Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno has recently been the subject of rumors suggesting he is in debt to the mob due to gambling, a claim he has vehemently denied.
The speculation was sparked by Leno's recent appearance, which included a black eye, a bruised face, and a bandaged wrist, all of which he attributed to a slip and fall incident near a restaurant.
According to The Decider, the comedian explained that he had sustained the injuries after losing his footing while descending a hill towards a local eatery. This incident is not the first time Leno has been injured in recent years. In 2022, he suffered third-degree burns during a garage fire while working on a vintage 1907 White Motor Co. steam car with his long-time friend, Dave Killackey. A few months later, Leno faced another accident, this time involving a motorcycle, which resulted in a broken collarbone, two fractured ribs, and cracked kneecaps.
The rumors of mob involvement were further fueled during Leno's recent appearance on Bill Mahers Club Random podcast. Maher referenced claims from The Inquirer, suggesting a connection between Lenos injuries and mob activity. He asked, Its a conspiracy theory since youve had three accidents that you actually have gambling debts and youre being beaten up by the mob.
Leno, however, was quick to dismiss these allegations. He retorted, I love the idea that the mob would drive to Greenberg, Pennsylvania, wait outside the Hampton Inn on a kind of sleety, rainy day to throw me down a hill. Maher jokingly suggested that the hill incident was merely a cover story, to which Leno responded by explaining the circumstances of his motorcycle accident. What happened was, the guy had a rope across his driveway and it cut me, Leno said.
In his characteristic humorous style, Leno added, I got a new face when my face caught fire, and two months later [the motorcycle accident] tore my face. I had to call my face guy, I need another face. He also quipped that if he were indeed in debt to the mafia, I like the idea that they wouldnt just take one of my cars to pay the gambling debt.
The full interview with Leno can be viewed on Mahers podcast. Despite the rumors and speculation, Leno remains firm in his denial of any mob involvement or gambling debts, attributing his injuries to unfortunate accidents.
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