Jay Leno makes his triumphant return to stage… two weeks after fiery accident
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Just six days after being released from a burn center following a serious accident that left his face, chest and hands badly burned, Jay Leno returned to the stage to deliver his brand of comedy, according to CNN.
On Sunday, the legendary comedian was greeted by a sold-out crowd at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California, who were happy to see him back for his regular evening set.
The venue has been Leno’s home base almost every Sunday since the early 1990s, as a place where he can try out new material for his stand-up act and old Tonight Show monologues.
Triumphant return: Jay Leno, 72, returned to the stage for the first time since a fiery accident in his garage badly burned his face, chest and hands
Leno, 72, was first seen driving to the club with his beloved wife Mavis next to him in the passenger seat.
When he pulled up, lines of people were already lining the sidewalk, hoping to get inside to see the comedian’s triumphant return after the scary accident.
The club’s beachfront location has long been a favorite destination for comedians and spectators alike. Many of the best comics like Leno in the industry have and continue to call this their home club.
The club’s staff made a ‘Welcome Back Jay’ sign, which also read ‘We Love You’.
Once inside, Leno and his wife joined the owner of the club, who sat with them for part of the evening.
Return: A group of media and fans gathered outside the club when he retired
Supportive: Leno stopped by the club with wife Mavis, who is celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary on Nov. 30
Beaming: The legendary prankster was all smiles as he met the media and fans outside the club
Looking good: Leno chatted with the fans and the media before moving in with his wife and the club owner
From the moment he arrived, the New Rochelle, New York native looked like his old self in a good and happy mood as the burns on his hands and face seemed to heal.
He then took the stage and made a series of jokes, mostly making a fool of himself, while making light of the accident.
The accident happened on Nov. 12 while Leno was working under one of the many vintage cars he owns that are in his garage in Burbank.
As he broke free, a gas leak caused an explosion that set him on fire.
The funny man was rushed to hospital with second and third degree burns to his face, chest and hands.
Hilarious: Leno didn’t wait to enter the club to joke with the crowd
Clicking away: People took picture after picture as the comedian walked to the front of the club
Escorted Inside: Leno was greeted by the owner of the club before going inside to do his show
Doing the rounds: Leno answered questions from the media before entering the club
At home: Leno has been using the club as a sounding board for new jokes since the early 1990s
Miraculously: Leno was released from the burn center just six days earlier
He was eventually transferred to the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles, where he would eventually receive 10 days of treatment, including two surgeries to treat his injuries, according to his doctor, Dr. Peter Grossman.
The former Tonight Show host was spotted saying goodbye to the team of doctors, nurses and other specialists at the Grossman Burn Center for the first time since the accident last Monday.
In an interview with ET, Dr. Grossman revealed that Leno suffered “significant injuries” but is “doing really well,” which was apparently helped by being a “strong individual” with a “strong attitude.”
Leno will perform three additional shows at The Comedy & Magic Club in December.
On the mend: The injuries to his hands were visible, but looked much better than reported days earlier
Love Feast: Leno greeted some old friends and colleagues for the club
Healing: The former Tonight Show host was spotted for the first time since last Monday’s accident
Joke joke: Leno eventually went in and did his show, which included making light of his accident
He’ll be back for more: Leno will perform three additional shows at The Comedy Magic Club in December