Last month, comedian and talkshow host Jay Leno got into a terrible accident while working on one of his cars, which led to second-degree burns and two surgeries. But, judging by the first interviews the star has given about the scary experience, he hasn't let it get him down. Speaking to People and Today, Leno explained how he caught on fire, the treatments he received at the hospital, and why he decided against taking any form of pain medication. He also joked about the accident and confirmed that it won't keep him from his hobby. Read on to see what the 72-year-old had to say.
READ THIS NEXT: Oprah Just Revealed That She Only Has 3 Close Friends.
Leno's accident happened when he was working on a very old car.
Leno, who is an avid car collector and hosts the show Jay Leno's Garage, was working on a White steam car from 1907 when he was set on fire.
"With a steam car, you have gasoline, but you also have a vaporizer which is heated by a pilot light to turn water into steam," Leno explained to People. He had been trying to unclog the fuel line when he "got a face full of gasoline." He added, "I knew how close I was to the pilot light and I thought, 'Uh oh.'"
He was right about the dangerous combination. Leno caught fire.
"I'm not a panicky guy, but I knew if I breathed in I could scorch my lungs," he continued. "I was under the car maybe 10 seconds before [friend] Dave Killackey pulled me out. Any longer than that I could have lost my eye."
Killackey said it was worse than Leno will admit.
Speaking to Today, Killackey said that he pulled Leno out from under the car and pulled his face into his shirt to put out the flames. "You couldn't even see his face. He downplays it. But I'm telling you he was really engulfed," Killackey recalled. "It was horrific. It was a scary thing."
Killackey said he called 911, but Leno ended up driving himself home to go tell his wife Mavis Leno what was going on before he went to the hospital. He had burns on his face, hands, chest, neck, and one of his arms.
For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Leno would not take pain medication.
Leno underwent two skin graft surgeries and spent eight hours a day in a hyperbaric chamber to treat his injuries. But, he declined pain medication. The comedian told People, "The pain is a reminder that I'm an idiot!"
Hoda Kotb, who interviewed Leno for Today, told her fellow anchors, "The guy said he didn't take a single pain pill. He said because he wanted to know when he was getting better."
When Tim Allen appeared on The Tonight Show on Nov. 21, he gave an update on his friend. When he called Leno to check on him, Leno said, "I'm not doing painkillers. Pain is there for a reason," the Home Improvement star remembered. "What do you say to that?" Allen continued. "'Okay, I think pain is there to tell you to take a painkiller.'"
He got back to work quickly.
Two weeks after the accident, Leno was back on stage performing standup comedy. People reported that on Nov. 28, he joked to reporters at the venue, "I never thought of myself as a roast comic. We have two shows tonight—regular and extra crispy."
He also isn't letting the accident keep him from his passion for cars.
"I know how bad it could have been," he told People. "But I'm okay. And I'm sure I'll continue to do the same stupid things I've always done. Just maybe a little bit more carefully!"
Lia Beck Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more.Read moreFiled UnderCelebrities • Entertainment • NewsRead This NextJay Leno Just Apologized for His Past Racist Jokes
Following years of criticism, the comedian is recognizing his "legitimate wrong."March 25, 202116 Celebs Who've Been Banned From Talk Shows
The reasons why these stars were not welcome range from politics to a "bread roll throwing incident."July 7, 202113 Celebs Who Famously Lied About Their Age
Here's why and how much these stars fudged their birth years.July 5, 202110 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
Athlete, nerd, hopeless romantic, thespian. Yes, there’s a lot more to Canada’s Prime Minister than just politics.March 21, 2017Jon Hamm: The Best Life Interview
Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men, reveals the secrets of manliness in a postmodern world.November 15, 2016Driving Tips Smart Men Know
Ten easy ways to be the safest driver on the road. April 3, 2017Men Who Set the Time: Cash Warren
The successful producer, entrepreneur and husband of Jessica Alba reveals how you, too, can live your best life.October 31, 2016Dr. Oz: The Best Life Interview
Mehmet Oz, M.D., asks the toughest question: Are you living or dying?October 23, 2016Dr. Oz's 15 Best Life Tips
October 23, 2016The One That Got Away
A single nutrient—omega-3 fatty acids—may have turned early humans into civilized man. Has stripping it from our diet given rise to cancer, diabetes, and other civilized diseases? Our correspondent investigates.February 23, 2017
