Shae

Johnny Carson, longtime host
of ‘Tonight Show,’ dies at 79
Hosted pioneering late-night show 30 years
Talk-show host Johnny Carson, during his final taping of “The Tonight Show” in 1992, was a television legend.
The Associated Press
Updated: 2:52 p.m. ET Jan. 23, 2005Johnny Carson, the “Tonight Show” TV host who served America a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter, droll comedy and heartland charm for 30 years, has died. He was 79.

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“Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning,” his nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told The Associated Press. “He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service.”

Sotzing would not give further details, including the time of death or the location.

The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.

His wealth, the adoration of his guests — particularly the many young comics whose careers he launched — the wry tales of multiple divorces: Carson’s air of modesty made it all serve to enhance his bedtime intimacy with viewers.

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“Heeeeere’s Johnny!” was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as “Carnac the Magnificent.”

But America never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992. In his final show, he told his 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.”

Professional perfectionist
His personal life could not match the perfection of his career. Carson was married four times, divorced three. In 1991, one of his three sons, 39-year-old Ricky, was killed in a car accident.

Nearly all of Carson’s professional life was spent in television, from his postwar start at Nebraska stations in the late 1940s to his three decades with NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” FREE VIDEO

• Passing of a legend
Jan. 23: NBC's Traci Potts reports on the career of longtime "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson, who passed away Sunday at the age of 79.
MSNBC



Carson choose to let “Tonight” stand as his career zenith and his finale, withdrawing into a quiet retirement that suited his private nature and refusing involvement in other show business projects.

In 1993, he explained his absence from the limelight.

“I have an ego like anybody else,” Carson told The Washington Post, “but I don’t need to be stoked by going before the public all the time.”

He was open to finding the right follow-up to “Tonight,” he told friends. But his longtime producer, Fred de Cordova, said Carson didn’t feel pressured — he could look back on his TV success and say “I did it.”

“And that makes sense. 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 spent his retirement years sailing, traveling and socializing with a few close friends including media mogul Barry Diller and NBC executive Bob Wright. He simply refused to be wooed back on stage.

'Let the work speak for itself'
“The reason I really don’t go back or do interviews is because I just let the work speak for itself,” he told Esquire magazine in 2002 in a rare interview.

The former talk show host did find an outlet for his creativity: He wrote short humor pieces for The New Yorker magazine, including “Recently Discovered Childhood Letters to Santa,” which purported to give the youthful wish lists of William Buckley, Don Rickles and others.

Carson made his debut as “Tonight” host in October 1962. Audiences quickly grew fond of his boyish grin and easy wit. He even made headlines with such clever ploys as the 1969 on-show marriage of eccentric singer Tiny Tim to Miss Vicki, which won the show its biggest-ever ratings.

The wedding and other noteworthy moments from the show were collected into a yearly “Tonight” anniversary special.

In 1972, “Tonight” moved from New York to Burbank. Growing respect for Carson’s consistency and staying power, along with four consecutive Emmy Awards, came his way in the late 1970s.

His quickness and his ability to handle an audience were impressive. When his jokes missed their target, the smooth Carson won over a groaning studio audience with a clever look or sly, self-deprecating remark.

Politics provided monologue fodder for him as he skewered lawmakers of every stripe, mirroring the mood of voters. His Watergate jabs at President Nixon were seen as cementing Nixon’s fall from office in 1974.

He made presidential history again in July 1988 when he had then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton on his show a few days after Clinton came under widespread ridicule for a boring speech at the Democratic National Convention. Clinton traded quips with Carson and played “Summertime” on the saxophone. Four years later, Clinton won the presidency.

Taking all late-night comers
Carson dispatched would-be late-night competitors with aplomb. Competing networks tried a variety of formats and hosts but never managed to best “Tonight” and Carson.

There was the occasional battle with NBC: In 1967, for instance, Carson walked out for several weeks until the network managed to lure him back with a contract that reportedly gave him $1 million-plus yearly.

From msnbc.com

I was raised on loving legendary t.v. personalities. So I am pretty sadened that Johnny died.

Rest in peace dear friend.

BoneCrusher

I grew up with him always there at night. Leno, Lettermen ... none of the others ever achieved anything close to what Johnny did.

min0 lee

Johnny was the best there will ever be of late night hosts. He was and still is the king.
Rest in peace.

Rich46yo

He was a Giant...........RIP...........Rich

"Death to Tyrants"!

Prince

wow, that sucks.

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R.I.P...

I remember many a funny late night from watching Johnny

Drama is the result of an attempt
to find wholeness & success
in the midst of forces that have been
birthed in chaos and nurtured in confusion.
-- No More Drama

mrguy

Yes, it's sad.

I'm just wondering why they make passing mention that smoking killed him.

He was a heavy smoker and died from Emphysema. Seems to me when famous people die from smoking related causes, it would make perfect fodder to banning smokes.

Oh wait! That's right it's Pro-hormones and Ephedra that is killing everybody and it really only matters if over paid athletes croak from abusing a substance. So many people die from smoking each day, it's just not news worthy.

What was I thinking?

Was on a Ephedrine buying Frenzy before it was to late... Now, I've got enough stocked up to last 10 years!!

oaktownboy

he was the best late night talk show host ever..period..

Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

Dale Mabry

Even including Jimmy Kimmel, IMO.


I never watched him as a young pup, but it is sad nonetheless.

If sense were common, everyone would have it.

4/2007-Current 75th Ranked most popular image 1 spot behind Prince's bulge...

BoneCrusher

I would add that ... since Johnny put Lettermen on the air ... if DL has any class he will honer Johnny in some grand fashion on Monday night