Jay Leno Performs Tonight at the Palace Theatre

As an acclaimed late-night TV show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children's book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, lovable TV and movie voiceover artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist, it's no wonder why Jay Leno has always been widely characterized as "the hardest working man in show business." An indefatigable performer, this People's Choice Award recipient loves to test his humor on live audiences across the nation, and brings his "everyman" style of comedy and signature jawline to Columbus.

CAPA presents Jay Leno at the Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.) tonight, April 25, at 8 pm. Tickets are $38-$99 at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.

Under Leno's helm, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" was honored by the Television Academy with an Emmy for "Outstanding Comedy, Variety or Music Series." It has also taken home the trophy for "Favorite Late Night Show" in the annual TV Guide Awards determined by voting viewers, and Leno was recently installed in the Television Academy's Broadcast Hall of Fame.

As if night-time dominance were not enough, Leno has also succeeded in the newest entertainment arena. "Jay Leno's Garage" has gained an international online following, not to mention an Emmy Award and two additional nominations for Outstanding Special Class-Short-Format Nonfiction Programs. Leno produces the NBC creation with Robert Angelo.

Leno, himself, is the recipient of the People's Choice Award and other honors, including the Harris Poll selection as most popular star on television. Other personal highlights include the Hasty Pudding Award at Harvard University, an honor whose sole prior comedy/talk host recipient was Johnny Carson; receiving a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame; and being the first person to drive the pace car of all major NASCAR events.

Prior to hosting, Leno had been the exclusive guest host on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" since September 1987. He first appeared as a guest on the show March 2, 1977, and made numerous additional appearances, as well as NBC's former program, "Late Night with David Letterman."

An indefatigable performer, Leno performs in more than 100 nightclubs, theatres, and stadiums each year. He has been touted as one of the nicest people in show business and the hardest-working -- a winning tandem for the man who says, "Anyone can have a life - careers are hard to come by!"

His "everyman"-style and personality have helped him earn millions of fans worldwide, especially in the regions where people relate to his personable style and work ethic. In addition to traversing the US, he has entertained in various countries, including Bosnia, where he performed for military troops associated with the war in Afghanistan, and Aviano, Italy, where he performed for troops associated with the peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia. He remains passionate about performing in front of live audiences, including the military, and appears regularly in Las Vegas, on college campuses around the US, and other venues.

Moreover, he is committed to using his amalgam of talents to help those less fortunate. Each year, he serves as Master of Ceremonies and does numerous benefit performances, including shows for those whose lives were devastated by the 9/11 tragedy, the tsunami in Thailand, hurricanes in the gulf, and the severe economic downturn in Detroit. He leads the annual Love Ride in California to benefit numerous humanitarian organizations serving people with autism, muscular dystrophy, and Special Olympics, among many others.

He has also served for several years as honorary campaign chairman for the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Hollywood's charitable arm, and has assisted the Gender Apartheid campaign, led by wife Mavis together with the Feminist Majority, to free Afghan women of Taliban tyranny-an effort for which Mavis and The Feminist Majority were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Leno's children's book, "If Roast Beef Could Fly," hit bookstores in April 2004 and immediately became a New York Times Bestseller. His follow-up kids book, "How to be the Funniest Kid In Your Class," was similarly successful. His other book, "Leading with My Chin," hit the bookstores in 1998. He has also published four versions of "Headlines," the compilation of books and desk calendars featuring his favorite funny newspaper headlines, and "Police Blotter," a book with more humorous newspaper clips involving police stories (book proceeds go to various charities).

When he is not performing, writing, or doing charitable work, Leno keeps busy doing voiceover work in such movies as Cars and Igor and the hit TV show "The Fairly Oddparents" where the character "The Crimson Chin" - a superhero with a chin with superpowers - was inspired by Leno's own noted jawline. He also is a much-in-demand corporate speaker for companies including General Motors, and is a monthly columnist in Popular Mechanics.