Leno’s burn injuries take him out of Aria appearance
The burn injuries suffered by Jay Leno were the reason for his canceled appearance at a financial conference at Aria on Sunday.
Leno suffered serious burns to the left side of his face Saturday, after a gasoline fire in the Los Angeles garage where he stores his car collection. Leno was hospitalized and unable to travel to The Financial Brand Forum 2022, held at Aria’s convention center.
TMZ originally reported the accident on Sunday. On Tuesday, the celeb outlet reported Leno was fixing a clog in the fuel line of his 1907 White Steam Car. Leno said gasoline sprayed on his face and hands, and a spark triggered an explosion, setting Leno on fire.
A friend Leno identified as “Dave” quickly covered the flames and likely saved Leno from more serious injuries, and possibly death.
Leno suffered third-degree burns and might need skin grafts, according to the report. His injuries are reportedly not deemed life-threatening. Neither his eyes nor ear were damaged. He had been admitted into a burn unit on Sunday.
“I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” Leno had earlier told Variety. “I am okay. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
The incident occurred in the garage featured in his “Jay’s Leno’s Garage” CNBC series.
A total of 2,750 executives signed up for the conference at Aria, which centers on growth and marketing strategies in the banking industry.
Event organizers informed attendees via email that they did not have information on Leno’s condition. People reported from that message, “All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight.”
Leno has for years been in rotation in the Aces of Comedy series at Mirage Theater, though he is not on the current schedule running through June.
A famous car enthusiast, Leno most recently appeared in Las Vegas over Halloween weekend. The 72-year-old comic and former host of “The Tonight Show” was grand marshal of the Tour d’Elegance car show, presented at Wynn Golf Course.
Leno was also a featured speaker at the Specialty Equipment Market Association, (SEMA) conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center in November 2021.
Cool Hang Alert
Acclaimed keyboardist Greg Manning and The All Star Band is up next at Gatsby’s Supper Club at Gambit Henderson at 7:30 p.m. (doors 6 p.m.) Thursday. Tickets start at $30, with a separate $30 F&B minimum. Worth it if you want some rich, live-music experience. Our friends at KUNV 91.5-FM sponsor, along with Vegas production company AE Group. The commitment to the arts is impressive, as are the shows.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
