Comedian Jimmy Fallon stopped by the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn Friday afternoon to hang out with Ford CEO Jim Farley and factory workers who built the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup, the Free Press has learned.
The host of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” spent nearly an hour touring the new factory with Farley and factory manager Corey Williams and Fallon Gates, a production communications specialist who leads on-site tours.
“I’m not sure who enjoyed the visit more, the employees of the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center or Jimmy Fallon,” said Fallon Gates, introducing herself to the famous visitor in her own funny moment. “Everyone was all smiles. Jimmy said the tour really stunned him.”
Jimmy Fallon made a few stops in metro Detroit; this was just one, Ford said.
Factory workers cheered the actor, who starred in “Saturday Night Live,” as did Chris Farley, Jim Farley’s late cousin.
They flocked to have photos taken with the TV host, and many asked the CEO to take photos with employees’ cell phones as soon as possible.
Factory workers yelled, “We love you,” and Fallon immediately yelled back.
The TV host, who has discussed the infamous “frunk” on his talk show, stopped by the venue to meet workers installing the huge trunk in the pickup.
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Fallon tweeted a video of him singing “Junk in my Frunk” on May 21.
On Friday, he showed UAW employees pictures of his older F-150 and talked about trucks, trucks, trucks.
Ford confirmed information provided to the Free Press about the afternoon event.
The light-hearted meeting between Farley and Fallon comes a week after Ford announced adjusted second-quarter earnings of $3.7 billion, which exceeded industry expectations. The Lightning plays a key role in Ford’s strategy.
In the past, Fallon joked that his Ford pickup was bigger than the apartment he had when he started “SNL” in 1998.
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The talk show CEO and host took a look at a few products, including the Lightning, Bronco Raptor and Mustang Shelby GT500. And they rode the track together.
Farley tweeted photos of the visit on Friday at 7:11 p.m., saying: “I am so happy to host @JimmyFallon at @Ford. Fun day at the track and Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, MI that surprised our teams building the #F150Lightning. Thanks Jimmy!”
Fallon tweeted a reply to Farley 17 minutes later: “You are so smart, fun and a badass. Most importantly – you treat your employees like family and I was so happy to see it all first hand. Thanks for letting me invited … I told yes I would hang out!!!!”
A crew from WDIV, an NBC affiliate that airs Fallon’s and “SNL” show, was invited to interview Fallon and Farley on the track.
The story would air Friday, Ford said.
Jimmy Fallon may have a special place in his heart for the Motor City.
He agreed to be a guest on the Spotify podcast ‘Drive’ hosted by Farley this year, which celebrated the role cars play in our personal lives. Neither of them were paid to do the show.
Ford said Fallon wasn’t being paid to come over on Friday, he just did.
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Contact Phoebe Wall Howard at:313-618-1034or[email protected].Follow her on Twitter@phoebeaid. Read more about Ford and sign up for our cars newsletter.