Biography
A towering figure in the history of television, Johnny Carson was the host of "The Tonight Show" (NBC, 1954- ) for three decades. During that time, the congenial Midwesterner established a blueprint for the job through his quick wit, impeccable taste in guests (especially comedic talent) and personable delivery that made every guest - from the biggest star to the man on the street - shine in the spotlight. Carson's magnetism and talent made …
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Career Milestones
1999 | Underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery | |
1992 | Signed a multiyear contract with NBC to star in and develop programming for the network | |
1991 | Announced that final broacast as host of the "Tonight Show" will be May 22, 1992 | |
1980 | Threatened to quit the "Tonight Show" in 1979; the action won him a new contract, shortened the show from ninety minutes to one hour and increased in salary to $5 million a year | |
1964 | Feature acting debut, "Looking For Love" | |
1962 | Replaced Jack Paar (October 1); show renamed "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" | |
1960 | Starred in a primetime TV pilot, "Johnny Come Lately" (which didn't make it to the regular season schedule) | |
| Emceed quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" On ABC-TV; joined for first time by longtime sidekick Ed McMahon in 1958 | ||
1957 | Moved to Harrison NY | |
1957 | TV acting debut, "Playhouse 90" | |
1955 | Hosted and scripted first series, "The Johnny Carson Show" on CBS-TV | |
1954 | Became emcee for TV quiz show, "Earn Your Vacation" | |
| Was a writer for TV series, "The Red Skelton Show" (1951- 71) | ||
1951 | Hosted first TV show, "Carson's Cellar" | |
1950 | Became announcer of station KNXT, Los Angeles | |
1948 | Moved to WOW, WOW-TV (show called "The Squirrels Nest") in Omaha | |
1948 | Radio announcer, KFAB, Lincoln, Nebraska | |
| Served as ensign in the US Navy during WWII | ||
| Performed ventriloquism and magic as "The Great Carsoni" at Elks, Moose and Redmen Lodges from age 14 in Norfolk, Nebraska | ||
| Grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska | ||
Awards
1992 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program Series in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1991 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1987 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1986 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1985 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1984 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1983 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1981 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1980 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement-Special Class in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1979 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement - Special Class in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1978 | Primetime Emmy Award for Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1977 | Primetime Emmy Award for Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1975 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1974 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music-Variety Series in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1972 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series - Talk in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1971 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series - Talk in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |
1965 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievements In Entertainment in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson |