Patrick Leno Died in 2002 from Cancer like His Parents - Inside Jay Leno & Brother’s Close Bond

Patrick Leno was Jay Leno's only sibling. The popular television host and his late sibling had a close relationship before he, like his parents before him, succumbed to cancer in 2002, less than ten years after his parents.

Patrick Leno's parents were immigrants who arrived in the United States of America before they had any of their two boys; hence, Patrick and his little brother were born in the USA. The parents also later became naturalized citizens.

His father, Angelo Leno, was of Italian descent, while his mother, Catherine Muir Leno, had her origins in Scotland. Patrick and Jay were born ten years apart, but the younger brother became more successful. That is not to say that Patrick did not achieve anything significant, especially after his military service.

Patrick Leno Had a Tight Bond with His Little Brother

Patrick Leno was born to Catherine and Angelo Leno on May 12, 1940. Although he was born in Manhattan, New York, he grew up in Andover, Massachusetts, after his family had moved there. Patrick would also later own a house in that part of the country.

Ten years after he was born, his future celebrity brother was born. Still, during Jay's interview with 60 minutes in 2014, he recalled that his brother was the more intelligent one, and he even attended Yale University. The older Leno sibling also distinguished himself as a Vietnam War veteran and later became an attorney.

Besides having a significant age gap, the brothers differed in many other things, including in the education department, where Jay Leno lagged. However, the younger brother ended up being more financially successful. He even bought Patrick a house which Jay has kept despite his brother's passing.

Patrick Leno Passed Away from the Same Diseases His Parents Battled

Patrick had quite an adventurous life early in life. He was drafted into the army in his early 20s and served in the Vietnam War. Despite the brutality of the war, he survived it and went on to have a successful career as an attorney afterward.

In 1993, Patrick received the devastating news of his mother's passing. Jay claims that his father had nothing more to keep him going after her passing. He followed her the year after, in 1994. The Leno parents, who had been married for over five decades, both succumbed to cancer.

Unfortunately for the family, Patrick was also diagnosed with the deadly disease and died less than ten years after his parents had passed. He died on October 6, 2002, in Burlington, Massachusetts, and was buried at West Parish Garden Cemetery, which is in the town where he grew up.

Patrick’s Death Left Jay without His Family

As the Leno parents were immigrants after they moved from far and wide to come and push for the American dream, they did not have members of their extended family around in the United States. Hence, it was always just the Leno parents and their two boys.

The passing of his parents and his brother in less than a decade left Jay as the only Leno of his bloodline left standing. The television host once emotionally shared that he had run out of family. The statement was made after the actor had decided to end his association with "The Tonight's Show."

Leno had lost his whole biological family during his time as host on the show but acknowledged that the people who helped run the show at NBC had ultimately become his adopted family.

Nevertheless, Patrick had lived what can be considered a complete and successful life. He passed on just a few months before his 62nd birthday, and his life had witnessed a lot, not least the Vietnam War. The veteran had also managed to maintain a cordial relationship with his younger brother, Jay Leno.