“I’m sure he would smile at him”: Jay Leno Gets Fan Support After ‘Distasteful’ Joke on Jeremy Renner’s Brutal Accident While Trying to Save Nephew That Nearly Crushed Hawkeye Star

On January 1st, 2023, Marvel veteran Jeremy Renner met with a brutal and bone-crushing accident that hospitalized the actor for weeks in the intensive care unit under constant medical supervision. After undergoing multiple immediate surgeries and displaying a sheer and formidable strength of will, Renner returned home intact on January 16th while millions breathed a collective sigh of relief.

But in the meantime, rumors born out of fear, desperation, hopelessness, and a lack of proper information on the health and recovery of Jeremy Renner sent fans spiraling about the condition of the actor’s limbs. Now, as he takes the time to gain his strength and get back on his feet, another potential scandal waits on the sidelines to break loose after a comedian’s ill-timed comment.

Also read: “He took us all under his wing”: Hawkeye Star Jeremy Renner is Grateful to Robert Downey Jr. For Being a Good Friend

Jay Leno Draws Backlash After a Tweet About Jeremy Renner

Comedian and automotive enthusiast, Jay Leno, had perhaps drawn the short end of the stick when it comes to accidents and injuries. The past few months have not been kind to the television host as reports of him being burned in a garage fire were then followed by Leno suffering a motorcycle accident resulting in a broken collarbone, injured ribs, and kneecaps. The two incidents that were placed a couple of months apart, however, became a subject of comedy when Leno decided to take to Twitter to share his thoughts on the parallels between his and Renner’s situation:

I was riding my motorcycle up in Lake Tahoe and I came around the corner and bam, I crashed into Jeremy Renner’s snowplow.

— Jay Leno (@jayleno) January 27, 2023

The “tasteless” tweet initially drew an avalanche of fan criticism and hatred for its insensitivity and ill-timing. People commented on Jeremy Renner almost losing his limbs in the aftermath of the accident, which resulted in Renner suffering from blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries.

Not funny. Renner broke 30 bones in the process of saving his nephew’s life. Respect to the guy. Pure guts.

— John Dawson (@JRDAWSONTV) January 28, 2023

Maybe Jeremy Renner will tweet about how he wheeled his wheelchair up to your garage and roasted marshmallows on your fire. You are tasteless.

— Patriotxl (@patriotxl) January 28, 2023

But as criticism mounted and comments flooded in about how improper the joke was in the face of the tragedy that has been circling the Renner household since New Year’s Day, some observers in the timeline came forward to defend Leno by pointing out how the reception of the joke depends on the subject’s perspective aka Jeremy Renner himself.

For everyone getting upset with Jay, a couple of thoughts. First Jay was in a real accident, speedy recovery Sir. 2d if we don’t bring some levity to life then life becomes just an angry journey. 3d, anyone ask Jeremy his thoughts on the joke? I’m sure he would smile at Jay Leno

— Jimmy Hensley (@JimmyHens) January 28, 2023

Jeremy Renner was in an accident recently involving a snowplow that made a lot of news, and Jay Leno was recently in two accidents that made a lot of news. So combining their two experiences is the joke… people will often do this to cheer up themselves and others. It’s nice.

— Ted York (@TedYork) January 28, 2023

The Jay Leno tweet may have faced a healthy dosage of criticism from both sides of the argument. However, the crux of the matter remains contained within the context of the post wherein a comedian made an observational joke about an incident that managed to grab headlines and involved himself in it. The ill-timing could be called into question had Renner still been under intensive care but while the Hawkeye actor recovers rapidly, defying all expectations, a little humor from the recuperating victims of tragedies can be appreciated without exposing it under divisive scrutiny.

Also read: “He’s determined to go through this”: Marvel Star Jeremy Renner is Not ready to Give up Amid Reports of Him Losing His Leg

A Brief History of Jay Leno’s Rise to Popularity

The television personality grew in popularity throughout the 70s and 80s before ultimately succeeding Johnny Carson as The Tonight Show host in 1992. Leno’s turbulent rise in the late-night talk show scene, marched parallel to Letterman’s famed show, eventually rising above it in popularity, and over time, became a people’s favorite as the platform became a foreground for tackling controversial subjects head-on and shedding light on difficult conversational pieces.

Ever since taking over from Carson, Leno’s most sensational episodes contained appearances from Hugh Grant after the British actor’s 1995 arrest, coverage of the 2005 Michael Jackson trials (where Leno also appeared as a defense witness), and Ye after the infamous 2009 MTV VMA incident when the Grammy-winning rapper clashed on-stage with Taylor Swift during the award ceremony.

Also read: Celebrities Who Are Banned From Popular Late-Night Shows

In the recent past, the former host has grown obsessed with all things automotive and Jay Leno’s Garage was soon launched on NBC with the synopsis: From classics to supercars, restoration projects to road tests, Jay Leno’s Garage is the place where Jay shares his passion for all things automotive. However, the string of bad luck that has followed the comedian has now caught up to his passion as well as the network is reportedly canceling the show after a successful run spanning 7 seasons.

Source: Twitter