John William "Johnny" Carson
was an American actor, comedian and writer best known
for his iconic status as the host of The Tonight Show
from 1962 until 1992.
Carson was born in Corning, Iowa and grew up in Norfolk,
Nebraska, where he learned to perform magic tricks,
debuting as "The Great Carsoni" at age 14.
He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946, then attended
the University of Nebraska where he was a member of
Phi Gamma Delta, graduating with a bachelor's degree
in 1949. The next year, Carson took a job at a local
Nebraska radio station; Carson then took a job at Los
Angeles television station KNXT, which would be 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 – tabbed 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 – and
a star was born.
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), and a five-year stint on the game show Who
Do You Trust? (1957–1962), during which Carson
met long-time sidekick Ed McMahon. |
