NBC has laid off about two-dozen staffers from “The Tonight Show” in an effort to cut costs at the late-night show, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Its host, Jay Leno, took a “significant” salary cut to save other jobs on the line at the show, the person said. Mr. Leno’s current salary is reportedly between $ 20 and $ 25 million.
“Jay’s foremost concern is for the wonderful people who work for ‘The Tonight Show,’” said Bruce Bobbins, Mr. Leno’s agent. “He did what was necessary to ensure their well being.”
Between 20 and 25 staffers were let go on Friday, while others accepted salary cuts.
“The Tonight Show” is one of the top-rated late-night programs. The cost cutting comes at a time when NBC’s parent company, Comcast Corp., is trying to stanch the hundreds of millions of dollars in losses at the broadcaster.
Deadline Hollywood earlier reported the layoffs.
Write to Christopher S. Stewart at christopher.stewart@wsj.com