Comedian Jay Leno said he is “a big believer in low self-esteem.”

“People in show business tend to think they are smarter, better and more clever than everyone else — and they’re really not. We just live in a time when that particular talent they have happens to pay dividends,” Leno said in a telephone interview with the Deseret News.

Leno is a recipient of the People’s Choice Award and is characterized as "the hardest-working man in show business," according to a CNBC article. On Nov. 11, the former "Tonight Show" host is making his way to Salt Lake City as part of his 2016 tour to perform stand-up comedy at the new Eccles Theater.

In March, Leno performed at the Tuachan Ampitheater in St. George — along with Brigham Young University’s all female a cappella group, Noteworthy. It has been about seven months since that performance, and he is excited to be returning to Utah for another performance.

“I like Utah. I’ve got a lot of car friends there and old motorcycle guys," Leno said. "It’s the kind of state where people have to know how to fix stuff if you want to get by. That’s what I like. It’s cosmopolitan enough that it has all of the city stuff, but it’s rural enough to have the country things too. I like that combination."

The upcoming show in Salt Lake City will feature some of Leno’s favorite comedic material: everyday humor.

“The process (of finding material) is just to keep your eyes and ears open and react to things around you. That’s the whole process. A lot of times people tell you something and not even realize it’s funny. There’s a lot of humor in everyday life,” Leno said.

Although Leno has had a variety of opportunities, from hosting the Nobel Peace Prize concert to publishing children’s books, he said his greatest accomplishment is being married to his wife of 36 years.

“I was pretty lucky there," Leno said. "Especially living in Hollywood, people go through these horrible, debilitating divorces — people screaming at each other and selling all of their belongings. I’ve never had that problem. I was very lucky I found the right person, and it has worked out pretty good."

If you go …

What: Jay Leno 2016 Tour

When: Friday, Nov. 11, 8 p.m.

View Comments

Where: George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main, Salt Lake City

How much: $30-$125

Web: arttix.artsaltlake.org

Email: kadams@deseretnews.com

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.