HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — For the first time in 17 years, Jay Leno called in sick.
The 58-year-old star was hospitalized Thursday with an undisclosed illness, resulting in the cancellation of his 'Tonight Show' taping. While the nature of Leno's ailment was not released, a network rep said the funnyman's condition isn't serious and he'll be back on the job soon.
"Jay Leno is doing just fine," NBC spokeswoman Tracy St. Pierre said in a statement. "He was kidding around with the hospital staff and running his monologue jokes by the doctors and the nurses. He's expected back to work on Monday."
The canceled taping is the first for Leno over the course of his 17-year tenure on the "Tonight Show."
Thursday's scheduled guests were actor Ryan Reynolds, celebrity animal trainer Jules Sylvester and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
As previously revealed by the network, Conan O'Brien will take over "Tonight Show" hosting duties on June 1, with Leno moving into his new NBC primetime gig that will begin airing on weeknights in the fall.
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