![\"Comedian](\"https:\/\/ik.imgkit.net\/3vlqs5axxjf\/TW\/ik-seo\/uploadedImages\/Art\/2023\/0605\/T0605JAYLENO_C\/Comedian-and-former-host-of-%22The-Tonight-Show%22-Jay.jpg\" "\\"Comedian")
<\/p>\nComedian 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Leno will also perform a comedy show for Carnival guests as part of a partnership with Carnival World Mastercard.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0for Carnival.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leno said he was honored to be named the godfather. “It was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Venezia will begin sailing from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n