Jay Leno has been spotted for the first time since suffering serious facial burns from an explosive gasoline fire accident in his garage.
On Monday (November 21), the 72-year-old former late-night host was discharged from the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles after undergoing surgery for severe burns.
The gearhead comedian's tragic incident happened on November 12 at around 12:30PM, when a fuel leak and a simultaneous spark in the 1907 White Steam Car triggered an explosion, per People.
During his recovery, Leno was put in a hyperbaric chamber and underwent skin-graft surgery for burns on his face, chest, and hands. Nine days later, he was released and posed for a picture with staff members in what is his first sighting since the accident.
Check out the touching post below:
Wearing his signature all-denim outfit, the smiling comedian stood alongside several of his caretakers who were donning blue scrubs.
"It was a pleasure caring for Jay Leno, and we wish him a speedy recovery," the hospital wrote.
Along with the photos, the doctors also released a statement, obtained by People, that read: "Comedian Jay Leno was released from the Grossman Burn Center today."
"After a 10-day stay at the facility, Jay will receive follow-up care at the Grossman Outpatient Burn Clinic for burns to his face, chest, and hands he received during a fire at his home garage," the doctors continued.
"Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received, and is very appreciative of all of the well wishes. He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday," they said.
Within the statement, his physician Dr. Peter Grossman added: "I am pleased with Jay's progress, and I am optimistic that he will make a full recovery."
Leno is famously known for his extensive classic car collection, which is said to include around 180 cars, 160 motorcycles, and even steam-powered vehicles.
After flames erupted while he worked on a vintage car in his garage, officials from the Burbank Fire Department reported that when they arrived on the scene, they "assessed and treated one adult male patient" before transporting him to "a local emergency department," per People.
At the time of his accident, Leno downplayed the severity of his injuries to the outlet, saying: "I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet."
However, during his time at the hospital, he allowed Inside Edition cameras to film him being treated in a hyperbaric chamber which showed him receiving skin grafts and another unnamed surgical procedure.
"He’s had skin grafts that are not his own, meaning the skin we have from a skin bank or a donor, that’s what we do as a first stage," Grossman said at the time.
The medical professional shared that the Ice Age voice actor was reportedly in good spirits, and was walking around and cracking jokes with other patients at the center.
Furthermore, Grossman stated that Leno's scars will "definitely be visible for the foreseeable future," adding "We hope that in the future they will be minimal. Visible or maybe not at all."
We wish Leno a speedy recovery!
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