Jay Leno, NBC talkshow host, takes $5million pay cut

GlobalPost

NBC’s The Tonight Show host, Jay Leno, has taken a massive salary cut after the network laid off 25 of his staff. 

Despite the star's reduced salary, he still earns about $20millon annually, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Leno, 62, reportedly volunteered to slash his salary to save more staffers being sacked.

About 25 employees were laid off on Friday as NBC undergoes major budget cuts, The Wall Street Journal reported.

A spokesman for Leno, Bruce Bobbins, said: "Jay's foremost concern is for the wonderful people who work for 'The Tonight Show.

"He did what was necessary to ensure their wellbeing."

The show is still the number one late-night talkshow. 

The cutbacks are the latest controversial move at NBC after the network was widely criticised for running the Olympics on a tape delay.

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