Jay Leno takes 'Tonight Show' pay cut after over 20 staffers laid off

Approximately two dozen staff members at "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" are being laid off after a budget overhaul at NBC -- and there would be even more layoffs if it weren't for Jay Leno himself, who has accepted a significant pay cut in order to spare workers.

According to the LA Times, Leno was earning between $25 million and $30 million per year previously, but will now be earning $20 million to free up budget room for his team. "Jay's foremost concern is for the wonderful people who work for 'The Tonight Show,'" says his rep in a statement. "He did what was necessary to ensure their well-being."

In addition to Leno, several other staffers with large salaries will be accepting pay cuts for the sake of other staffers. The weekly budget of the show, estimated to be $2.3 million before budget restructuring, is now at $1.7 million.