AmeriCAN Spirit Award

Jay Leno was born in New Rochelle NY of Scottish Italian parents. He received his bachelor's degree in Speech therapy from Emerson College. Early in his career he did a commercial for Dorito s brand tortilla chips. In the late 70's he was the warm up act for Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones, and John Denver. His comedy or genre is called observational comedy. This is a brand of humor based on making remarks about various facets of daily life. He continues each night opening his show with his brand of humor. Jay is known as an avid student, collector and restorer of cars and motorcycles. He has auctioned off motorcycles signed by his guests to raise funds with a combined total of almost $3 million dollars for victims of 9 11, repeated this gesture for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, and later to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. But it his Jay Walking segment that draws attention in a comical way that he makes us aware of some serious issues in American education and knowledge. Plus his children's books by Simon & Schuster which are auto biographical and make children laugh at any age. Jay's sense of humor, concern for children , education and his kindness is a true representative of the AmeriCAN^® Spirit.