Few comedians this side of Tim Allen have had the sustained, long-term notoriety that stand up-turned-late night host Jay Leno has enjoyed over a lengthy career. Leno, despite being years removed from regular television appearances, still maintains a level of popularity today because he has long spoken rationally about the and late night television. (Spoiler alert: Leno is a not a particularly huge fan of the of late night.
) Given that popularity, it’s no surprise then concerned fans began speculating on happened to Leno’s face recently. In November, concerned fans noticed that Leno’s face looked like it had lost a bet with a baseball bat. You can look at the damage for yourself below: Speaking of losing bets, the prevailing theory among onlookers and fans alike was that Leno had run afoul of the mob and that his latest facial injuries were a direct result of potential gambling debt.
Adding to the mob theory is the slightly unbelievable excuse Leno provided: His bruised up face was a result of tumbling down a hill and landing on rocks face-first. Leno claims, he was walking near his hotel before a show, when he slipped and fell down a hill. While there’s no reason not to believe Leno’s explanation, fans were still very skeptical, wondering aloud why Leno was by himself in the dark or why his facial injuries were so severe.
Perhaps catching wind of that skepticism, Leno took to fellow comedian and traditional liberal Bill Maher’s “ ” podcast. Leno, looking much.
