Comedian and former host of “The Tonight Show” Jay Leno will be godfather of the Carnival Venezia, which will be blessed on June 14 in New York. 

Leno will also perform a comedy show for Carnival guests as part of a partnership with Carnival World Mastercard.

The ship is the first of a new “Carnival Fun Italian Style” product from Carnival. The Venezia is a former Costa Cruises ship that has been repurposed to serve the U.S. market for Carnival.

Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy noted that the ship, which entered service in 2019, already has a godmother. However, with the rebranding of the ship, Duffy said Carnival decided the Venezia should have a godfather. 

“And when we thought of someone who would make a fun godfather with Italian heritage, we knew Jay Leno would be the perfect godfather!” she said in a statement. 

Leno said he was honored to be named the godfather. “It was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” he said. 

A native of New Rochelle, N.Y., Leno is the grandson of immigrants from the town of Flumeri in the Campania region of southern Italy. 

Leno began his career as a stand-up comedian and later became a household name as host of “The Tonight Show.” He hosted the show beginning in 1992. He took a break from hosting the show in 2009, then resumed in 2010. He ultimately retired from “The Tonight Show” in 2014. 

Leno currently hosts and produces the CNBC primetime series “Jay Leno’s Garage,” a show exploring car culture, which is in its seventh season. He is also the host of the game show “You Bet Your Life.” 

The Venezia will begin sailing from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 15. 

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