno's Crew!! That's a real CLASS MOVE!! BTW, Jay Leno's Garage is a great show concept!!

I met Jay at a Vintage Car race event 20 years ago...we spent 3 hours in the Garage talking cars ...he loved my car (1967 Shelby GT350 w/ 700 HP motor) ..he is a real "car guy" and so fun to hang with !

You are a wonderful human Jay, you truly are one of a kind. I watch your Garage episodes all the time. Thank you and god bless you

Jay is a super nice person and never let fame go to his head like most of the Hollywood crowd. How many celebrities would take a pay cut to save their crew? None except Jay.

Saw him live at a casino concert a few years back. What a great comedian! He is a comic genius!

I saw Jay Leno in 1978 at the Improv in L.A. …just a funny guy and seemed like a good guy too.

"The heart is healthiest when the head and the hands work together".... beautiful Jay.

Wow... lol I don't have girlfriend's and cocaine habits 😅 saved alot of money 😅

Laughing at the casual reference to girlfriends in the same sentence as coke habits. The wrong girlfriend can be one of the biggest wastes of money you'll ever suffer through.

Real Angels come in all different disguises , JAY IS ONE OF THEM

I’d never heard of this generosity before. Awesome. I’m sure he had a very loyal crew!!

Always impressed with Jay and how he amassed his fortune. Rare to hear this success in entertainment industry.

Jay Leno beat Howard Stern in the end.. Howard would never cut his pay in half to help his staff. He fired them, I know.

Jay is financially savvy. Well done sir 👏👏👏

What a classy Man. Humble and generous.

I miss him and his Tonite Show 💜💜