Jay Leno shows his sweet side as he delivers donuts to striking writers on the picket line.
He’s known for his sharp wit and hilarious jokes, but Jay Leno proved he also has a heart of gold as he showed his support for the striking writers of the Writers Guild of America (WGA).
The former Tonight Show host, 73, was spotted delivering boxes of donuts to the picketers outside the NBCUniversal Studios in Burbank, California, on Wednesday.
Leno, who is a member of the WGA and has been vocal about his solidarity with the strikers, greeted them with a smile and a thumbs up as he handed out the treats.
He also joined them on the picket line, holding a sign that read ‘Writers Deserve Fair Pay’ and chatting with fellow writers and union leaders.
The WGA, which represents more than 20,000 writers in film, television and digital media, launched a strike on May 1 after failing to reach a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The main issues in dispute are residuals for streaming services, health care and inclusion and equity.
The strike has affected hundreds of productions across Hollywood, including late-night talk shows, scripted dramas and comedies, animated series and reality shows.
Leno is not the only celebrity who has shown support for the strikers. Other stars who have visited the picket lines or expressed their solidarity on social media include Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Amy Schumer, Patton Oswalt, Mindy Kaling and Kumail Nanjiani.
Leno has a history of standing with the writers during labor disputes. In 2007-2008, he joined the WGA strike and delivered donuts to the picketers. He also wrote his own monologues for his show during the strike, which lasted for 100 days.
Leno retired from The Tonight Show in 2014 after hosting it for 22 years. He currently hosts Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBC, which features his collection of classic cars and motorcycles.
He has also made guest appearances on various shows, including The Simpsons, The Muppets, Last Man Standing and Young Sheldon.
Leno is married to Mavis Leno, a philanthropist and feminist activist. They have been together since 1980 and have no children.