Skip to footer

Obama on 'The Tonight Show': Six famous presidential TV cameos

Presidential press conferences and official speeches are commonplace on TV, but less-formal appearances are rare for the commander in chief. President Obama's appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" Tuesday got us thinking: Which other sitting presidents have appeared on TV? Read on for six more examples.

Obama on 'The Tonight Show'

REUTERS/Jason Reed
U.S. President Barack Obama laughs during taping of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Burbank.

  • By Andrew Heining Staff writer
  • Geoff Johnson Contributor
  • Leigh Montgomery Staff writer
  • Andrew Mach Contributor

Tonight President Obama will make his fourth appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." You'll hear him weigh in on topics such as Republican opposition to Iraq withdrawal, the death of Muammar Qaddafi, his diminishing approval rating, the GOP debates, and the White House getting egged on Halloween.

Obama made two appearances on the show as a presidential candidate, and his last appearance was in 2009, shortly after taking office. He was the first-ever sitting president to appear on "The Tonight Show."

1 of 7
You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us