Comedian Jay Leno was back to his jokes during his “Kelly Clarkson Show” appearance on Wednesday, March 1, joking about his “brand new face.”
The comedian was showing off his healed face after enduring a car fire on November 12 last year that left him with extensive burns on his face, hands, and chest.
During his Wednesday appearance with the “Since You Been Gone” singer, 72-year-old Leno reflected on his recovery journey after Clarkson said he looked great.
Leno was met with applause from the audience as he sat down with the singer. He boasted that it was a brand new face, adding that it was unbelievable.
The former Tonight Show host joked that he had been enjoying a flaming hot Dorito, and when he bit into one, it set his face ablaze. He said the incident was interesting, adding that the third-degree burns were pretty bad.
Clarkson, seemingly amazed at Leno’s recovery, said she could not tell whether he had been involved in an accident.
Leno, happy to get the compliments on his appearance, teased Clarkson, saying that one would think there was a zipper on his face, but it was like a brand new face. Leno said it was the second time in his career that he was the “new face of comedy,” adding that the first time was in the 1980s.
Pointing to his ear, he excitedly told the audience he had a new ear.
In November last year, Leno and Dave Killackey were working on a vintage 1907 steam car’s clogged fuel line. They were in Leno’s car garage in Burbank, California when the comedian caught on fire. Help arrived within minutes and transported him to a hospital.
Leno sustained severe third-degree burns and was treated at the Grossman Burn Center. He stayed at the burn center for nine days and underwent two skin grafting procedures using human cadaver skin and pig intestines.
Leno was back on stage at a comedy club in Hermosa Beach just six days after leaving the hospital.
The comedian was involved in a motorcycle accident a few weeks after the burn incident, which made his recovery even more difficult.
