| Birth: | Oct. 23, 1925
Corning
Adams County
Iowa, USA | | Death: | Jan. 23, 2005
Burbank
Los Angeles County
California, USA | 
Entertainer/Television Host/Comedian. Born in Corning, Iowa, he moved with his family to nearby Norfolk, Nebraska when he was eight years old. At age 14, Carson began his act as the magician "The Great Carsoni" for the local Rotary Club in his hometown. He served in the Navy for two years as an Ensign during World War II. He was a radio/drama major at the University of Nebraska. He hosted his first radio program, "The Squirrel's Nest", at WOW in Omaha. He moved to Hollywood in the early 1950s. He began his television career with "Carson's Cellar", a comedy-variety-talk show. He was a writer for "The Red Skelton Show". Host of quiz show, "The Johnny Carson Show". He hosted the daytime game show, "Who Do You Trust?" teaming up with long-time sidekick Ed McMahon in 1958. He tried his hand at dramatic acting, appearing in "Three Men on a Horse" during the inaugural season of "Playhouse 90". In 1960, he shot a pilot for a prime-time TV series, "Johnny Come Lately," but that was not picked up by a network. He succeeded Jack Paar as host of The Tonight Show on October 1, 1962. Over his career he hosted a number of network television specials, including the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards, and performed stand-up comedy at the top hotels in Las Vegas. In the early 1970s, TV Guide reported that Carson was earning $2 million a year, making him the highest paid TV entertainer ever, a record he repeatedly surpassed, making a then-record $5 million annual salary in the 1980s. He was beloved by his viewers and guests, along with the legions of young comics whose careers were launched on "The Tonight Show". He married Jody Wolcott in1948 and divorced in 1963. He then married Joanne Copeland. Next he married Joanna Holland. His last marriage was to Alexis Maas in 1987. He had 3 children by his first wife. He spent the last decade of his life in retirement in Malibu, California. Unlike every other TV star, he remained on top until the very end, the show winning its ratings period every year for 30 years. When Carson retired, his last appearance was one of the highest rated late night TV shows ever. He suffered from emphysema and had quadruple bypass surgery in 1999. He died peacefully at the age of 79 surrounded by his family and friends. (bio by: Jane Eubanks)
Family links:
Children:
Richard Wolcott Carson (1952 - 1991)*
*Calculated relationship
Cause of death: Emphysema
Search Amazon for Johnny Carson | | | Burial:
Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend. |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 23, 2005
Find A Grave Memorial# 10361659 |
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Added by:
Gardee Hill
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Added by: Anonymous | | | Photos may be scaled.
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Many have tried to replace and or come after you on late night t.v. No one can even come close to you. Thank you for the best years.
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Remember when
Added: May. 20, 2013 |
Many have tried to replace and or come after you on late night t.v. No one can even come close to you. Thank you for the best years.
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Remember when
Added: May. 20, 2013 |
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dan gribble
Added: May. 20, 2013 |
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(4.8 after 1,602 votes)