CNN.com - Johnny Carson, late-night TV legend, dies at 79 - Jan 24, 2005 Johnny Carson, late-night TV legend, dies at 79 ON CNN TV Larry talks to Ed McMahon on the life of Johnny Carson. VIDEO Comedian, magician, radio announcer, comedy writer, television host Host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" for 30 years -- 4,531 episodes Born: October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa Parents: Homer "Kit" Lloyd Carson, a power company manager, and Ruth Hook Carson Education: B.A., University of Nebraska, 1949 Military: Ensign, U.S.

Navy, 1943 - 1946 Married: Alexis Mass, 1987-present Joanna Holland, 1972 - 1983, divorce Joanne Copeland, 1963 - 1972, divorce Joan "Jody" Wolcott Carson Buckley, 1949-1963, divorce Children: Christopher, born 1950 Richard, born 1952, died 1991 in car accident Cory, born 1953 (CNN) -- Johnny Carson, host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" for nearly 30 years, died Sunday of emphysema. "He passed away this morning," Carson's nephew, Jeffrey Sotzing, told CNN. Carson, a longtime smoker, was 79 and had announced in 2002 that he was suffering from the disease. Carson was host of the late-night talk show from October 1, 1962, to May 22, 1992, taking over from Jack Paar and handing off to Jay Leno after 4,531 episodes.

"It is a sad day for his family and for the country," "Late Show" host David Letterman said in a statement Sunday. "He was the best -- a star and a gentleman." Carson kept a low profile after leaving "The Tonight Show" in 1992. "He has been greatly missed since his retirement" Letterman said. "Thank God for videotapes and DVDs. In this regard, he will always be around." Born John William Carson on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa, he is survived by his fourth wife, Alexis, and sons Christopher and Cory from his first marriage, to Joan "Jody" Wolcott. Another son, Richard, died in a car accident in 1991. Despite decades on television, Carson was never open publicly with the details of his personal life. "Nobody got to know him," said comedian Joan Rivers, who often substituted for Carson as a "Tonight Show" guest host. "He was very private." Teenage magician Carson began his show business career as a teenage magician and ventriloquist before serving in the Navy during World War II.

After the Navy, he attended the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1949 with a bachelor of arts degree. While still in college, Carson took a job as an announcer with KFAB in Omaha, Nebraska, and two years later moved to Los Angeles, California, where he took an announcer's job at KNXT-TV. A year later, the boyish-looking budding comedian had his own show -- "Carson's Cellar" -- 15 minutes of poking fun at the news, on which Carson persuaded stars of the 1940s and 1950s to appear for free. In the midst of the show's run, famed clown Red Skelton hired Carson as a writer -- and even put him on as host on live television when Skelton was injured during a rehearsal. "The Johnny Carson Show" spent 39 weeks on CBS in 1955 and 1956, then he moved to New York, where he was host of ABC's quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" and met Ed McMahon, who became Carson's sidekick until Carson retired from "The Tonight Show" 35 years later.

Under Carson, "The Tonight Show" earned 42 Emmy nominations and won seven trophies. Carson picked up a Golden Globe nomination in 1975, three years after moving the show from New York to Hollywood. Carson was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987. An estimated 50 million people watched his final broadcast in 1992. "And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it," Carson said to close his final show. "I bid you a very heartfelt goodnight." President George H.W. Bush awarded Carson the Medal of Freedom on December 11, 1992, and the following year he was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award. Carson's departure led to a bitter battle to replace him, between Letterman, whose "Late Night with David Letterman" followed "The Tonight Show" on NBC's schedule, and frequent guest host Jay Leno.

Leno won and remains the host; Letterman jumped to CBS, where he is host of "The Late Show." Who's Who of top comedians Carson is credited with boosting the careers of numerous young comedians. "The Carson show changed your life," Rivers said. "If Carson liked you, you were set. He got the bright comics. He picked the ones who were different, who were smart." The list of other Carson alumni reads like a Who's Who of top comics -- Bill Cosby, David Brenner, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin and Garry Shandling. "He gave me a shot on his show and in doing so gave me a career," Letterman said. "A night doesn't go by that I don't ask myself, 'What would Johnny have done?'" "All of us who came after are pretenders," Letterman said. "We will not see the likes of him again." Rivers said she, too, owes her start -- and her later introduction to the man who became her husband -- to Carson. "We all started on his show," Rivers said. "Every solid comedian today really got their break on the Carson show." Carson had a special knack for putting people at ease, comedian Jackie Mason said.

"The nervousness never lasted more than a second because he was so congenial and comfortable," Mason said. "He made more stars on his show, probably, than anybody in the whole history of show business." A guest's ability to make the host laugh was the sign of a successful appearance, said Dr. Joyce Brothers, who appeared on Carson's show about 90 times. "If you made Johnny Carson laugh, the sun shone. It was such a triumph for you, and he was always, always kind," Brothers said. "[He] never said a cutting remark in all of the years that I watched the show, and I watched it for years and years, because it was fun to go to bed feeling happy and pleased." "He was kindness personified," Brothers said. Rivers called Carson "the best straight man in the business." "Nobody in the world was like him," she said. "He was absolutely the best I've ever worked with." But Rivers said Carson never spoke to her again after she left to start her own late-night show -- one of many challenges he fended off during his time on "The Tonight Show." And Carson worked hard to maintain his privacy, Brothers said. "He had his own entrance onto the stage," she said.

"He had his own makeup room. "You never spoke to him at all before the show. He didn't want the guests to say something funny, and then feel that they were too embarrassed to say it on air." Peter Lassally, Carson's executive producer for 23 years, took credit for Carson's continuing to write jokes for Letterman until recently. "It gave him great pleasure," Lassally told CNN. "He'd pick up the paper in the morning and could think of a dozen jokes and had no outlet for them, so I urged him to share them with America." Story Tools Johnny Carson (I) - News NEWS 22 July 2005 | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news » There has been a changing of the guard behind the scenes at CBS' The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson . Peter Lassally , a veteran producer and alumnus of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and CBS' Late Show With David Letterman , has been tapped as executive producer of the late-night strip, produced by Letterman's Worldwide Pants production banner. Comedian Ferguson took over hosting duties on the show in January from original frontman Craig Kilborn .

"We are fortunate to have in Peter a legend of late-night television, whose years with Johnny Carson and David Letterman make him uniquely qualified to guide Craig Ferguson and 'The Late Late Show' into the future," Worldwide Pants CEO Rob Burnett said. Lassally will continue in his role as senior vp late-night at Worldwide Pants in addition to his exec producing duties. » 9 February 2005 | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news » While most other syndicated shows were down for the week ending Jan. 30, the entertainment newsmagazines saw a boost with coverage of Johnny Carson 's death and Donald Trump 's wedding. Entertainment Tonight jumped 4% to average a 5.9 household rating, a new season high for the strip, according to Nielsen Media Research. Inside Edition (4.0) was up 11% to post a new season high, rookie The Insider (2.9) was up 4% to average its second-highest rating ever, Access Hollywood (2.8) increased by 4% to tie its season high, and Extra (2.4) was flat but maintained its season high.

» 2 February 2005 | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news » NEW YORK -- David Letterman 's Monday night tribute to his mentor Johnny Carson was Late Show 's highest-rated show in almost two years. According to fast-affiliate data released Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research, CBS' Late Show With David Letterman delivered a 6.0 household rating/15 share Monday night. The show featured Letterman's remarks -- and jokes secretly written for him by Carson before his Jan. 23 death -- and guests Peter Lassally , a longtime producer of NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Doc Severinsen , Carson's longtime bandleader. Letterman's tribute came a week later than The Tonight Show With Jay Leno because Letterman's show wasn't in production last week. Tonight Show delivered a 4.9/12 on Monday. Last week, Leno chalked up near-record ratings with his Jan. 24 Carson tribute episode, which pulled in an 11.2 household rating/26 share.

» 28 January 2005 | WENN | See recent WENN news » Funnyman Chris Rock has called in some expert help as he prepares to host the Oscars for the first time next month - comedy masterminds Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno . Rock, Seinfeld and Leno met up with American comics Garry Shandling and Bill Maher to pay their respects to late TV icon Johnny Carson at Carson's favorite Hollywood restaurant, Dan Tana's, earlier this week. But the night of mourning quickly turned into a round of quickfire jokes as Rock's friends reportedly helped him create his opening monologue for the big show on February 27. » 25 January 2005 | WENN | See recent WENN news » Hollywood stars Billy Crystal , Oprah Winfrey and Woody Allen have led a host of tributes to late TV legend Johnny Carson , who died on Sunday. The former Tonight Show host passed away at the age of 79 after a long battle with the respiratory disease emphysema. When Harry Met Sally star Crystal says, "He was the greatest talk show host of our time with the quickest mind. To me, he always knew exactly who he was and was always in control.

He was a true giant." Chat show queen Winfrey labeled Carson "one of the greats of our time", while Allen enthused, "I liked him very much, as a comedian and as a person. I have only the most positive things to say about him. I found him to be a terrific guy." Comedienne Joan Rivers laments, "He gave me my career. You never forget when you've been working as a waitress and an office temporary and you've been working strip joints at night, and then Carson says to you, 'You're going to be a star' on the air, and it happens." Steve Martin adds, "He loved to laugh. His occasional touch of boyish naughtiness made America a sweet and kind place to be, and he without doubt enriched our nation." California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger paid tribute to Carson as "an irreplaceable member of the entertainment community", adding, "Johnny Carson shared his spirit and laughter with his family, friends and countless fans.

Johnny was a great friend and always showed me profound respect." » 24 January 2005 | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news » NBC Universal chairman and CEO Bob Wright was a close friend and frequent traveling companion of Johnny Carson 's. "He was always a lot of fun to be with. Johnny and (his wife) Alex and my wife, Suzanne, and I went all kinds of places together -- places as close as Catalina island and Vancouver and as far as Russia and Tanzania. He had an extraordinary gift for languages. Six months before we went to Russia, he learned to speak Russian. When we went to Africa, he learned to speak Swahili. He worked hard to be extremely knowledgeable about the places we were going ... One of the most memorable times was one night when we were on safari in Tanzania (in the mid-1990s), camped in the middle of Serengeti, pretty far from everything, with about 10 natives who were running the safari. We come across a group of them and in the middle there's Johnny, entertaining them in Swahili.

We didn't know what he was saying but he was clearly telling jokes and they were all laughing. It was just the most remarkable experience -- here were some place so isolated and here was Johnny Carson entertaining these people." » 24 January 2005 | WENN | See recent WENN news » Legendary TV host Johnny Carson died Sunday morning in his Malibu home after a three-year battle with respiratory disease emphysema. He was 79. Carson shot to fame in 1962 when he replaced Jack Paar as the host of NBC's Tonight Show , which he left in May 1992 after three decades as one of America's best-loved presenters and four consecutive Emmy Awards. The Nebraska native made his first TV appearance when he was just 14-years-old, as a magician on The Great Carsoni, and returned to the small screen with comedy show Carson's Cellar after Navy service in World War II. He went on to host numerous TV quizzes and variety shows, most notably The Johnny Carson Show , before hosting daytime game show Who Do You Trust , where he was joined by Ed McMahon , who became his Tonight Show sidekick.

Carson's nephew, Jeff Sotzing says, "Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning. He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service." Carson leaves behind his fourth wife Alexis Mass and two sons. Read IMDb.com's obituary for Johnny Carson » Johnny Carson Dies at 79 23 January 2005 | IMDb News Johnny Carson , who became a cultural icon by staying up late with America for thirty years as host of The Tonight Show , died early Sunday morning; he was 79. Carson's nephew, Jeff Sotzing, issued a brief statement to the Associated Press, saying that Carson was surrounded by family at his passing and that there would be no memorial service. No further details, including location or cause of death, were given. Born in Iowa and raised in Nebraska, Carson began his career in radio before moving on to television, where he worked for game shows and wrote for comedian Red Skelton 's comedy show. It was during his tenure for Skelton that Carson got his big break, going on for the comedian one night when Skelton was injured backstage.

His snappy patter, boyish good looks, and spot-on timing got him various jobs hosting game shows and variety shows, as well as a gig subbing for Jack Paar on The Tonight Show in 1958. When Paar left the show in 1962, NBC named Carson his successor, and he reigned over the late-night airwaves for thirty extremely successful years, winning six Emmys, a Peabody award, and ultimately the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.

Paired with sidekick Ed McMahon , who opened The Tonight Show with the legendary "Heeeeere's Johnny!" salutation, Carson achieved a kind of showbiz royalty that put him at the top of Hollywood heap; dubbed the "king of late night," he was a mammoth figure on the cultural landscape, hosting innumerable guests from all walks of life and charming audiences with his opening monologues and comedy skits, including a long-running gag as "Carnac the Magnificent." Numerous attempts were made to topple him from his throne, but none could come close, and his rampant success often made salary negotiations with NBC most difficult for the network, and in the early 80s he became the highest-paid television performer in history. Reducing his schedule, Carson brought in a number of up-and-coming comedians to ease the workload, among them David Brenner , Joan Rivers , and Jay Leno , who would ultimately succeed him in a controversy that also included the seeming heir apparent, David Letterman . Carson also performed in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and hosted the Academy Awards five times.

Carson was married four times, including a marriage to Joanna Holland in the 80s that prompted a notorious divorce case and innumerable alimony jokes on his show. After retiring in 1992.a television event that had a host of celebrities bidding him a fond and sad farewell.Carson traveled extensively and lived a wealthy and quiet life of retirement, eschewing a number of offers to appear again on television. Carson is survived by his fourth wife, Alexis, and two sons from his first marriage; a third son, Ricky, died in a car accident in 1991. --Prepared by IMDb staff » 23 January 2005 | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news » NEW YORK -- Johnny Carson was hailed Sunday as a class act whose example set the standard for late-night television and helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in show business.

"Our 34 years of working together, plus the 12 years since then, created a friendship which was professional, familylike and one of respect and great admiration," said his longtime sidekick, Ed McMahon , in a prepared statement after Carson died Sunday morning of emphysema at age 79. "When we ended our run on 'The Tonight Show' and my professional life continued, whenever a big career decision needed to be made, I always got the OK from the boss," McMahon added. One who counted himself the beneficiary of Carson's generosity was David Letterman , a Carson protege who almost inherited the Tonight Show mantle at NBC. He said in a statement Sunday that Carson gave him a career-launching shot on The Tonight Show in 1978. Letterman added that Carson's influence remains alive and well on "The Late Show With David Letterman," in which he said he doesn't go a night without asking what Carson would have done. "He was the best -- a star and a gentleman," Letterman said.

» 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2000 15 items from 2005 IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | US TV legend Johnny Carson dies US TV legend Johnny Carson dies Johnny Carson interviewed Groucho Marx as his first Tonight Show guest US TV star Johnny Carson has died at the age of 79, after losing a battle with the respiratory disease emphysema.

The legendary former host of NBC's Tonight Show was surrounded by family and died peacefully, his nephew said. Carson retired from the top-rated late-night entertainment show in 1992 after 30 years as one of the most popular TV personalities in the US. President Bush led the public tributes, saying Carson "had a profound influence on American life and entertainment". In 2002 Carson, who often smoked during his show, was diagnosed with emphysema - a disease associated with smoking. "Mr Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning," said his nephew, Jeff Sotzing. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service." 'Heeeeere's Johnny!' Carson began his career on television stations in his home state of Nebraska in the late 1940s.

His boyish looks won over both audiences and guests on the Tonight Show, with Carson's appearance on set announced by sidekick Ed McMahon's catchphrase: "Heeeeere's Johnny!" I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it Johnny Carson in 1992 Carson was America's king of late-night television, dominating it from 1962 to 1992, the BBC's Steve Futterman in Los Angeles says. In many ways he perfected the late-night chat show, our correspondent says. It would begin with a fast-paced monologue, usually dealing with events from around the world. The butt of the jokes was often American presidents, from Kennedy to Nixon to Reagan. But he was not afraid to laugh at himself - in fact some of the best moments were when a joke failed, our correspondent adds. He remained popular until his retirement in May 1992, when an estimated 55 million viewers watched him hand over the Tonight Show host duties to comic Jay Leno. Carson told the audience: "And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world.

I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it." Quiet retirement His personal life did not match his career success, however. Carson was married four times and divorced three times. He choose to let the Tonight Show stand as his finale, withdrawing into a quiet retirement and refusing to become involved in other show business projects. In 1993, Carson explained his absence from the limelight to the Washington Post newspaper. "I have an ego like anybody else," he said, "but I don't need to be stoked by going before the public all the time." He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992. TV's Johnny Carson dies aged 79 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) TV's Johnny Carson dies aged 79 Updated January 24, 2005 12:21:00 Map: United States Legendary television entertainer Johnny Carson has died of emphysema at age 79. Carson hosted NBC's popular The Tonight Show for nearly 30 years, long dominating late-night television with an estimated 12 million viewers each night.

He did his final show on May 22, 1992 - seen by 55 million - and was replaced by the current host, Jay Leno. Sidekick Ed McMahon introduced him nightly with the rallying cry of "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!". Carson's blend of humour, music and conversation was the last thing millions of Americans heard before drifting off to sleep. "I am one of the lucky people in the world. I have found something I liked to do, and I have enjoyed every single minute of it," a teary-eyed Carson said as he closed the show for the last time in 1992. "I bid you a very heartfelt goodnight." In later years, Carson became something of a recluse in his Malibu, California home, rarely venturing into the public eye. After a 1999 quadruple bypass heart operation, Carson cut back on his tennis and discontinued his annual treks to Africa, the French Riviera and the Wimbledon tennis tournament. He had battled emphysema for years.

-Reuters First posted January 24, 2005 07:00:00 Top Stories Nebraska names theater school for Carson - TODAY.com Today.com Nebraska names theater school for Carson 2005-06-12T16:49:07.000Z comment () Late-night television king Johnny Carson now has a department at his alma mater named after him. University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Theatre Arts is now called the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. The university's Board of Regents approved the name change on Friday. Carson, who hosted the "Tonight Show" for 30 years, approved of the name change before he died in January at age 79. The idea was presented to him by university officials before the legendary talk show host donated $5.3 million to the school in November. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1949.

Johnny Carson - Biography - IMDb Johnny Carson Biography Showing all 103 items Jump to: Overview (5) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (4) | Trade Mark (3) | Trivia (51) | Personal Quotes (39) Overview (5) 5' 10½" (1.79 m) Mini Bio (1) Johnny Carson, the legendary "King of Late Night TV" who dominated the medium's nether hours for three decades, was born in Corning, Iowa, but moved with his family to nearby Norfolk, Nebraska when he was eight years old. It was in Norfolk, where he lived until he was inducted into the US Navy in 1943, that he started his show business career. At age 14, Carson began appearing as the magician "The Great Carsoni" at local venues. In 1962, Carson was chosen by NBC to succeed the controversial Jack Paar and his The Jack Paar Tonight Show (1957). Paar had decided to quit the show and begin a once-a-week show for NBC in prime time on Friday nights.

Carson would never be controversial like Paar, preferring to good-naturedly skewer politicians and celebrities in his opening monologue and staging stunts such as the on-stage marriage of retro-singer Tiny Tim to his "Miss Vicky" in 1969. His popularity with the late-night audience became so great, and the income from advertising on his show so profitable that, in 1967, NBC had to lure Johnny back to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) after a walkout with a three-year contract guaranteeing him a minimum of $4 million. In the early 1970s, TV Guide reported that Carson was earning $2 million a year, making him the highest paid TV entertainer ever, a record he repeatedly surpassed, pulling down a then-record $5 million annual salary in the 1980s. Carson created a sense of intimacy with his guests and audiences that made him the unvanquished "King of Nighttime TV".

Countless talk shows hosted by the likes of Joey Bishop and Dick Cavett and other non-talk show programs were launched against him year after year only to fail, with the notable exception of ABC News Nightline (1980) halfway through his reign. Aside from his loyal audience, Carson was beloved by his guests and the legions of young comics whose careers were launched on "The Tonight Show", colloquially known as "The Johnny Carson Show". His tempestuous love-life, which included two high-profile divorces, became the fodder of such celebrity staples as "The National Enquirer" and later "People Magazine", and he was even the subject of a roman a clef pulp novel in the early 1970s. There have been at least seven published biographies of Carson. After brief stints on radio stations in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, Carson's career was exclusively in television, starting with work at Nebraska TV stations in the late 1940s which preceded his 1951-53 skit program Carson's Cellar (1953) on Los Angeles station KNXT-TV.

Attracting the attention of the industry, he was hired as a comedy writer for The Red Skelton Hour (1951) which provided him with a career breakthrough when Skelton was injured backstage and Carson substituted for him, delivering his first monologue before a national audience. This led to a stint as the host of the quiz show Earn Your Vacation (1954) and the variety showcase The Johnny Carson Show (1955) in 1955-56. The man who would soon become the most famous late-night TV personality in history hosted the daytime game show Who Do You Trust? (1956) from 1957-62, teaming up with long-time sidekick Ed McMahon in 1958. Before his triumph on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), Carson tried his hand at dramatic acting, appearing in "Three Men on a Horse" (episode # 1.29) during the inaugural season of Playhouse 90 (1956) in 1957.

In 1960, he shot a pilot for a prime-time TV series, "Johnny Come Lately", that was not picked up by a network. Carson had sat in for "Tonight Show" host Jack Paar in 1958 and, when Paar left the show four years later, NBC chose Carson as his replacement, taking over the cat bird seat on Oct. 2, 1962. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) became a major phenomenon in American pop culture in the 1960s and beyond. Sidekick McMahon's "Heeeeere's Johnny!!!" introduction of Carson became a cultural catchphrase, memorably re-prised by Jack Nicholson in Stanley Kubrick 's The Shining (1980), Woody Allen 's character in the Best Picture Academy Award-winning Annie Hall (1977), stand-up comic Alvy Singer, is recognized in front of a movie theater by a street tough due to his appearance on "The Tonight Show".

Aside from his banter with celebrities, he amused his audience for 30 years with broadly played skit comedy by his "Mighty Carson Players" and his spoof clairvoyant "Carnac the Magnificent". A master at quick repartee, Carson was a relaxed host with a pleasant, ingratiating manner and was quite funny as a skit comedian, but it was the monologue in which Carson's comic genius flourished. He made memorable put-downs of politicians and celebrities, a format still used by his successors Jay Leno and David Letterman and legions of comics who came after him. But it was his ironic self-awareness that made him radically different from such monologists as Bob Hope . When a joke bombed during his monologues, Carson would do a wounded double-take as the audience jeered, fully aware of the awfulness of the joke he had just unloaded. Following these bombs with a sly, self-deprecating remark engendered a sense of intimacy between Carson and his fans.

Carson typically moved the blame for a groaner onto his joke writers, which created a "We're in this together" camaraderie with his audience that spawned a whole new era of self-referential comedy, perhaps best epitomized by Letterman, the man Carson wanted to succeed him on "The Tonight Show". A liberal in the increasingly liberal age of the 1960s and 1970s, so powerful were his opening monologues that by the early 1970s, he could actually affect society at large outside of the pop culture realm. A joke about a shortage of industrial grade toilet paper caused a national panic and a run on all grades of t.p., with a resulting shortage of the product about which he had kidded. Playing off current events such as the Watergate crisis, his comic evisceration of President Richard Nixon was credited with some critics as exerting such a drag on Nixon's approval rating that it made his resignation possible, if not inevitable. After Carson's reign, it became increasingly de rigueur for politicians to appear on late-night TV talk shows and bear a host's jibes in order to stump for votes.

Carson's connection with the American culture was so absolute, it contributed to one of his few failures, the rejection of "The Tonight Show" in the early 1980s by British audiences who could not understand the topical references of his monologues. And his audience's identification of Johnny with the "Tonight Show" effectively stopped him from work in other media. In the mid-1960s, Carson's agents wanted to trade on his vast popularity to position him in motion pictures as the "New Jack Lemmon ", but Carson never made the foray outside of television. His connection with the movie industry remained his hosting of three generations of stars and his memorable turns as the host of five Academy Awards telecasts from 1979 to 1984. In that role, he generally is regarded as the best successor to long-time Oscar host Bob Hope . He did stretch his wings as a producer, his Carson Productions producing TV pilots and series, TV movies and Late Night with David Letterman (1982) in addition to his own talk show.

The six-time Emmy-winner considered a follow-up to "The Tonight Show", but nothing caught his interest and he spent the last decade of his life in a quiet retirement in Malibu, California, as befitted his private nature. Thus, it was "The Tonight Show" that remains his creative legacy. Unlike every other TV star, he remained on top until the very end, the show winning its ratings period every year for 30 years. When Carson retired, his last appearance was one of the highest rated late night TV shows ever. "I have an ego like anybody else", Carson told The Washington Post in 1993, "but I don't need to be stoked by going before the public all the time". Frederick De Cordova , the producer of "The Tonight Show" throughout Carson's 30-year run, believed that Johnny never pressured himself to launch a follow-up as he already had achieved unprecedented success on TV. "He is one of a kind, was one of a kind", De Cordova said in 1995. "I don't think there's any reason for him to try something different".

Carson, who was suffering from emphysema and had quadruple bypass surgery in 1999, died peacefully at the age of 79 on the morning of Sunday, January 23, 2005, surrounded by his family and friends. In terms of career longevity, popularity, peer respect and impact on the medium, Carson ranks with Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason as one of the greatest stars of television. Not only will Johnny be sorely missed, he WAS sorely missed by his legions of fans after his retirement. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Jon C. Hopwood Spouse (4) Golf swing at the end of his The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) monologues Jokes about his alimony payments Trivia (51) (March 19, 1999) Underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery at Santa Monica Hospital (CA) after suffering a severe heart attack. Lived in Norfolk, Nebraska from age 8 until he was inducted into the US Navy in 1943.

Carson made monetary donations totaling nearly $5 million to causes and organizations there, including the Carson Regional Cancer Center (named after his parents), the high school's Johnny Carson Theater, the Norfolk Public Library, the Norfolk Arts Center, the Elkhorn Valley Museum and Research Center, and the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College. He last visited Norfolk in 1997 when he attended his former penmanship teacher Fay Gordon's 100th birthday party. Was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987. Served in the U.S. Navy, 1943-1946. When he retired in 1992, he held the record for hosting the same network series for the longest time: 29 years, 7 months, 21 days. The record was broken by Bob Barker on The Price Is Right (1972) in 2002. Had a lifelong interest in magic, and sent away for a mail-order magic kit when he was 12.

Soon he started performing for bridge clubs and church socials as a 14-year-old magician/comic, under the name "The Great Carsoni." Plied his magic tricks in early performing days of the 1950s in places like the Seven Seas lounge in Omaha, Nebraska. Once appeared on New American Bandstand 1965 (1952) and stood in for a drummer. One of his early jobs was as a ventriloquist. At the tenth anniversary party for The Tonight Show, he announced that he and former model Joanna Holland had married that afternoon, shocking friends and associates. [September 30, 1972]. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992. First wife, Joan "Jody" Morrill Wolcott, was his college sweetheart. They divorced and later, in 1990, she lost a suit trying to increase the alimony that she was receiving. In April 1967 he walked off The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) convinced that NBC had violated his contract by showing reruns during an AFTRA strike.

He refused to go back to work when the strike ended and won a new contract that reportedly guaranteed him an income in excess of $4 million for the following three years. Served on the USS Pennsylvania. The story goes he met his last wife, Alexis Mass, when he saw her strolling along the beach near his Malibu home holding an empty wine glass. He left his house and offered to fill the glass up for her. Son Richard Wolcott Carson was killed on June 21, 1991 after his car plunged down a steep embankment along a coastal road. The accident apparently occurred while he was taking pictures along a paved service road off Highway 1 near Cayucos, north of San Luis Obispo (CA). Johnny Carson had two other sons: Christopher, named after his paternal grandfather, and Cory Carson . Son of Homer Carson , who was manager of the Iowa-Nebraska Light & Power Company, and homemaker Ruth Carson . On March 8, 1983, Joanna Holland filed for divorce. Under California's community property laws, she was entitled to 50% of all the assets accumulated during the marriage, even though Carson earned virtually all of the couple's income.

During this period, he joked on The Tonight Show: "My producer ( Frederick De Cordova ) really gave me something I needed for Christmas. He gave me a gift certificate to the Law Offices of Jacoby and Meyers". The divorce was settled in 1985 with a whopping 80-page settlement, Holland receiving $20 million in cash and property. Brother of Dick Carson , and Catherine Carson . Member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Although he announced on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Episode dated 22 May 1992 (1992) (his final episode) that he hoped to return soon with a new project, he chose to fully retire from the public eye instead and declined invitations to appear on talk shows and NBC anniversary specials. He did made a few exceptions over the years: He provided a guest voice for The Simpsons: Krusty Gets Kancelled (1993), and he brought the house down with a brief, surprise appearance on Late Show with David Letterman (1993) to congratulate Letterman on his new show.

After a protracted divorce from his second wife, Joanne Carson , she got nearly half a million dollars in cash and art and $75,000 a year in alimony for life. His very first guest on The Tonight Show was Groucho Marx , who introduced Carson. Reacting to the ensuing applause, Carson said, "Boy, you would think it was Vice President [ Lyndon Johnson ]". Johnny's last guest was Bette Midler , who sang him out. Co-wrote "Johnny's Theme" with Paul Anka when he signed on in 1962 as the new host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962). Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 95-97. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387 During one live dog-food commercial on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), when a stunt dog failed to appear on cue, Johnny came out on all fours, panting and licking announcer Ed McMahon 's hand, to keep the commercial going.

Celebrated New Year's Eve once in his teens by shooting off his father's rifle at midnight, accidentally taking out the family water heater. Was a member of the exclusive Hollywood Gourmet Poker Club with fellow card players Chevy Chase , Martin Short , Steve Martin , Carl Reiner , Barry Diller and Neil Simon . When Carson announced his impending retirement, there was fierce competition between David Letterman and Jay Leno to be Carson's "Tonight Show" successor. Leno eventually won the coveted spot, and an angry Letterman moved over to rival network CBS to host a competing show. Many, including Leno, took Carson's walk-on appearance on Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as a signal from Carson that he preferred Letterman to Leno. (Carson has never appeared on Leno's show to congratulate his "Tonight Show" successor). In January 2005, one-time Late Show with David Letterman (1993) producer Peter Lassally revealed that Carson occasionally contributed material for Letterman's monologues. What he missed most in retirement was performing his own "Tonight Show" monologues, according to Lassally.

In addition to his walk-on appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman (1993) stage, he also appeared on another episode in a filmed segment where Letterman has car problems while visiting Hollywood and Carson drives past, shaking his head in disapproval. Won Kennedy Center Honors in 1993. Had once been considered for the part of "Rob Petrie" on what subsequently became The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961). In 1949 received a Bachelor of Arts degree in radio and speech (with a minor in physics) from The University of Nebraska. "'I'll be right back.'" Carson, when asked what he'd like for an epitaph at a press conference after he'd accepted Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Club Man of the Year Award, 1977. Bob Hope , commenting on Carson's retirement, said it was like "a head falling off Mt. Rushmore. He's had a profound impact on millions of lives. He changed people's sleeping habits, sex habits and their midnight eating habits." He made one foray into movies - he played himself in the 1964 Connie Francis movie, Looking for Love (1964).

The MGM flick didn't do that well, and Carson was never seen in movies again - except for those contemporary films where The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) is playing on a TV set in the scene. He was a fan of Elvis Presley . Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 65-68. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007. While serving in the Navy during WWII, Carson filled in for an absent Rita Hayworth during a USO performance by Orson Welles 's 'Mercury Theater Wonder Show' in which he had to be sawed in half by Welles. Taught himself how to speak Swahili before going on trips to Africa during his retirement. Was considered for the role of Cookie in the Elvis Presley picture G.I. Blues (1960), according to the Hal B. Wallis papers at AMPAS Library. While in the US Navy during World War II (1943-1945), he was an undefeated amateur boxer, posting a record of 10 wins.

Most of his boxing matches were held on the USS Pennylvania, the ship on which he served. According to the PBS series American Masters (1985), Carson was seen by more people on more occasions than anyone else in American history. Uncle of Jeff Sotzing . Mill Creek Entertainment has issued a four-DVD boxed set called "Johnny Carson: Late Night Legend", consisting of more than 23 hours of shows culled from his late-night talk show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962). Inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 1987. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Tributes paid to TV legend Carson Tributes paid to TV legend Carson Johnny Carson hosted the Tonight show for more than 30 years Stars of US TV have paid tribute to legendary presenter Johnny Carson, who died on Sunday at the age of 79. The former host of NBC's Tonight Show passed away after losing a battle with the respiratory disease emphysema. Comedian Joan Rivers, talk show host Oprah Winfrey, actor Bill Cosby and Woody Allen were among those who paid tribute to the entertainer. President George W Bush said Carson "had a profound influence on American life and entertainment".

His occasional touch of boyish naughtiness made America a sweet and kind place to be Steve Martin, comedian He added: "Johnny Carson was a steady and reassuring presence in homes across America for three decades." Carson retired from the top-rated late-night entertainment show in 1992 after 30 years as one of the most popular TV personalities in the US. His Tonight show helped launch scores of comedy careers, including Joan Rivers, Bill Cosby, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor and George Carlin. Rivers called Carson "truly the best straight man ever". "He gave me my career," she said. "You never forget when you've been working as a waitress and an office temporary and you've been working strip joints at night, and then Carson says to you, 'You're going to be a star' on the air, and it happens." 'Generous' man Actor and comedian Steve Martin said Carson "loved to laugh". "His occasional touch of boyish naughtiness made America a sweet and kind place to be, and he without doubt enriched our nation," he added. Bill Cosby said he remembered Carson as a generous performer. "Johnny was responsible for the beginning and the rise of success for more performers than anybody," he said.

"I doubt if those numbers will ever be surpassed." Joan Rivers said Carson launched her comedy career California governor and former movie action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger said Carson was "an irreplaceable member of the entertainment community". He said: "Johnny Carson shared his spirit and laughter with his family, friends and countless fans. Johnny was a great friend and always showed me profound respect." Chevy Chase described Carson as a "real intellect with broad interests" while comedian Rosie O'Donnell said he was "the definition of class and dignity." Daytime talk show host Oprah Winfrey called Carson "one of the greats of our time." Actress and singer Bette Midler, who serenaded Carson during his final show in 1992, said: "I was his last guest, and it was one of the most moving experiences of my life. "He had it all. A little bit of devil, a whole lot of angel, wit, charm, good looks, superb timing and great, great class." 'Terrific guy' Billy Crystal called Carson "the greatest talk show host of our time with the quickest mind". "To me, he always knew exactly who he was and was always in control. He was a true giant," he added.

Woody Allen, who served as an occasional stand-in host for Carson on Tonight, said: "I liked him very much, as a comedian and as a person. I have only the most positive things to say about him. I found him to be a terrific guy." In 2002 Carson, who often smoked during his show, was diagnose with emphysema - a disease associated with smoking. He passed away peacefully early on Sunday morning surrounded by his family. Joanne Carson, Second Wife of Famed 'Tonight Show' Host Johnny Carson, Dies at 84 Joanne Carson, Second Wife of Famed 'Tonight Show' Host Johnny Carson, Dies at 84 Tweet Share Joanne Carson, the second wife of Johnny Carson and a confidant of Truman Capote, died Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported. She was 84. The divorced wife of the legendary Tonight Show host died at her home on Sunset Boulevard in Westwood, Ed Rada, a former managing director of Los Angeles’ Center Theatre Group and trustee of her estate, told the newspaper.

A model who had worked as a stewardess for Pan American World Airways, Joanne Copeland went on her first date with Johnny in 1960, when he was working as the host of a game show, Who Do You Trust?, based in New York City. “Johnny kind of said to me on our first date, &lsquoYou love comedy so much, would you like to come up and see a show that I did?’” she told Larry King on his CNN show in 2007. “And I said, &lsquoIs this a new way of saying come up and see my etchings?’” Their marriage lasted from 1963 — the year after Carson landed his Tonight Show gig, which would last three decades — until their divorce in 1972. After her marriage dissolved, the California native (who was raised in a convent) returned from New York and worked as a TV talk-show host in Los Angeles. Read MoreHollywood's Notable Deaths of 2015 In 1974, Joanne wanted to write a “a lovely story about my friendship” with the people she knew in Hollywood, she told the Times in October.

Her book editor wanted something a bit more salacious, so she abandoned the project. She did, however, complete one 38-page chapter, which Capote edited, about meeting Johnny. The author had a writing room in her home, and the In Cold Blood novelist died there on Aug. 25, 1984, of liver cancer at age 59. Joanne had original kinescopes of some of Johnny’s work before The Tonight Show — the same tapes that he had asked her to watch on their first date — and she released them on a set of DVDs in 2007. In a memoir published in October 2013 , Johnny’s longtime attorney Henry Bushkin wrote that Joanne had had an affair with retired New York Giants football player Frank Gifford (then married to his first wife, college sweetheart Maxine) in the early 1970s. She denied that ever happened. Johnny, who died in January 2005 at age 79, had four wives in all and often made jokes about his inability to stay married (and about how much that cost him in alimony). Joanne, who had no children, later married and divorced Richard Rever.

Twitter: @mikebarnes4 Reblog Johnny Carson Memorial Website Johnny Carson 1925 - 2005 The unchallenged king of late night, Johnny Carson, host of the Tonight Show for 30 years, died on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 of emphysema at the age 79. Johnny spent 30 years as America's most beloved late night TV personality. Johnny set the tone now followed by many who work to follow in his footsteps. Many a career in show business can be directly attributed to this man's great ability to elevate talent and groom success. Appearing on 4,531 shows over his 30 years on The Tonight Show, Johnny introduced his audience to some of todays finest and most well known talents. His fans adore him and those he helped get started will never forget the debt they owe to Johnny. Truly a legendary man to admire, bringing smiles to millions of viewers every weeknight evening during his phenomenal run on the Tonight Show.

Your Name: NBC Developing Johnny Carson Miniseries Based On The Life Of The 'Tonight Show' Legend | The Huffington Post NBC Developing Johnny Carson Miniseries Based On The Life Of The 'Tonight Show' Legend 09/20/2013 04:08 am ET Getty NBC is developing a miniseries based on the life of "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson, the network announced Thursday. The project will be inspired by the upcoming biography “Carson the Magnificent: An Intimate Portrait” by Bill Zehme, and will cover Carson’s legendary 30-year run as host of “The Tonight Show,” as well as his childhood growing up in Nebraska, his often secluded off-camera life, and friendships he made throughout his career as one of the most beloved TV personalities of all time. Casting for the role of Carson has yet to be announced, with no potential airdate yet specified. Zehme and John Davies will executive produce the series. According to NBC, Zehme is one of the few journalists to have had access to Carson, having written a profile of the late-night host, “The Man Who Retired,” for Esquire in 2002.

Carson died in January 2005 at the age of 79. He interviewed over 22,000 guests during his tenure as host of "The Tonight Show," leaving plenty of scope for the potential miniseries. Late Night Talk Shows

Question: He died aged 79 in 2005; who was the legendary host of US TV’s ‘The Tonight Show’?
Answer: Johnny CARSON