Jay Leno’s Inner Circle Worried He’s Running Himself Ragged While Caring for Dementia-Stricken Wife

Jay Leno is looking stressed and exhausted – and friends fear the former Tonight Show host is running himself into the ground while helping his dementia-stricken wife, Mavis.

Devoted Jay, 75, is doing a wonderful job of looking after Mavis, 78, who is sometimes unable to recognize him or even remember her own birthday, says a source. But the compassionate comic needs to take care of himself, too.

“He looks after Mavis mostly himself, even though he has caretakers and family members willing to help to ease the burden,” says the source. “He’s been selfless to a fault.”

The late-night legend appeared frail and haggard during a July 14 joyride in his vintage 1910 steam car. (He owns roughly 180 cars and 160 motorcycles.) When his ride broke down, Jay was seen fruitlessly trying to figure out the problem. Ultimately, a tow truck was called.

In November, Jay tumbled 60 feet down a hill and hit his head on a rock while trying to navigate a steep shortcut from a hotel to a restaurant. He also fractured his collarbone and two ribs, and cracked his kneecaps in a January 2023 motorcycle accident.

And in November 2022, Jay suffered serious burns to his face, hands and chest from a gasoline fire in his garage. The accident left him needing surgery, skin grafts and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

“His friends think it’s noble of him that he wants to be Mavis’ main caretaker,” says the source. “But they are urging him to slow down, because he needs to take care of himself, too.”