Leno Thanks Tonight Show Staff and ‘Loyal’ Audience in Teary-Eyed Goodbye

After almost a full hour of laughter, merriment, and Billy Crystal, Jay Leno gave one last, emotional farewell to The Tonight Show, thanking the staff who helped make it possible and the fans who stood behind him to the end.

He said, “You folks have been just incredibly loyal… we wouldn’t be on the air w/o you people. This has been the greatest 22 years of my life.”

Leno teared up when he talked about losing his parents not long after his stint at The Tonight Show began, saying he’s always thought of the men and women he’s worked for as family.

“People say to me, ‘Why didn’t you go to ABC, to Fox?’ I don’t know anybody over there. These are the only people I have ever known. I’m also proud to say, this is a union show. And I have never worked with a more professional group of people in my life. They get paid good money and they do a good job.”

Leno said he’s “really excited” for Jimmy Fallon to take over later this month, concluding with the same last words as Johnny Carson: “I bid you all a heartfelt good night.”

Watch the video below, via NBC:

[photo via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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