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

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.

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.

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• October 23, 1925: Born

• Age 14: Sends away for a magic kit and begins as The Great Carsoni

• 1943-1946: Serves in The United States Navy

• 1953: Is hired by Red Skelton to write jokes for his show

• 1954: Host of game show Earn Your Vacation

• 1957-1962: Host of the game show Who Do You Trust?

• 1962: Chosen to succeed Jack Paar as host of The Tonight Show

• 1978-1981 & 1983: Emcee for the Academy Awards

• 1992: Retires from the Tonight Show following a 30 year stint as "The King of Late Night"

• 1994: Makes a very rare television appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman

• 2004: Announces a 5.3 million donation to Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts

• January 23, 2005: Dies from respiratory arrest from emphysema