Comedian Johnny Carson is recognized as one of America’s favorite television hosts of all time. After appearing on several shows, as well as in the Broadway production of The Tunnel of Love in 1957, Carson landed the biggest role of his career on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on NBC. Carson filled that role from 1962 until his retirement in 1992.

John William Carson was born on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa. After serving in the United States Navy from 1943-1946, he accepted a position at WOWT-TV in Omaha, Nebraska. It wasn’t long before his career in entertainment was well underway, earning him guest roles on various television shows, eventually leading to his highly successful hosting role on The Tonight Show.

Carson had three sons, Christopher, Richard and Cory, with his first wife, Joan Morrill Wolcott.

In 1963, his marriage to Wolcott ended in divorce. The couple’s son, Richard, was tragically killed in a car accident in 1991. Carson was married three more times, two of which also ended in divorce.  At the time of his death on January 23, 2005, resulting from emphysema, Carson was married to his wife of 18 years, Alexandra Mass.

Carson earned a number of awards during his 44 year career. Such awards include six Emmy’s, a People’s Choice award, a Peabody Award, a BMI Film & TV award along with several others. He was also honored with a Star on the Walk of Fame, an induction into the Hall of Fame of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Kennedy Center Honor. This television pioneer and king of late-night television will never be forgotten. His invaluable contributions to the arts throughout his career have helped to shape modern day television, and will continue to do so for many years to come.