Photo: NBC Television / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
The King of Late Night · Norfolk, Nebraska
Johnny Carson
Comedian · Host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
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Who is Johnny Carson?
Johnny Carson (John William Carson, October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American comedian, television host and writer, best known as host of NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson from 1962 to 1992. Comedian Johnny Carson grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska, served in the US Navy, and worked in radio and TV before taking over The Tonight Show. A stand-up set followed by an invitation to his couch became the biggest break a comic could get. He received six Emmy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Kennedy Center Honor.
Career timeline
- 1925Born October 23 in Corning, Iowa; raised in Norfolk, Nebraska
- 1943–1946US Navy
- 1949Graduates from the University of Nebraska
- 1955The Johnny Carson Show on CBS
- 1957–1962Hosts Who Do You Trust?
- 1962Begins hosting The Tonight Show on October 1
- 1992Final Tonight Show, May 22
- 1993Kennedy Center Honors
- 2005Dies January 23 in Los Angeles
Podcast & show guest appearances
0 verified Johnny Carson guest appearances on other shows. His own Tonight Show is not counted, and his career predates podcasts, so none are listed yet.
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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show
NBC, 1962–1992, 30 years as host.
Classic episodes
Clips and full episodes on the official johnnycarson.com.
Johnny Carson movies and TV shows
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992), NBC
- Who Do You Trust? (1957–1962), ABC
- The Johnny Carson Show (1955–1956), CBS
- Host of the Academy Awards five times
Full credits on IMDb.
People
- Ed McMahon, his Tonight Show sidekick
- Doc Severinsen, his bandleader
- Roseanne Barr, Brett Butler and Yakov Smirnoff, comics who broke out on his show
Places
- Corning, Iowa (born)
- Norfolk, Nebraska (raised)
- University of Nebraska (graduated 1949)
- Burbank, California (Tonight Show home from 1972)
Products
- Official site and classic clips: johnnycarson.com
Johnny Carson FAQ
Who was Johnny Carson?
The comedian who hosted The Tonight Show on NBC for 30 years (1962–1992), often called the King of Late Night.
Is Johnny Carson still alive?
No. Johnny Carson was born October 23, 1925 and died January 23, 2005, at 79.
How long did Johnny Carson host The Tonight Show?
30 years, from October 1, 1962, to May 22, 1992.
Where was Johnny Carson from?
Born in Corning, Iowa, and raised in Norfolk, Nebraska.
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Official links
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