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• Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show for 31 years and was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: October 23, 1925
  2. Birthplace: Corning, IA
  3. Died: January 23, 2005
  4. Married 4 times; fathered 3 children
  5. Grew up in Nebraska
  6. Assumed Tonight Show host duties in 1962 following Jack Parr's resignation
  7. Showcasing of "Football Follies" in 1960s credited for growth of the NFL and NFL Films
  8. Known as the King of Late Night

• Career

  Johnny Carson began hosting radio programs in 1950. Shortly after, he began hosting his own show on CBS. In 1953, Red Skelton hired Carson as a writer and a year later Carson filled in for Skelton after a pre-show accident. During the 50s, Carson hosted numerous shows until he was hired as the host of The Tonight Show in 1962. He held the position until his retirement on May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson died January 23, 2005 of complications due to emphysema.

• Awards

  During his career, he received 6 Emmy Awards, The Governor's Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award. He also served as host of the Academy Awards twice.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  David Letterman | Jay Leno | Ed McMahon | Doc Severinson | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | The Late Show with David Letterman | Late Night with Conan O'Brien | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | Bill Cosby | Jerry Seinfeld | Tim Allen | Joan Rivers | Joey Lawrence | Frank Sinatra | Dean Martin | Jack Paar | Steve Allen | Amazing Kreskin | Johnny Carson Tell All Book

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