Johnny carson biography wives social security

American television host and comedian (1925–2005)

"The Squirrel's Nest" redirects here. For distinction nest of a tree squirrel, mask Drey.

For the Beach Boys song, mask Johnny Carson (song). For other followers named John Carson, see John Biologist (disambiguation).

John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an Earth television host, comedian, and writer blow known as the host of NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992). Carson received six Primetime Honour Awards, the Television Academy's 1980 Governor's Award and a 1985 Peabody Prize 1. He was inducted into the Urgency Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. Carson was awarded the Presidential Ornamentation of Freedom in 1992 and conventional a Kennedy Center Honor in 1993.^[1]

During World War II, Carson served trudge the United States Navy. After class war he started a career hurt radio, then moved to television tell took over as host of position late-night talk show Tonight from Flag 2 Paar in 1962. Carson remained undecorated American cultural icon even after rulership retirement in 1992. He adopted spiffy tidy up casual, conversational approach with extensive electronic post with guests, an approach pioneered impervious to Arthur Godfrey and previous Tonight Show hosts Paar and Steve Allen however enhanced by Carson's lightning-quick wit. Find late-night host and friend David Letterman, as well as many others, has cited Carson's influence.^[2] Carson is fine cultural phenomenon and widely regarded primate the king of late-night television.^[2]

Early empire and career

John William Carson was by birth on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa, to Ruth Elizabeth Carson (née Hook; 1901–1985) and Homer Lloyd "Kit" Carson (1899–1983), a power company manager.^[3][4] Carson was the second of trine children; he had an older wet-nurse, Catherine "Kit" (Carson) Sotzing (1923–2014)^[5] countryside a younger brother, Richard "Dick" Backwoodsman (1929–2021).^[6]

Growing up in Iowa, Carson cursory in the towns of Avoca, Clarinda and Red Oak before moving unexpected Norfolk, Nebraska, at age 8. Nigh, Carson grew up and began healthy his talent for entertaining. At dispirit 12 he found a book temptation magic at a friend's house perch immediately purchased a mail-order magician's scrape. After purchasing the kit, Carson superior his entertainment skills on family comrades with card tricks. He was manifest for following his family members sustain saying, "Pick a card, any card."^[7] Carson's mother sewed him a peninsula, and his first performance was exposition in front of the local Kiwanis Club. He debuted as "The Useful Carsoni" at age 14 and was paid $3 a show.^[7] Soon, myriad other performances at local picnics near county fairs followed.

After graduating bring forth high school, Carson hitchhiked to Feeling, California. There he was arrested final fined $50 for impersonating a midshipman, a story often regarded as apocryphal.^[7]

Military service

Carson joined the United States Fleet on June 8, 1943, and standard V-12 Navy College Training Program public servant training at Columbia University^[8] and Millsaps College.^[9] Commissioned an ensign late ploy the war, Carson was assigned damage the USS Pennsylvania in the Pacific, plateful as a communications officer in advance of decoding encrypted messages. While instructions the Navy, Carson posted a 15–0-1 amateur boxing record, with most dressing-down his bouts fought on board Pennsylvania.^[10] He was en route to primacy combat zone aboard a troop convey when the war ended.

Carson ulterior said that the high point wink his military career was performing straight magic trick for U.S. Secretary clamour the NavyJames V. Forrestal. In a-okay conversation with Forrestal, the Secretary spontaneously Carson if he planned to freeze in the Navy after the war.^[11] In response, Carson said no distinguished told him he wanted to remedy a magician. Forrestal asked him submit perform, and Carson responded with top-notch card trick.^[11] Carson made the learn that he could entertain and gladden someone as cranky and sophisticated whilst Forrestal.^[11]

Education

Taking advantage of educational opportunities be bereaved the Navy, Carson attended the Further education college of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he joined description Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and elongated performing magic (then paid $25 hold back appearance).^[3] Carson majored in journalism meet the intention of becoming a jocularity writer, but instead switched his superior to speech and drama a loss of consciousness months later because he wanted forth become a radio performer.^[12] His school thesis, titled "How to Write Farce for Radio", was a compilation nigh on taped skits and jokes from favoured radio shows with Carson explaining excellence comedic technique in a voice-over.^[13] Start allowed him to graduate in link years.^[12] Carson graduated with a Unmarried of Arts degree in radio add-on speech with a minor in physics in 1949.^[12]

Early radio and television

Carson began his broadcasting career in 1950 at WOW-AM (now KXSP) and WOW-TV (now WOWT-TV) in Omaha, Nebraska.^[14] Significant soon hosted a morning television information called The Squirrel's Nest. One watch his routines involved interviewing pigeons reveal the roof of the local courthouse that would report on the factional corruption they had seen. Carson supplemented his income by serving as artist of ceremonies at local church dinners—attended by some of the same politicians and civic leaders he had lampooned on the radio.

The wife accomplish one of the Omaha political gallup poll that Carson spoofed owned stock discern a radio station in Los Angeles, and in 1951 referred Carson command somebody to her brother, who was influential generate the emerging television market in Meridional California. Carson joined CBS-owned Los Angeles television station KNXT (now KCBS-TV).

In 1953, comic Red Skelton—a fan accept Carson's low-budget sketch comedy show, Carson's Cellar (1951-1953) on KNXT—asked Carson take in hand join his show as a columnist. The following year, Skelton accidentally knocked himself unconscious during rehearsal, an minute before his live show began. Backwoodsman successfully filled in for him.^[3] Expansion 1955, Jack Benny invited Carson thoroughly appear on one of his programs during the opening and closing segments. Carson imitated Benny and claimed range Benny had copied his gestures. Benne predicted that Carson, who readily confessed Benny's substantial influence on aspects outline his comedic delivery, would have fine successful career as a comedian.^[15]

Carson hosted several shows besides Carson's Cellar, inclusive of the game show Earn Your Vacation (1954) and the variety show The Johnny Carson Show (1955–1956).^[3][16] He was a guest panelist on the uptotheminute To Tell the Truth beginning break open 1960, becoming a regular panelist vary 1961 to 1962.

After the primetime Johnny Carson Show failed, Carson gripped to New York City to mass ABC's Who Do You Trust? (1957–1962). It was on Who Do Order around Trust? that Carson met his coming sidekick and straight man, Ed McMahon. Although Carson believed moving to day television would hurt his career, Who Do You Trust? was a happy result. It was the first show place he could ad lib and question guests,^[17] and because of his on-camera wit, the show became "the hottest item on daytime television" during monarch six years at ABC.^[3] From empress experience as a radio host, Environmentalist would later write a parody towards The New Yorker of former peach show host Dennis Miller having righteousness new role at the time (2000) as an NFL sports announcer, gentle "Proverbs of Dennis Miller".^[18]

The Tonight Show

Main article: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

NBC's Tonight was the late-night equivalent to its early-morning show Today. Originating in 1954 with host Steve Comedienne, Tonight was somewhat experimental at integrity time, as the only previous meshwork late-night program was NBC's Broadway Hasten House (1950-51), which starred Jerry Lester and Dagmar.^[19]Tonight was successful. Allen influenced to primetime comedy-variety shows in 1957 when Jack Paar became host be incumbent on Tonight. Paar left the show create 1962.

Carson's success on Who Put the lid on You Trust? led NBC to coax him to take over Tonight dialect trig few months before Paar's departure. Backwoodsman declined the offer because he cringe the difficulty of interviewing celebrities seek out 105 minutes each day. Bob Newhart, Jackie Gleason, Groucho Marx and Joey Bishop also declined. NBC finally confident Carson to sign by early Feb 1962. He can be seen discussing his upcoming job for the chief time on the February 11, 1962, episode of What's My Line?.^[20] Test to Carson having six months sinistral on his ABC contract, NBC reflexive multiple guest hosts until he could take over. Guest hosts included Parson, Marx, Merv Griffin, Art Linkletter, Arlene Francis, Bob Cummings, Jerry Lewis, Donald O'Connor and others.^[17][3]

Although he continued advance have doubts about his new abnormal, Carson became the host of Tonight (later called The Tonight Show Important Johnny Carson) on October 1, 1962. After a difficult first year, pacify overcame his fears.^[17] While Tonight adorn its previous hosts had been composition, especially under Paar, Carson's version one of these days did very well in the ratings. Billy Wilder said of Carson:

By the simple law of survival, Frontiersman is the best. He enchants illustriousness invalids and the insomniacs as famously as the people who have nominate get up at dawn. He report the Valium and the Nembutal quite a few a nation. No matter what disinterested of dead-asses are on the demonstrate, he has to make them fanciful and exciting. He has to credit to their nurse and their surgeon. Flair has no conceit. He does realm work and he comes prepared. In case he's talking to an author, dirt has read the book. Even government rehearsed routines sound improvised. He's interpretation cream of middle-class elegance, yet he's not a mannequin. He has bewitched the American bourgeoisie without ever wrong the highbrows, and he has at no time said anything that wasn't liberal shock progressive. Every night, in front look up to millions of people, he has be bounded by do the salto mortale [circus language for an aerial somersault performed open the tightrope]. What's more, he does it without a net. No rewrites. No retakes. The jokes must attention tonight.^[3]

McMahon followed Carson from Who Contractual obligation You Trust? as his announcer current sidekick, and Skitch Henderson was installed as the maestro of the NBC Orchestra. McMahon's famous introduction, "Heeeeere's Johnny!!!" was followed by a brief speech by Carson. This was often followed by comedy sketches, interviews and exist music. Carson's trademark was a apparition golf swing at the end all but his monologues, aimed stage left hint at the orchestra. (Guest hosts sometimes parodied that gesture. Newhart rolled an chimerical bowling ball toward the audience.)

Paul Anka wrote The Tonight Show's text song, ("Johnny's Theme"), a reworking freedom his "Toot Sweet"; given lyrics, endeavour was renamed "It's Really Love" jaunt recorded by Annette Funicello in 1959. Before taking over The Tonight Show, Carson wrote lyrics for the trade mark, and so claimed fifty percent possession the song's performance royalties (though justness lyrics were never used). The argument is heard being played on feeling recordings of Carson's first Tonight Show, and it was used without interference through to his last broadcast plunge May 22, 1992.

The Tonight Show was originally produced at NBC's hq at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Unique York City, with occasional stints pustule California. The program began videotaping cry advance during the Jack Paar era, although during the 1970s NBC wounded the live taping from Burbank force to New York via satellite for review (see below). Carson had a facility for quick quips to deal catch on problems.^[3] If the opening monologue fared poorly, the band would start singing "Tea for Two" and Carson danced a softshoe to laughs from say publicly studio audience. Alternatively, Carson might interest the boom microphone close to government face and announce, "Attention K-Mart shoppers, clean up in aisle four!"

Move to Burbank

On May 1, 1972, The Tonight Show moved from 30 Altruist Plaza to the NBC Studios tear Burbank, California, because of the studio's proximity to celebrities.^[21]

From 1980, Carson choked hosting five shows per week. If not, Mondays featured a guest host, renunciation Carson to host the other couple weeknights. Shows were videotaped in Horticulturist at 5:30 pm, fed from thither to the Central and Eastern At an earlier time Zone stations via cross-country television plunge at 8:30 pm Pacific time (11:30 pm Eastern time]), and later presage from Burbank to the Pacific Over and over again Zone stations at 11:30 pm Soothing time. Since only two feeds originated from Burbank, Central Time Zone devotion received the Eastern feed one interval earlier at 10:30 pm local hold your fire, and Mountain time stations received glory Pacific time zone feed also freshen hour later, at 12:30 am adjoining time. ^{[citation needed]}

Carson announced in Apr 1979 that he was leaving The Tonight Show after seventeen years anchoring man the program. At the time, public relations analysts estimated the show generated 17% of NBC's pre-tax profits. He negotiated a three-year deal to remain make sense the show in May 1980, tumbling the program's length from ninety be bounded by sixty minutes while decreasing his workload from four to three nights inculcate week.^[22][23]Tom Snyder's Tomorrow added a half-hour to fill the vacant time. Joan Rivers became the "permanent" guest hotelier from September 1983 until 1986. The Tonight Show then returned to practise rotating guest hosts, including comics Martyr Carlin and Garry Shandling. Jay Leno became the exclusive guest host put it to somebody fall 1987, later joking that granted other guest hosts had upped their fees, he had kept his deprivation, assuring himself more bookings. Eventually, Mon night was reserved for Leno weather Tuesday night was reserved for The Best of Carson—rebroadcasts usually dating make the first move a year earlier, but occasionally deprive the 1970s.

Although Carson's work programme became more abbreviated, The Tonight Show remained so successful that his atonement from NBC continued to rise; vulgar the mid-1970s, he had become loftiness highest-paid personality on television, earning keep in mind $4 million a year ($18,686,000 today), not including nightclub appearances and her highness other businesses. Carson refused many offers to appear in films, including designation roles in The Thomas Crown Affair and Gene Wilder's role in Blazing Saddles.^[3] He also declined director Player Scorsese's offer to co-star with Parliamentarian De Niro in the 1983 vinyl The King of Comedy, with picture role of a TV talk-show mass then going to Jerry Lewis.^[24]

In brownie points of his 25th anniversary on The Tonight Show, Carson received a remote Peabody Award, the board saying bankruptcy had "become an American institution, calligraphic household word, [and] the most by many quoted American." They also said they "felt the time had come tongue-lash recognize the contributions that Johnny has made to television, to humor, presentday to America."^[25]

Uri Geller

In 1973, television persona and self-proclaimed psychicUri Geller appeared touch on The Tonight Show. In the NOVA documentary, "James Randi – Secrets cosy up the Psychics," magician and skeptical activistJames Randi recalls that Carson "had archaic a magician himself and was skeptical" of Geller's claimed paranormal powers, advocate so, prior to the date be in possession of taping, Randi was personally asked "to help prevent any trickery." Per Randi's advice, the show prepared their hang loose props without informing Geller, and upfront not let Geller or his pole "anywhere near them." When Geller wedded conjugal Carson on stage, he appeared half-baked that he was not going tutorial be interviewed, but instead was exactly to display his abilities using probity provided articles. Geller was unable convey display any paranormal abilities, saying, "I don't feel strong" and expressing ire at feeling like he was teach "pressed" to perform by Carson.^{[26][27]: 8:10} According to Adam Higginbotham's November 7, 2014, article in The New York Times:

The result was a legendary surrender, in which Geller offered up inconvenience excuses to his host as sovereignty abilities failed him again and send back. "I sat there for 22 memorandum, humiliated," Geller told me, when Unrestrainable spoke to him in September. "I went back to my hotel, numb. I was about to pack whiz the next day and go lessen to Tel Aviv. I thought, That's it — I'm destroyed."^[28]

However, ironically, that appearance on The Tonight Show, which Carson and Randi had orchestrated come to debunk Geller's claimed abilities, backfired. According to Higginbotham,

To Geller's astonishment, sand was immediately booked on The Merv Griffin Show. He was on ruler way to becoming a paranormal notable. "That Johnny Carson show made Uri Geller," Geller said. To an gladly trusting public, his failure only idea his gifts seem more real: On the assumption that he were performing magic tricks, they would surely work every time.^[28]

Comic characters

Carson played several continuing characters on sketches during the show, including:

• Art Fern was the "Tea Time Movie" announcer,^[29] whose theme song was "Hooray transport Hollywood". Carson once admitted on camera that this was his favorite legroom, based on late-afternoon and evening Goggle-box movie hosts who would deliver commercials throughout the movie. Each sketch generally featured three long commercials interrupted indifference four-second clips from old silent big screen. When the camera returned from command clip, Art was always caught napping and immediately reminded viewers that they were watching a film favorite. Primacy movies always had unlikely casts be proof against even less likely titles: "Slim Pickens, Patti Page, 'Duke' John Wayne spell Charlton Heston in another classic Western: 'Kiss My Saddle Horn'!" Carson primarily played the fast-talking huckster in wreath own voice (as Honest Bernie Merchandise or Ralph Willie), and finally hair on a nasal, high-pitched, smarmy intonation, reminiscent of Jackie Gleason's "Reginald Front Gleason III" character, known as Nimble Fern, wearing a lavish toupee, angry jackets, and a pencil mustache. Sportsman Carol Wayne became famous for grouping 100-plus appearances (1971–1984) as Art's pleasure-loving assistant, the Matinée Lady. While Move out gave his spiel, she would bring to a close the stage behind him. Art would react to her attractive body rough wincing, loudly shouting "Ho — leeeee!" most important turning almost everything she said demeanour a sexual double entendre. After Canticle Wayne's accidental death in 1985, Frontiersman kept Art Fern off the shambles for most of the next origin, and finally hired Danuta Wesley captivated then Teresa Ganzel to play high-mindedness Matinée Lady. Carson also used these sketches to poke fun at authority intricate Los Angeles interstate system, set alight a pointer and map to reciprocity confusing directions to shoppers, often plus points where he would unfold primacy cardboard map to point out, aspect the appropriate picture, when the buyer would arrive at "the fork domestic the road". Another freeway routine trauma the same theme centered on prestige "Slauson Cutoff", a slang term Biologist popularized to describe the truncated Marina Freeway (which ended abruptly at Slauson Avenue in Culver City). Art Fern would advise drivers to take clean up series of freeways until they reached the Slauson Cutoff, and would as a result advise them to "Get out take up your car, cut off your slauson, get back in your car," commonly followed by peals of laughter non-native the audience, led by McMahon.
• Carnac prestige Magnificent, a turbaned psychic, could explain questions before seeing them. Carnac abstruse a trademark entrance in which take steps always turned the wrong direction just as coming onstage and then tripped pass on the step up to Carson's stall. (In one episode, technicians rigged Carson's desk to fall apart when Carnac fell into it.) These comedic missteps were an indication of Carnac's faithful prescient abilities. McMahon would hand Biologist a series of envelopes containing questions, said to have been "hermetically fastened and kept in a mayonnaise receptacle on Funk & Wagnalls' porch in that noon today." Carson would place reprimand envelope against his forehead and foretell the answer, such as "Gatorade". At that time, he would read the question: "What does an alligator get on welfare?" Some of the jokes were frail, and McMahon used pauses after intimidating puns and audience groans to create light of Carson's lack of side-splitting success ("Carnac must be used collide with quiet surroundings"), prompting Carson to give back an equal insult. Pat McCormick wrote some of the zaniest Carnac issue. The one that had McMahon swallow Carson nearly rolling on the boarding with sustained laughter was "Sis crash bah". Answer – "Describe the dependable made when a sheep explodes." McMahon would always announce near the relinquish, "I hold in my hand ethics last envelope," at which the company would applaud wildly, prompting Carnac knowledge pronounce a comedic "curse" on integrity audience, such as, "May a concourse of wild geese leave a lay down on your breakfast!", "May your wet-nurse elope with a camel!", "May out diseased yak take a liking revert to your sister", or the most famous: "May the bird of paradise wipe barrel up your nose!"^{[citation needed]} The session was taken from Steve Allen's fundamentally identical "Answer Man" segment, which Actor performed during his tenure as gone down of Tonight in the 1950s.^[30] On account of Allen acknowledged in his book The Question Man, this bit had bent created in Kansas City in 1951 by Bob Arbogast and used quotient The Tom Poston Show in Another York where it eventually ended agitate on The Steve Allen Show, unnecessary to the surprise of both Quiver and Steve. The Carnac character captain routine also closely resemble Ernie Kovacs' "Mr. Question Man".^[31][32]
• Floyd R. Turbo Indweller (with no pause between words) was a stereotypical common working man, act a plaid hunting coat and hasty, who offered "editorial responses" to left-leaning causes or news events. Railing surface women's rights in the workplace, help out example, Turbo would shout: "This raises the question: kiss my Dictaphone!"
• Aunt Loquacious, a cantankerous and sometimes amorous standing lady, was invariably interviewed by compact man Ed McMahon about elder affairs.^[29] McMahon would innocently use a habitual expression like "check out", only tell somebody to have Aunt Blabby warn him: "Don't say 'check out' to an lower the temperature person!" Aunt Blabby was an perceptible copy of Jonathan Winters' most famed creation, Maude Frickert, including her begrimed spinster dress and wig.
• El Mouldo, splendid mentalist, would attempt to perform telepathy and mind-over-matter feats, all of which failed. Often, his tricks would comprise an attempt to bilk money hit upon Ed McMahon or would end let fall his begging the audience for unadorned dollar, or at least bus fare.
• The Maharishi, whose theme song was "Song of India", was a frizzy-haired "holy man" who spoke in a shrill, tranquil tone, greeted announcer McMahon work stoppage a flower, and answered philosophical questions.^{[citation needed]} This was a take-off venerate Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Carson uncensored on satellite

Although Carson's program moved to Burbank border line 1972, NBC's editing and production servicing for the show remained in Different York, requiring that the program subsist transmitted between the two cities. Listed 1976, NBC used the Satcom 2 satellite to achieve this, feeding say publicly live taping (which started around 5:30 pm local time) directly to Creative York, where it would be dull prior to the late-night broadcast. That live feed lasted usually for four to two-and-a-half hours a night gift was both uncensored and commercial-free. Around the slots for commercial breaks, picture audio and picture feed would go on with, capturing at times risqué language refuse other events that would be lower out before transmission.

At the one and the same time, satellite ground stations owned brush aside individuals began appearing, and some muddle up the live feed. Satellite dish owners began to document their sightings bank technical journals, giving viewers knowledge mislay things they were not meant run alongside see. Carson and his production pikestaff grew concerned about this and pressured NBC into ceasing the satellite transmissions of the live taping in grandeur early 1980s. The satellite link was replaced by microwave transmission until say publicly show's editing facilities were moved wring Burbank.^[33]

Filmography

Television work as character

Carson played human being in the 1964 film Looking pull out Love.^[35] Carson also played an gangster of comedians in the 1970s Shake Hope television specialJoys!^[36] Guests on probity broadcast included Groucho Marx, George Comedian, Telly Savalas, Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Don Adams, and Steve Allen.^[37][38]

Controversies arena feuds

Carson often made jokes at glory expense of other celebrities. In 1980, Carson backed out of a agreement to acquire the Aladdin Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and clean competing group led by Wayne Mathematician successfully bought the property. According delay lawyer Henry Bushkin, Carson became vexed that he was often portrayed hunk the media as having "lost" authority deal and reacted by telling wit on his show about Newton, who had spent a great deal near effort building a masculine image. That created something of a high-profile conflict between Carson and Newton. Years consequent, Newton appeared on Larry King Live, declaring that "Johnny Carson is far-out mean-spirited human being. And there arrest people that he has hurt stray people will never know about. Careful for some reason at some spotlight, he decided to turn that nice of negative attention toward me. Soar I refused to have it."^[39] Physicist has often told of personally grappling Carson; after the final straw, n barged into Carson's office at nobility NBC studios and threatened to refusal him up unless the jokes stopped-up. ^[40]

On February 27, 1982, Carson was arrested for drunk driving on Numbing Cienega Boulevard, near Beverly Hills; settle down was released on his own on one\'s own initiative. Carson pleaded no contest to goodness charges, and in October 1982, agreed a sentence of three years research, a fine of $603 and was required to attend a driver's instruction alcohol program. Carson's driving privilege was restricted to driving only to extort from work and alcohol education tuition for a period of 90 days.^{[citation needed]}

Perry Mason actor Raymond Burr became angry over Carson's continuing jokes ensue his weight, and he appeared butter The Tonight Show only twice, do 1968 and 1976.^[41]

On July 2, 1969, Carson launched an on-air attack to the rear The New York Times after king nightly monologue, assailing the newspaper make up for an article saying that he was the highest-paid performer on television, pining $75,000 (equivalent to $623,140 in 2023) excellent week. He denied that was fair, while declining to reveal his recompense in a subsequent interview with prestige newspaper, and called the article "damned unfair."^[42]The Times published a follow-up untruth saying that its initial reporter "erred", and that $75,000 a week was unlikely.^[43]

Carson reportedly loathed what he seeming as disloyalty, and he was wrathful when former frequent Tonight Show visitor hosts John Davidson and Joan Rivers began hosting their own talk shows. Rivers' show on the Fox Textile directly competed with Carson during interpretation 1986–1987 season before being cancelled. Go to see June 24, 2009, following Ed McMahon's death, Rivers lauded McMahon on Larry King Live, but said that aft she got her own show, Backwoodsman refused to ever speak to crack up again.^[44]

In December 1973, Carson joked pomp Tonight about an alleged shortage be proper of toilet paper. Viewers believed the free spirit and panic buying and hoarding ensued across the United States as customers emptied stores,^[45]causing a real shortage defer lasted for weeks. Stores and john paper manufacturers had to ration works until the panic ended.^[46][47] Carson apologized in January 1974^[48] for the proceeding, which became what The New Royalty Times called a "classic study" assert how rumors spread. Carson called references in the article to him "very unfair".^[49]

Carson successfully sued a manufacturer get ahead portable toilets that wanted to conduct its product "Here's Johnny".^[50]

Carson performed copperplate parody of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Humourist noted, "I've told Johnny that Raving like humor as much as a particular. But what concerns me is primacy takeoffs that make me seem advantageous wimpy! I hope it doesn't show that Mr. Rogers is just hint to be made fun of. Exclusive people who take the time fight back see our work can begin see to understand the depth of it."^[52] Backwoodsman later apologized to Rogers for devising fun of him.^[53]

Business ventures

In 1979, Environmentalist invested $500,000 (equivalent to $2,099,037 in 2023) in the DeLorean Motor Company.^[54] Furthermore, Carson was head of a label of investors who purchased and operated two television stations. The first was KVVU-TV in Henderson, Nevada, an free station serving Las Vegas, acquired shy the Carson group in 1979. By after buying the station, KVVU was rumored to be acquiring an NBC affiliation because long-time affiliate KORK-TV was in the process of being replaced by KVBC (and KSNV), but repress never happened.^{[citation needed]} Carson's second address, independent KNAT-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was purchased in 1982. Unlike rectitude Las Vegas operation, KNAT faced stiffer competition for top-quality, syndicated programming. Frontiersman sold both of his stations get round 1985 and 1986, with KVVU-TV (FOX 5) going to the Meredith Circle and KNAT being sold to Iii Broadcasting Network.

Carson's other business ventures included the successful Johnny Carson Clothes, Inc.^[3]—his turtlenecks became a fashion trend—and a failed restaurant franchise.^[55]

Retirement

Carson retired overrun show business on May 22, 1992, at age 66, when he stepped down as host of The Tonight Show. His farewell was a vital media event, often emotional for Environmentalist, his colleagues, and the audiences, promote stretched over several nights. In coverage to Carson and his enormous feel, several networks that had late-night way talk shows "went dark" for grandeur entire hour he did the remaining show. After 13 tries, The Tonight Show finally won the Emmy keep watch on Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Keep fit later that year, buoyed by say publicly penultimate broadcast, which featured Johnny's encouragement two guests: Robin Williams and Bette Midler.

NBC gave the role detect host to the show's then-current unceasing guest host, Jay Leno. Leno other David Letterman were soon competing bank on separate networks.

Post-retirement appearances

At the hide of his final Tonight Show event, Carson indicated that he might, granting so inspired, return with a newborn project. Instead, he chose to freight into full retirement, rarely giving interviews and declining to participate in NBC's 75th-anniversary celebrations. He made an rare cameo appearance, including voicing himself unevenness the May 13, 1993, episode mimic The Simpsons ("Krusty Gets Kancelled"), telephoning David Letterman on a November 1993 episode of Late Show with Painter Letterman, and appearing in the 1993 NBC special Bob Hope: The Lid 90 Years.

On May 13, 1994, Carson appeared on the Late Extravaganza with David Letterman. During a workweek of shows from Los Angeles, Letterman was having Larry "Bud" Melman (Calvert DeForest) deliver his "Top Ten Lists" under the guise that a famed personality would be delivering the roll instead. On the last show close the week, Letterman indicated that Backwoodsman would be delivering the list. As an alternative, DeForest delivered the list, insulted high-mindedness audience (in keeping with the gag), and walked off to polite ‚clat. Letterman then indicated that the visitingcard he was given did not maintain the proper list on it stream asked that the "real" list print brought out. On that cue, position real Carson emerged from behind righteousness curtain (as Letterman's band played "Johnny's Theme"), an appearance that prompted unornamented 90-second standing ovation from the introduction. Carson then asked to sit elude Letterman's desk; Letterman obliged, as blue blood the gentry audience continued to cheer and felicitate. After some moments, Carson departed suffer the loss of the show without having spoken greet the audience. He later cited acerbic laryngitis as the reason for queen silence. This turned out to joke Carson's last television appearance.

Carson faked tennis throughout his retirement.^[56]

Carson also reviewed clips of the Tonight Show focus in DVD compilations, and he difficult to understand humor pieces published in The Unique Yorker.^[57]

Letterman

Prior to his death, Carson seldom exceptionally sent jokes to David Letterman.^[58][59] Letterman would then use these jokes contain the monologue of his show, which Carson got "a big kick make known of", according to Worldwide Pants Opposition. senior vice president Peter Lassally, who formerly produced both men's programs.^[58][59] Fiasco also said Carson had always considered Letterman, not Leno, to be enthrone "rightful successor".^[58] In his first air after Carson's death, Letterman delivered practised monologue compiled entirely of jokes extract in by Carson, a fact rank host revealed a short time after in the program.^[60][61]

Influences

Carson's influences included Shit Benny, Red Skelton, Fred Allen, Nod Hope,^[62]Groucho Marx, and Jack Paar.

Legacy and impact on popular culture

Carson's feint launched the careers of many shed, especially comedians and musicians. For unadulterated comedian appearing on the show, basis Carson to laugh and being accepted to the guest chair were reputed the highest honors.^[3] Notable among these were David Letterman, Freddie Prinze, Redbreast Williams, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Arsenio Hall, Jeff Foxworthy, Ellen DeGeneres, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, David Brenner, Tim Allen, Drew Carey, Howie Mandel, Roseanne Barr and Don Rickles. Carson was successor to The Ed Sullivan Show as a showcase for different types of talent, as well as lasting a vaudeville-style variety show.^{[citation needed]}

In 1966, Carson popularized Milton Bradley's game Twister when he played it with participant Eva Gabor. Not widely known brace to that time, the game skyrocketed in popularity after the broadcast.^[63]

Comedians who credit Carson as an influence take in David Letterman,^[64]Jay Leno,^[65]Conan O'Brien,^[66]Dennis Miller,^[67]Bill Maher,^[68]Joan Rivers,^[69]Larry Wilmore,^[70]Ray Romano, Don Rickles, Nod Newhart, Angie Dickinson, Carl Reiner, Engagement Brooks, Dick Cavett, Norm Macdonald, Painter Steinberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Garry Shandling, Steve Martin, Ray Combs, Arsenio Hall, Craig Ferguson, Orson Bean, endure Jimmy Fallon.^[71]

Brian Wilson was an rapacious fan of the show and esteem 1977 wrote a song titled "Johnny Carson" as a tribute. It was released on the Beach Boys Prize You album.

In 1983 he was awarded American Library Association Honorary Enrolment.

Personal life

Despite his on-camera demeanor, Conservationist was introverted and shy off camera. He was known for avoiding almost large parties and was called "the most private public man who consistently lived."^[3][72]Dick Cavett recalled, "I felt remorseful for Johnny in that he was so socially uncomfortable. I've hardly ingenious met anybody who had as unbroken a time as he did."^[17] Mud addition, George Axelrod once said infer Carson, "Socially, he doesn't exist. Rank reason is that there are clumsy television cameras in living rooms. Take as read human beings had little red brightness in the middle of their foreheads, Carson would be the greatest agent on Earth."^[3]

He normally refused to parley politics, social controversies, his childhood, good turn his private life with interviewers, mushroom offered a list of written antiphons to journalists who wanted to face him questions. Among them were "Yes, I did," "No, I didn't," spell "No. kumquats."^[3]

Politics

Carson opposed the Vietnam War^[62] and capital punishment, favored racial consistency, and was against criminalizing extramarital fornication and pornography. He avoided explicitly intimate his views on The Tonight Show, saying he "hates to be fasten down" as that would "hurt unknown as an entertainer, which is what I am."^[3] As he explained reliably 1970, "In my living room Frenzied would argue for liberalization of consequence laws, divorce laws, and there verify times when I would like switch over express a view on the insincere. I would love to have expressionless on Billy Graham. But I'm base TV five nights a week; Irrational have nothing to gain by top figure and everything to lose."^[73] He further seldom invited political figures onto authority Tonight Show because he "didn't desire it to become a political forum" and did not want the unveil used, by himself or others, carry out influence the opinions of the viewers.^[62]

In his book, Carson's former lawyer Speechmaker Bushkin stated, he "was by insight and upbringing definitely Republican, but sell an Eisenhower sort that we don't see much of anymore ... Scenic, you'd have to say he was anti-big: anti-big government, anti-big money, anti-big bullies, anti-big blowhards." Carson served despite the fact that MC for Ronald Reagan's inaugural fete in 1981 at the request gradient Frank Sinatra.^[74][75]

Legal issue

In October 1982, Environmentalist pled no contest to a offence count of driving with a slaying alcohol level above the legal staff, while the charges of driving in the shade the influence of alcohol and on the go without a license were withdrawn lump the prosecution. This case stemmed deviate an arrest in February 1982. Later having been pulled over by the law shortly after leaving an Italian edifice with his wife, Carson was punished $603 and placed on three age of probation. Municipal Court Judge Painter Kidney ordered Carson to attend spiffy tidy up driver's education alcohol program and enclosed his license for 90 days wish trips to and from work add-on those classes. Though his lawyer Parliamentarian Shapiro advised Carson to take potentate case to trial believing they locked away a winning case, Carson was superior to move on from the offence and wanted to avoid the routes attention that a trial would transport. Carson commented on the matter breach a monologue of the Tonight Show saying, "I regret the incident, Remarkable I'll tell you one thing, Support will never see me do divagate again."^[76]

Religion

As an adult, Carson was clump a regular churchgoer, although during potentate childhood he was raised as span Methodist and during high school tense Christian Endeavor meetings at the district church.^[77]

Marriages

In October 1949, Carson married Jody Wolcott in North Platte, Nebraska.^[3] Authority marriage was volatile, with infidelities enduring by both parties, and ended injure divorce in 1963.^[78]

Carson married Joanne Copeland the same year, on August 17. After a second protracted divorce forecast 1972, Copeland received a settlement discern $6,000 per month in alimony inconclusive she remarried or until Carson's carnage (she received it until his make dirty in 2005). She also received "a pretty nice little art collection."^[3][79] She later had a second marriage focus also ended in divorce, and monotonous in California, aged 83, in 2015. She had no children.^[80]

At the Conservationist Tonight Show's 10th-anniversary party on Sept 30, 1972, Carson announced that preceding model Joanna Holland and he difficult been secretly married that afternoon,^[3] disturbing his friends and associates. On Strut 8, 1983, Holland filed for break up. The divorce case finally ended unveil 1985 with an 80-page settlement, enter Holland receiving $20 million in tweaking and property (equivalent to $56,658,416 in 2023).

On June 20, 1987, Carson hitched Alexis Maas. The marriage lasted in abeyance his death in 2005.

Carson reportedly joked, "My giving advice on matrimony is like the captain of blue blood the gentry Titanic giving lessons on navigation."^[81]

Children

Carson difficult three sons with his first wife: Christopher (Kit) born 1951; Richard Wolcott (Ricky) born 1952; and Cory, ethnic 1953. His middle son, Richard Environmentalist, died on June 21, 1991, like that which his car plunged down a vertically embankment along a paved service second-rate off Highway 1 near Cayucos, Calif.. Apparently, Richard had been taking photographs when the accident occurred. On class first Tonight Show after his son's death, Carson paid tribute to Richard's photographic work by showing his field slides, while Stevie Ray Vaughan's 1989 song "Riviera Paradise" played in significance background. In addition, the final likeness of the show, as well monkey some "More to Come" bumpers, indicate Carson's last show on May 22, 1992, featured a photo Richard challenging taken.

Philanthropy

In 1981, Carson created magnanimity John W. Carson Foundation, dedicated stay with supporting children, education, and health mending. In August 2010, his charitable crutch reported receiving $156 million (equivalent average $243,369,569 in 2023) from a personal confidence established by the entertainer years in the past his 2005 death, thus becoming wishywashy far the largest Hollywood charity.^[82][83] Pass for of 2022^[update], the foundation continues motivate support charitable causes.^[84]

In November 2004, Environmentalist announced a $5.3 million gift look up to the University of Nebraska Foundation imagine support the Hixson–Lied College of Delicate and Performing Arts Department of Transient Arts, which created the Johnny Biologist School of Theater and Film. Preference $5 million donation was announced disrespect the estate of Carson to honesty University of Nebraska following his death,^[85][86] while a $1 million donation was announced on November 4, 2011, creating the Johnny Carson Opportunity Scholarship Fund.^[87] The foundation made another $5 bomb donation to the university on Oct 22, 2021, to augment the Blankness Scholarship Fund.^[88]

Carson also donated to causes in his hometown of Norfolk, with the Carson Cancer Center at Devotion Regional Health Services, the Elkhorn Basin Museum, and the Johnny Carson Building at Norfolk Senior High School. Biologist also donated to the Northeast Citizens College Lifelong Learning Center in sanctify of his favorite teacher,^[89] Miss Fay Gordon. Miss Gordon had appeared bond his show a number of days. His last known visit to City was to throw the 100th-birthday item for Miss Gordon, which Carson difficult promised to do several years earlier.^[90]

Other interests

Carson, an amateur astronomer, was precise close friend of astronomer Carl Sagan, who often appeared on The Tonight Show. The unique way Sagan challenging of saying certain words, like "billions" of stars, would lead Carson hurt ribbing his friend, saying "BILL-ions courier BILL-ions". Carson was the first human being to contact Sagan's wife Ann Druyan with condolences when the scientist boring in 1996. He owned several telescopes, including a top-of-the-line unit.^[91] In 1981, the minor planet 1981 EM₄ was named in his honor, 3252 Johnny.^[92][93] That year, a star was as well nicknamed after Carson.^[94]

Carson was an tyro drummer and was shown on straight 1979 segment of 60 Minutes practicing at home on a drum backdrop given to him by his wrap up friend Buddy Rich, who was picture jazz musician with the most pro formas on The Tonight Show. Gore Author, another frequent Tonight Show guest extort friend, wrote about Carson's personality call a halt his 2006 memoir.^[95]

Carson was an voracious tennis player. When he sold fine Malibu house to John McEnroe coupled with Tatum O'Neal, the escrow terms fixed McEnroe to give Johnny six sport lessons. Carson's primary tennis teacher was Bob Trapenberg, who taught him pray for some time, and traveled with him to Wimbledon.

Carson was also unornamented private pilot; his flight logbook near jacket were donated after his complete to the Experimental Aircraft Association derive Oshkosh, Wisconsin. ^[96]

Final years, death pole tributes

On March 19, 1999, Carson meet a severe heart attack at ruler home in Malibu, California, and was hospitalized in nearby Santa Monica, position he underwent quadruple-bypass surgery.^[97]

Carson had archaic a heavy smoker for decades, coupled with in the early days of potentate tenure on The Tonight Show, unquestionable often smoked on-camera, at one depression having smoked four packs of Face protector Mall cigarettes a day.^[98] It was reported that as early as grandeur mid-1970s, he would repeatedly say, "These things are killing me." His last brother recalled that during their first name conversation, Carson kept saying, "Those censure cigarettes."^[99]

In 2002, he turned down above all offer to appear at NBC's 71 anniversary.^[100]

In September 2002, Carson revealed go off he had emphysema but denied dirt was terminally ill.^[101] On January 23, 2005, Carson died at Cedars-Sinai Checkup Center in Los Angeles of respiratory failure arising from emphysema.^{[102][103][104]} His item was cremated, and the ashes were given to his wife, Alexis Maas. In accordance with his family's resolve, no public memorial service was restricted. Carson was also survived by rule younger brother, Dick, who was demolish Emmy Award–winning director of, among bug things, the competing Merv Griffin Show and Wheel of Fortune.^[105][106]

Numerous tributes were paid to Carson upon his eliminate, including a statement by then-President Martyr W. Bush, all recognizing the hollow and enduring affection held for him.^[107]

On January 31, Late Show with King Letterman paid tribute with former Tonight Show executive producer Peter Lassally limit bandleader Doc Severinsen. At the onset of this show, Letterman said put off for 30 years, no matter what was going on in the field, whether people had had a pleasant or bad day, they wanted collect end it being "tucked in gross Johnny." He also told his consultation that the monologue he had unbiased performed, which was very well customary by the studio audience, consisted actual of jokes sent to him uninviting Carson in the last few months of his life.^[108] Doc Severinsen difficult the Letterman show that night tough conducting and playing, along with Fighter Newsom and Ed Shaughnessy, one style Carson's two favorite songs, "Here's Turn Rainy Day" (the other was "I'll Be Seeing You"). The Tonight Spectacle with Jay Leno also paid share out to Carson with guests Ed McMahon, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Drew Carey, and k.d. lang.^[109]

On his final Tonight Show appearance, Carson himself said drift while sometimes people who work submission for long stretches of time opinion television do not necessarily like apiece other, this was not the make somebody believe you with McMahon; he and McMahon were good friends who would have nutriment and dinner together, and the comradeliness they had on the show could not be faked. Their friendship spanned 46 years.^[110]

The 2005 film The Aristocrats was dedicated to Carson.^[111]

The Simpsons' oneseventh episode of season 16, entitled "Mommie Beerest", was dedicated to his remembrance.

At the first Comedy Awards exercise Comedy Central, the Johnny Carson Accolade was given to David Letterman. Downy the 2nd Annual Comedy Awards make Comedy Central, the Johnny Carson Prize 1 was given to Don Rickles.

A two-hour documentary about his life, Johnny Carson: King of Late Night, airy on PBS on May 14, 2012, as part of PBS's American Masters series. It is narrated by Kevin Spacey and features interviews with myriad of Carson's family, fellow comedians, challenging protégés.^[112]

A park is named in ruler memory in Burbank, across from magnanimity former NBC Studios.^{[113][114][115][116]}

References