For decades, Jay Leno has been synonymous with late-night television. The former Tonight Show host, known for his everyman humor and cautious approach to political controversy, has rarely waded into public debates about his successors. That’s why his decision to speak out on behalf of Jimmy Kimmel — a longtime rival who has mocked him for years — is turning heads across the industry.

In comments delivered at Chris Wallace’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Leno came out forcefully in defense of Kimmel following ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. The network pulled Kimmel after a monologue that criticized how MAGA figures reacted to details about the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

“I’m on Jimmy Kimmel’s side on that one,” Leno told reporters. “I’m a huge proponent of free speech. Please. I’m on Jimmy Kimmel’s side.”

Why Leno’s Words Matter

On its face, Leno’s endorsement might seem like just another late-night host backing a colleague. But given the history between Leno and Kimmel, it carries added weight.

Their feud dates back to the 2010 “Tonight Show War”, when Conan O’Brien was ousted from NBC after just seven months to make way for Leno’s return.

Kimmel became one of Leno’s most vocal critics during that period, lampooning him repeatedly and even confronting him on-air during a guest appearance on Leno’s show.

Over the years, Kimmel has often painted Leno as the villain in that late-night drama, while Leno typically stayed above the fray.

For Leno to put aside that baggage and publicly back Kimmel underscores just how seriously he views the suspension — not as a petty rivalry, but as a free speech issue.

A Shift in Tone

Interestingly, Leno’s remarks about Kimmel stand in contrast to his response earlier this year when CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in 2026.

At that time, Leno did not defend Colbert or frame the cancellation as an issue of free speech.

Instead, he wondered aloud why late-night hosts would alienate half their audience by criticizing one political faction too aggressively.

With Kimmel, however, Leno made an exception. His comments suggested that, to him, Kimmel’s suspension wasn’t about partisan comedy but about whether comedians can speak candidly at all.

“You don’t get canceled saying popular things,” Leno added. “Usually, it’s the truth that winds up getting canceled, so we’ll see what happens.”

Predicting Kimmel’s Resilience

Leno also took the long view, predicting that Kimmel’s career would survive the ordeal.

“Jimmy will land on his feet,” Leno said. “He’s a talented guy. He’s funny. And we’ll see what happens.”

The show of confidence was notable. Kimmel’s critics — including former President Donald Trump, who gloated about the suspension on Truth Social — have painted him as irrelevant, with weak ratings and fading influence. But Leno’s perspective suggests that within the comedy community, there’s still recognition of Kimmel’s talent and resilience.

Why This Endorsement Matters

Leno’s comments reflect more than just solidarity with a fellow host. They also highlight the growing consensus in the entertainment world that ABC’s decision was less about ratings and more about appeasing political pressure.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr had publicly condemned Kimmel’s remarks and urged affiliates to push back, raising fears of regulatory retaliation.

Nexstar and Sinclair, two major station owners, quickly announced they would preempt Kimmel’s show.

Disney, ABC’s parent company, ultimately sidelined Kimmel, sparking accusations of government interference.

In this context, Leno’s defense shows that even figures who’ve traditionally avoided political hot water are willing to call out what they see as censorship.

The Bigger Picture

Kimmel’s suspension has already sparked responses from across late-night.

Stephen Colbert called the move a “blatant assault on freedom of speech.”

Seth Meyers emphasized the importance of standing up for free expression.

Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show mid-week to frame the issue in the context of global press freedom, with Nobel laureate Maria Ressa as his guest.

Now, with Jay Leno — a figure from an earlier generation of late-night, and a man often cast as Kimmel’s nemesis — joining the chorus, the debate takes on an added level of gravity.

Conclusion: A Surprising Alliance

For years, Jimmy Kimmel built comedy at Leno’s expense. But in this moment, Leno’s willingness to set aside old grudges and defend Kimmel’s right to speak signals that the controversy transcends personal rivalries.

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! may yet be reversed, or it may mark a turning point for late-night television under political pressure. Either way, Leno’s intervention makes one thing clear: the fight over free speech in comedy is too important to ignore, even for those who once stood on opposite sides of the late-night stage.