Jay Leno Says ‘There’s Nothing Worse Than Whiny Celebrities’ As He Opens Up About His Facial Burns

It’s only been one month since the comedian Jay Leno was severely burned in a gasoline fire in his garage, but he wants the world to know that he’s already ready to joke about it.

‘You Have To Joke About It’

“You have to joke about it,” Leno told The Wall Street Journal. “There’s nothing worse than whiny celebrities. If you joke about it, people laugh along with you.”

Leno had been working on a steam engine under a 1907 White Steam Car when the fire broke out on November 12, leaving him with major burns to his face and hands. In his latest interview, however, Leno tried to downplay the severity of the fire.

“But really, it was an accident, that’s all. Anybody who works with their hands on a regular basis is going to have an accident at some point,” he said. “If you play football, you get a concussion or a broken leg. Anything you do, there’s a risk factor.”

“Eight days later, I had a brand new face. And it’s better than what was there before,” Leno added. 

Related: Jay Leno Breaks His Silence After Being Discharged From Burn Center

Leno’s Fire

Leno spent the ten days after the fire being treated at the Grossman Burn Center. Days after his release, was outside The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, where he joked, “I never thought of myself as a roast comic. We have two shows tonight: regular and extra crispy.”

Two days after the fire, Leno broke his silence to let the world know that he was alright. 

“I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” he told People Magazine. “I am okay. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”

Dr. Peter Grossman, who personally treated Leno, was confident about the former “Tonight Show” host’s chances at recovery. 

“Some of the burns to the face are a little deeper and a little more concerning,” Grossman said shortly after the fire. “I do anticipate him making a full recovery. Whether they’ll be remnants of this injury, it’s still too early to tell. I’d say that his injuries are serious, his condition is good.”

Related: Tim Allen Gives Update On Jay Leno – Reveals He’s Refusing To Take Painkillers After Suffering Serious Burns In Fire

Leno’s Passion For Cars

Leno has been passionate about cars for decades, and he even worked as a mechanic in his younger days to pay his bills while he tried to make it as a standup comic. The comedian owns 180 vehicles in his garage including exotic cars, hypercars and museum-grade artifacts, according to US News & World Report, and his collection is estimated to be worth between $50 million and $100 million. 

Doctors at the burn center were overjoyed when they were able to release Leno less than two weeks after the fire.  

“Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received, and is very appreciative of all of the well wishes,” they said at the time. “He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.”

Leno has since returned to performing again on Sunday nights at The Comedy and Magic Club, where he’s performed weekly for over thirty years. Tickets for his shows are on sale now.