Johnny Carson

John William "Johnny" Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host and comedian, known for thirty years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992).

Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson 1970.JPG
Carson in October 1970.
Birth nameJohn William Carson
Born(1925-10-23)October 23, 1925
Corning, Iowa
DiedJanuary 23, 2005(2005-01-23) (aged 79)
West Hollywood, California
NationalityAmerican
Years active1950–1992
GenresSatire, sketch comedy, improvisational comedy
Subject(s)current events, American politics, American culture, pop culture
InfluencedDavid Letterman, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon
SpouseJoan Morrill Wolcott
(m. 1949–1963; divorced)
Joanne Copeland
(m. 1963–1972; divorced)
Joanna Holland
(m. 1972–1985; divorced)
Alexis Maas
(m. 1987–2005, his death)
Notable works and rolesHost of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
SignatureJohnny Carson Signature.svg
Websitehttp://www.johnnycarson.com/
Emmy Awards
Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement
1976 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1977 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1978 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1979 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Governor's Award
1980
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program (Series)
1992 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Peabody Awards
Personal Award 1985
American Comedy Awards
Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication
1987 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Lifetime Achievement Award
1992 Lifetime Achievement

Early life and career

Carson was born in Corning, Iowa, in 1925, to Homer Lloyd "Kit" Carson, a power company manager, and Ruth (Hook) Carson, who was of Irish ancestry. He grew up in the nearby towns of Avoca, Clarinda, and Red Oak in southwest Iowa before moving to Norfolk, Nebraska, at the age of eight. At the age of twelve, Carson found a book on magic at a friend's house and immediately purchased a mail-order magician's kit. He debuted as "The Great Carsoni" at age 14 and he was paid US$3; many other performances at local picnics and country fairs followed.

 
Navy portrait of Carson

Carson joined the U.S. Navy on June 8, 1943, received V-12 officer training at Columbia University[1] and Millsaps College,[2] and continued to perform magic.

Death

Carson died in West Hollywood, California from respiratory failure caused by emphysema, aged 79.[3]

Johnny Carson Media

References

  1. "Careers Johnny Carson". Military.com. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
  2. "Timeline". Millsaps College. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  3. Longtime host of 'Tonight Show' dies at 79 Archived 2009-06-22 at the Wayback Machine Associated Press, February 8, 2005

Other websites

  Quotations related to Johnny Carson at Wikiquote
  Media related to Johnny Carson at Wikimedia Commons

Obituaries

Media offices
Preceded by
Jack Paar
Host of The Tonight Show
October 1, 1962 – May 22, 1992
Succeeded by
Jay Leno
Preceded by
Bob Hope
Host of the Academy Awards
1979–82
Succeeded by
Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor and Walter Matthau
Preceded by
Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor and Walter Matthau
Host of the Academy Awards
1984
Succeeded by
Jack Lemmon