Leading With My Chin

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In Leading with My chin, Jay shares the absurd and heartfelt journey that took him from college campuses to Carnegie Hall, Las Vegas, and ultimately The Tonight Show. Unlike many comedians with troubled pasts, Jay embraces his wholesome upbringing in Andover, Massachusetts, where his Scottish mother and Italian father created a loving yet eccentric home. His anecdotes about his parents are both humorous and touching, such as the time his mother knocked him out with a pot for ditching school, or the night she shushed the audience at Carnegie Hall during his performance. On the comedy circuit, Jay faced countless humiliations, from unscrupulous club owners to mobsters who spared his life and even loaned him guns. He encountered bizarre situations, including a request to become America’s first comedy wrestler and the assistance of brave strippers who defended him against hecklers. His career was marked by chaotic nights, including being mugged onstage and enduring death threats, alongside memorable moments like meeting his future wife, Mavis, at The Comedy Store while working with legends like David Letterman and Robin Williams. In Hollywood, despite being told he had a frightening face, Jay explored various roles in movies and sitcoms before finally achieving his dream of hosting The Tonight Show.