‘Tonight Show’ Lays off 20, Leno Takes Pay Cut
“The Tonight Show” has laid off about two dozen workers, prompting host Jay Leno to accept a pay cut in a move to spare other staffers from the ax.
NBC Universal imposed the cutbacks Friday affecting about 10 percent of the 200 people who work on “The Tonight Show,” still the top-rated late-night program.
Leno’s salary between $25 million to $30 million annually will be reduced to about $20 million after making the job-saving concessions.
“Jay’s foremost concern is for the wonderful people who work with him at `The Tonight Show,”‘ said Bruce Bobbins, a spokesman for Leno. “He did what was necessary to ensure their well-being.”
Several other staffers on “The Tonight Show” also took voluntary pay cuts. David Letterman, on CBS, accepted a significant pay cut in 2009.
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