Jay Leno is back onstage just weeks after suffering third-degree burns to his face, hands and chest. The comedian, who was burned in a gasoline fire earlier this month and hospitalized for his injuries, was quick to return to work not long after being discharged from the Grossman Burn Center.
Entertainment Tonight reports that Leno performed at the Comedy Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, Calif. on Sunday (Nov. 27), where he treated a sold-out crowd to his usual weekly set at the venue. Leno was greeted with a warm and enthusiastic welcome by the club, which hung a “Welcome Back Jay” sign in his honor.
During his set, Leno shared some new jokes with the crowd, including some lines about his burn incident, before launching into his regular routine. A source told ET that Leno was “in good spirits” at the club, and noted that his burns “weren’t glaringly visible.”
The former Tonight Show host was back at the comedy club after performing there for decades. Leno has been a regular fixture at the venue, where he’s performed stand-up most Sundays since 1992, per ET.
Leno has been transparent about his recovery since he was admitted to the hospital for burns Nov. 13. The comedian was burned by one of his cars when it suddenly erupted in a Los Angeles garage, and recovered for 10 days at the Grossman Burn Center, where he was treated in a hyperbaric chamber and received skin grafts.
When it was time for the comedian to head home, he posed for photos with his care team as he prepared to the leave the burn center, revealing his scars to the public in the images, which were later included in a Nov. 21 press release.
“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,” the release read. “He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.”
