Jay Leno reveals challenges he's faced as wife Mavis battles dementia
The comedian, 74, is the official caretaker for his wife of 45 years, Mavis, after she was diagnosed with dementia and he was granted conservatorship over her last year. Now, Leno is reflecting on that role.
'When you get married, you sort of take a vow: 'Will I live up to this? Or will I be like a sleazy guy if something happens to my wife, I'm out banging the cashier at the mini mart?'' he said while on 'In Depth with Graham Bensinger' on Wednesday. 'No, I didn't. I enjoy the time with my wife. I go home, I cook dinner for her, watch TV and it's okay.'
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8 Jay Leno gives rare update on being a caretaker for his wife Mavis.
Graham Bensinger/Youtube
8 Jay Leno and his wife Mavis Leno in 1986.
MediaPunch via Getty Images
Leno added that 'it's basically what we did before, except now I have to feed her and do all those things.'
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The late-night host, who tied the knot with the 78-year-old philanthropist in 1980, isn't phased by their new dynamic.
'But, I like it. I like taking care of her,' Leno continued. 'She's a very independent woman, so I like that I'm needed.'
8 Jay Leno and wife Mavis Leno on December 31, 1990.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Amid the tough times, the actor admitted 'you have to find the humor.'
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Memory flashcards have also garnered some laughs from Leno and Mavis these days.
'It's kind of fun,' he confessed to host Graham Bensinger. 'I go, 'Honey, that's President Obama. Remember we had dinner?' [She'll say], 'Oh, not me.' [And I'll say], 'Yeah, honey, that was you!''
8 Mavis Leno on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' in 2001.
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Leno also took a moment to reflect on the new reality of their marriage and life.
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'Well, that's the challenge, isn't it? When you have to feed someone and change them and carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day,' he explained. 'It's a challenge. And it's not that I enjoy doing it, but I guess I enjoy doing it.'
'I'm not just, 'This person is attractive and sexy,' and having sex with them and everything. At some point in my life, I'm gonna be called upon to defend myself. I think that's really what defines a marriage. I mean, that's really what love is. That's what you do. I mean, I'm glad I didn't cut and run. I'm glad I didn't run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense. I would rather be with her than doing something else.'
8 Mavis Leno and Jay Leno attend Netflix's 'Unfrosted' premiere at The Egyptian Theatre on April 30, 2024.
Getty Images for Netflix
In January, Leno spoke candidly about Mavis' diagnosis with The Post.
'I still make her laugh every day, and that's always fun,' the writer gushed at the time. 'We go back on YouTube — they have all the 'Headlines' [segments] that we did over the years. And my wife enjoys those, and it's like she forgets that she just saw it, so she laughs again at the same jokes. So for a comedian, that's great.'
In 2024, Leno first announced his wife — who he married after meeting at the Comedy Store in the '70s — had advanced dementia and that he was granted conservatorship over her. As noted in court documents, Mavis sometimes does not recognize him, but the television star said 'it's OK.'
8 Jay Leno and wife Mavis Nicholson during the 1993 Emmy Awards.
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8 Comedian Jay Leno (R) and wife Mavis Nicholson arrive at the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
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'She's not in any pain. Anybody that's dealt with this knows that,' expressed Leno. 'You know, I enjoy her company. I would still rather be with her than not be with her … But is it ideal? No.'
To this day, the spouses — who have no children — still maintain their favorite rituals.
'When 'The Tonight Show' finished, I would just come home every night and work on the monologue and be with my wife, and we'd watch a movie or watch TV,' said Leno. 'And it's pretty much like that now, same thing, except now I just kind of go, 'You know, honey, you know what this movie is about?' You just have to explain.'
In April 2024, Mavis' attorney, Robert Ostrin, said she was 'in agreement' with the conservatorship during a hearing at Los Angeles County Superior, per People. Mavis noted she was 'receiving excellent care with her husband, Mr. Leno.'
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8 Jay Leno and Mavis Leno attend the premiere of 'Jay Leno's Garage' in 2015.
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'I think she's in the least restrictive environment,' the judge concurred. 'I think she's in very good care with Mr. Leno.'
'Based on my interaction with Mr. Leno, plus some research I have done, he seems to be a standup guy,' Ostrin added. 'And his private persona matches the public persona he projects.'
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