Jay Leno’s face revealed for first time since burns from gasoline fire

Jay Leno’s face revealed for first time since burns from gasoline fire

Jay Leno will be home for the holidays after suffering “serious burns” in a garage gasoline fire.

The 72-year-old former “Tonight Show” host and avid car collector posed for a picture with Grossman Burn Center staff members in his first sighting since the accident in his personal garage in California. Wearing his signature all-denim outfit, the funnyman smiled alongside health workers in various blue scrubs.

“Comedian Jay Leno was released from the Grossman Burn Center today,” doctors shared in a release obtained by People on Monday. “After a 10-day stay at the facility, Jay will receive follow-up care at the Grossman Outpatient Burn Clinic for burns to his face, chest and hands he received during a fire at his home garage.

“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. He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.”

Jay Leno released from hospital.Jay Leno, 72, smiled for a photo with burn center staff members after his 10-day long stint following a car explosion. Grossman Burn Center

1 of 2

Jay Leno's burnt hand scars Leno was working on his 115-year-old car when a simultaneous fuel leak and spark prompted an explosion.
Jay Leno's burnt face scars The 72-year-old spent 10 days in the hospital.

“I am pleased with Jay’s progress, and I am optimistic that he will make a full recovery,” Leno’s physician Dr. Peter Grossman said in the release.

His recovery comes after the “Jay Leno’s Garage” host explained last week that he was working on his 115-year-old car when a fuel leak and a simultaneous spark in the 1907 White Steam Car triggered an explosion.

The avid car collector had been working on his 1908 White Steam Car — like the one seen here — when the blast occurred.NBCUniversal via Getty Images

He allowed Inside Edition cameras to film him being treated in a hyperbaric chamber. Leno also received skin grafts and another surgical procedure this week but was reportedly walking around and cracking jokes at the burn center.

“He’s had skin grafts that are not his own, meaning the skin we have from a skin bank or a donor, that’s what we do as a first stage,” Grossman said.

The former late-night host convalesced in a hyperbaric chamber to reduce swelling.Inside Edition

The medical professional added that Leno’s scars will “definitely be visible for the foreseeable future.

“We hope that in the future they will be minimal. Visible or maybe not at all,” he said.