Jay Leno, 73, holds hands with wife Mavis, 77, in LA... after conservatorship filing reveals she 'sometimes does not recognize' him amid dementia battle

Jay Leno and his wife Mavis were spotted attending his comedy show in West Hollywood on Wednesday amid a heartbreaking update of her battle with dementia.

The couple held hands while leaving The Improv after court documents obtained by DailyMail.com revealed that Mavis, 77, 'sometimes does not know her husband Jay, nor her date of birth.' 

Leno, 73, reached for his wife's hand as they exited the famed club, with him guiding her alongside friends and comedy show employees. 

The couple, dressed in casual outfits, seemed to be in high spirits before driving away in Jay's red sports car. 

The outing comes after Mavis' court-appointed attorney, Ronald Ostrin, shed new light on her diminishing mental capacity that has greatly affected the couple’s marriage of 43 years.

Jay Leno and his wife Mavis were spotted attending his comedy show in West Hollywood on Wednesday amid a heartbreaking update of her battle with dementia 

The couple, dressed in casual outfits, drove away in Jay's red sports car

‘According to (Mavis’) neurologist, Dr. Hart Cohen, she has advanced dementia, sometimes does not know her husband Jay, nor her date of birth,’ Ostrin said.

’She has lots of disorientation, will ruminate about her parents who have both passed and her mother who died about 20 years ago.’

Dr. Cohen - who was called in to treat Mavis after she had a car crash in 2018 - told Ostrin that Leno ‘loves his wife very much and wanted to bring this matter out of respect to her.

‘He said that Mr. Leno is such a nice man and treats Mavis like gold.’

After completing his investigation of Mavis’ condition and also interviewing Leno, Ostrin backed the comedian’s conservatorship motion which is scheduled to be heard April 9 at a downtown LA court. 

‘Mr. and Ms. Leno have a long-term, loving and supportive relationship,’ he says. ‘They have enough resources to give Ms. Leno a safe and least restrictive environment. Ms. Leno seemed very happy in their cozy environment.

‘However, no one lives forever and the actions taken by Mr. Leno are necessary for his and Mavis’ protection.

‘Mavis does not object to the petition nor as to Mr. Leno acting as her conservator off her estate She consents to it and wants that. Mr. Leno is her protector and she trusts him.

Mavis and Jay attend the 60th Anniversary at The Improv at Hollywood Improv in November, when Jay began pursuing conservatorship

The outing comes after Mavis' court-appointed attorney, Ronald Ostrin, shed new light on her diminishing mental capacity that has greatly affected the couple’s marriage of 43 years 

‘Based on my interaction with Mr. Leno, plus some research, he seems to be a standup guy and his private persona matches the public persona he projects.’

In recommending the court appoint Jay his wife’s conservator, Ostrin adds, ‘The main purpose of the petition is to be able to protect Mavis if something happens to Mr. Leno, but otherwise provide the least disturbance to Ms. let o’s lifestyle and to preserve her dignity and ensure her safety.

‘It is a prudent thing to do and Mavis’ cognitive ability at this time will at least let her provide input as to her testamentary wishes that can inform the estate planning process.’

In a brief exclusive interview with DailyMail.com in January, just after he filed for the conservatorship, Leno said of Mavis, 'She's fine, everybody's good, we're doing well. I just set up a will, in case something happens.'

In his court filing, Leno’s attorneys said Mavis 'lacks the necessary capacity to execute the estate plan' due to her 'major neurocognitive disorders (including dementia)'.

The legal papers describe him as having a 'loving marriage for more than 43 years' with his wife, noting he 'has always handled the couple's finances,' and wanted to ensure she 'has managed assets sufficient to provide for her care should Jay predecease Mavis

'Jay is fully capable of continuing his support for Mavis's physical and financial needs as he has throughout their marriage.

'Jay desires to execute an estate plan, including a revocable trust and will, which will provide for Mavis and Mavis's brother and her sole living heir aside from Jay.'

It is unclear when Mavis, whom he married in 1980, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, however Leno began the process for conservatorship in November.

The couple have been married for 43 years. They are seen in one of their earlier photos from 1979. Pictured, Leno and Mavis attend the taping of The Merv Griffin Show in Beverly Hills

Jay and Mavis Leno are seen at a party in New York in 1981

Jay and Mavis Leno are seen after the Oscars attending the Vanity Fair party in February 2005

Conservatorship is a legal status where a court appoints a person to manage a minor's or incapacitated person's personal and financial affairs.

The couple met at the Comedy Store in the 1970s, marrying in 1980.

'I wasn't very good at dating. I don't drink. I never have. I remember once Mavis wanted a drink, and I said, 'Look, let me give you the money, and you can buy a blouse or something. I don't want to buy you a drink.' And so I gave her $35, and she bought a blouse,' Leno told People in 2022.

During a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Jay said that people should 'marry the person you wish you could be' and that he 'married the perfect person.'