The accident that left Jay Leno with third-degree burns didn’t dampen his sense of humor.
The comedian joked that he was “refreshed” after being badly injured in a petrol fire last month, adding, “Better than before.”
Leno, 72, reflected on the incident in a Wall Street Journal article published Sunday, writing that despite the “deep” burns that persisted, he refused to feel pressured by them.
“Really, it was just an accident, that’s all,” he explained. “Anyone who works with their hands a lot is going to have an accident at some point. If you play football, you get a concussion or a broken leg. No matter what you do, there’s a risk factor.
“You have to joke about it,” the former “Tonight Show” host added. “There’s nothing worse than a whiny celebrity. If you make a joke, people will laugh with you.”
On November 12, Reynolds was repairing one of his vehicles, a 1907 white steam car, when a fuel leak left his hands and face soaked in gasoline, which subsequently ignited and set him ablaze.
The “Jay Leno’s Garage” star was rushed to a burns center and underwent several forms of treatment, including two transplants to remove unhealthy tissue and promote healing, as well as several hyperbaric chamber treatments to “reduce swelling” and “Increased blood flow” for good oxygenation. “
Leno has since returned to work.
Shortly after 10 days in the hospital, he returned to the comedy stage, appearing in front of a packed audience at the Comedy Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California.
The comic was also found to be back in the same garage where he was burned.
As of June this year, Leno’s impressive car collection boasts more than 180 vehicles, including exotic cars, supercars and museum-quality artifacts.
