Johnny Carson

Who Was Johnny Carson?

Johnny Carson, a renowned comedian and television host, began his career as a television writer for The Red Skelton Show after completing college. In 1962, he succeeded Jack Paar as the host of The Tonight Show, embarking on an Emmy Award-winning tenure that spanned three decades. Carson’s final appearance as host in 1992 captivated an audience of approximately 50 million viewers. He passed away in 2005.

Early Years

Born on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa, to Ruth and Homer R. Carson, a power company manager, Johnny Carson demonstrated an early talent for entertaining. At the age of 12, he developed a passion for magic after acquiring a magician’s kit through the mail, subsequently performing as “The Great Carsoni.”

In 1943, following high school, the 18-year-old Carson enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an ensign. He served as a communications officer, decoding encrypted messages aboard the USS Pennsylvania. During his service, he continued to entertain his fellow shipmates with magic performances, one of which was for James Forrestal, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. Despite being assigned to combat in the summer of 1945, Carson did not see battle, as World War II concluded following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

After returning to the United States, Carson enrolled at the University of Nebraska in the fall of 1945, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in radio and speech four years later. Following his graduation, he briefly worked as a television writer for The Red Skelton Show in Los Angeles before relocating to New York City to pursue larger audiences.

Hosting ‘The Tonight Show’

In October 1962, Johnny Carson succeeded Jack Paar as the host of The Tonight Show. Despite facing fluctuating ratings during his inaugural year, Carson soon emerged as a prime-time sensation. Audiences found solace in his calm and steady presence, which became a staple in their living rooms each evening. Renowned for his affable demeanor, quick wit, and incisive interviews, Carson guided viewers into the late-night hours with a familiarity that deepened over the years. His show featured interviews with prominent Hollywood stars and the hottest musical acts, keeping Americans informed about popular culture. He also reflected the era’s distinguished personalities through his memorable impersonations, including a classic portrayal of President Ronald Reagan.

Carson was known for his creation of several recurring comedic characters, one of the most notable being Carnac the Magnificent, an Eastern psychic who purportedly had the answers to a myriad of perplexing questions. In these sketches, Carson donned a colorful cape and turban, attempting to answer questions written on cards before even unveiling their sealed envelopes. In true Carnac fashion, he would demand silence before responding to prompts such as, “Answer: Flypaper.” “Question: What do you use to gift wrap a zipper?”

Serving as the host of The Tonight Show for three decades, Carson’s tenure was marked by significant accolades, including six Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His final appearance as host in 1992 captivated an estimated 50 million viewers.

Personal Life

Carson’s personal life was marked by a series of relationships, leading to four marriages. He wed Jody Wolcott in 1948, with whom he had three sons. The couple divorced in 1963, and shortly thereafter, Carson married his second wife, Joanne Copeland. This marriage ended in 1972, culminating in a protracted legal battle that resulted in Copeland receiving a settlement of nearly $500,000 along with annual alimony payments from Carson. That same year, Carson married his third wife, Joanna Holland, from whom he filed for divorce in 1983.

Following a 35-year span of marriage, Carson experienced life as a single man from 1983 to 1987. He married for the final time in June 1987 to Alexis Maas, and they remained together until Carson’s passing nearly eighteen years later.

Death and Legacy

In 1999, Carson suffered a severe heart attack at the age of 74 while resting at his home in Malibu, California. He subsequently underwent quadruple-bypass surgery. Carson passed away in January 2005 at the age of 79 due to respiratory failure resulting from emphysema.

Regarded as one of the most iconic figures in American television, Carson has received widespread acclaim from numerous contemporary comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and Jimmy Fallon, for their career launches facilitated by his influence. Today, Johnny Carson is celebrated as a television legend with a legacy that endures globally.