Jay Leno

Leno made his Tonight Show debut in 1977, as a comedian, while appearing on The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. Show. He was gaining experience in acting -- he was cast in 1978's American Hot Wax; in comedy, with numerous appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, which followed The Tonight Show on NBC; while guest hosting for Johnny Carson several times since 1985, and hosting his television comedy special, Jay Leno and the American Dream.