Carson, Johnny

in full John William Carson

born Oct. 23, 1925, Corning, Iowa, U.S.

U.S. television personality.

He worked as a radio announcer and television comedy writer before hosting several television quiz shows (1955–62). As the long-standing host of The Tonight Show (1962–92), he was noted for his wry monologues, comedy sketches, and genial banter, and the program became a staple for a large and faithful late-night audience.

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▪ 2006

John William Carson  American comedian (b. Oct. 23, 1925, Corning, Iowa—d. Jan. 23, 2005, Los Angeles, Calif.), served as host of The Tonight Show for nearly 30 years, during which he established the standard format for television chat shows—including the guest couch and the studio band—and came to be considered the king of late-night TV. Although he was a very private man when he was not performing, he had an on-camera wit, self-deprecating humour, easy charm, impeccable timing, and puckish appeal that made him such a welcome presence in the lives of his audience that he became TV's most powerful performer, earning millions of dollars for himself as well as for NBC and launching the careers of numerous future stars. His decision (1972) to move his show from New York to California was instrumental in shifting the power of the TV industry to Los Angeles. Carson became intrigued with prestidigitation when he was 12 years old, and he set about to master the art of magic tricks. “The Great Carsoni” made his professional debut at age 14. Following high-school graduation and World War II service in the navy, Carson enrolled at the University of Nebraska. While there, he participated in student theatrical activities and also worked for a radio station in Lincoln. Upon graduation (1949), Carson took another radio job in Omaha, and in 1951 he began working as an announcer at a TV station in Los Angeles. He was also given a Sunday afternoon comedy show, which led to his being hired as a writer for Red Skelton's show. After Carson substituted successfully for Skelton at the last minute on one occasion, he was given his own show, though it was short-lived. He then moved to New York City and in 1957 became host of the game show Who Do You Trust? In 1962 Carson took over as host of The Tonight Show after Jack Paar left that post. By the time he retired in May 1992, he had created such memorable characters as Aunt Blabby and Carnac the Magnificent, as well as a large number of classic skits, and had become one of the most beloved performers in the country. Carson won four Emmy Awards, was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame (1987), and was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1992) and a Kennedy Center Honor (1993).

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▪ American entertainer

byname of  John William Carson 

born Oct. 23, 1925, Corning, Iowa, U.S.

died Jan. 23, 2005, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.

 American comedian who, as host of The Tonight Show (Tonight Show, The) (1962–92), established the standard format for television chat shows—including the guest couch and the studio band—and came to be considered the king of late-night television.

      Following high school graduation and service in the navy during World War II, Carson enrolled at the University of Nebraska. While there, he participated in student theatrical activities and worked for a radio station in Lincoln. After graduating in 1949, Carson took another radio job, in Omaha, and in 1951 he began working as an announcer at a television station in Los Angeles. He was also given a Sunday afternoon comedy show, which led to his being hired as a writer for Red Skelton (Skelton, Red)'s show. After Carson substituted successfully for Skelton at the last minute on one occasion, he was given his own short-lived variety show, The Johnny Carson Show. He then moved to New York City and in 1957 became host of the game show Who Do You Trust? In 1962 Carson replaced Jack Paar (Paar, Jack) as host of The Tonight Show.

 As the host of that nightly program for three decades, Carson had an unprecedented influence on a generation of television viewers, and his decision in 1972 to move his show from New York to California was instrumental in shifting the power of the TV industry to Los Angeles. He created such memorable characters as Aunt Blabby and Carnac the Magnificent, as well as a large number of classic skits, and became one of the most beloved performers in the country. Carson won four Emmy Awards (Emmy Award), was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (1987), and was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1992) and a Kennedy Center Honor (1993). On May 22, 1992, Carson's final appearance as the host of The Tonight Show attracted an estimated 50 million viewers, the largest audience in the program's history. Comedian Jay Leno (Leno, Jay) replaced Carson as the late-night staple's host.

 

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