Johnny Carson Video Showcase

John William "Johnny" Carson (October 23, 1925 - January 23, 2005) was an American actor, comedian and writer best known for his iconic status as the host of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" for 30 years. Carson was born in Corning, IA, to parents Homer "Kit" Lloyd Carson, a power company manager, and Ruth Hook Carson. Johnny Carson grew up in Norfolk, NE, where he learned to perform magic tricks, debuting as "The Great Carsoni" at age 14. He attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, where he received V-12 officer training, and then served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. Carson then attended the University of Nebraska where he joined Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1949. The next year, Carson took a job at WOWT radio and television in Omaha. He appeared on radio with Ken Case, an Omaha native who was later a news anchorman and sports broadcaster in Monroe, LA. Carson soon hosted an early morning television program called "The Squirrel's Nest"; Carson then took a job at CBS-owned Los Angeles television station KNXT, which was his entry to the big time.

In 1953, well-known comic Red Skelton - a fan of Carson's sketch comedy show, "Carson's Cellar", which ran from 1951 to 1953 on KNXT - tapped Carson to join his show as a writer. In 1954, Skelton knocked himself unconscious just one hour before his live show went on the air; Carson filled in for him.

He hosted several TV shows before his run on "The Tonight Show", including the game show "Earn Your Vacation" (1954), the variety show "The Johnny Carson Show" (1955 - 1956), a regular panelist gig on the first version of "To Tell The Truth" until 1962 and a five-year stint on the game show "Who Do You Trust?" (1957-1962), during which Carson met long-time sidekick Ed McMahon.

In 1960, Carson was a candidate to play the role of TV writer Rob Petrie in a new sitcom created by Carl Reiner entitled "Head of the Family". At the suggestion of producer Sheldon Leonard, however, Dick Van Dyke was given the role and the series was subsequently retitled "The Dick Van Dyke Show".

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Johnny Carson became the host of NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (taking over after Jack Paar quit) in October 1962. His announcer and sidekick was Ed McMahon throughout his entire tenure with the program.

For millions of people, watching "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" at the end of the evening became a ritual, and Carson, with his quick wit and natural charm, became a well-known entertainer loved by many. Most of the later shows began with music and the announcement by Ed McMahon "Heeeeeere's Johnny!", followed by a brief comedic monologue by Carson. This was often followed by comedy sketches, interviews, and music. Carson's trademark was a phantom golf swing at the end of his "Tonight Show" monologues, aimed at stage left where the Tonight Show Band was located. Guest hosts would sometimes parody that gesture. Bob Newhart, for example, would finish by simulating rolling a bowling ball toward the audience.

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"And so it has come to this: I, uh... am one of the lucky people in the world; I found something I always wanted to do, and I have enjoyed every single minute of it. I want to thank the gentlemen who've shared this stage with me for thirty years, Mr. Ed McMahon... Mr. Doc Severinsen... and... you people watching, I can only tell you that it has been an honor and a privilege to come into your homes all these years and entertain you-and I hope when I find something that I want to do, and I think you would like, and come back, that you'll be as gracious in inviting me into your home as you have been. I bid you a very heartfelt good night."

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