HWOF

John William “Johnny” Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host and comedian, known for thirty years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992). Carson received six Emmy Awards, the Governor Award, and a 1985 Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. Johnny Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1993.

• Birth name: John William Carson
• Born: October 23, 1925 Corning, Iowa
• Died: January 23, 2005 (aged 79) Los Angeles, California
• Nationality: American
• Years active: 1950-1994
• Genres: Satire, sketch comedy, improvisational comedy
• Subject(s): current events, American politics, American culture, pop culture
• Influences: [list membership disputed] Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy, Red Skelton, George Burns, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Charlie Chaplin, Don Rickles, Michael Gough, Bob Newhart
• Influenced: [list membership disputed] Ray Combs, Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, Bill Hicks, Jay Leno, David Letterman, George Lopez, Bill Maher, Conan O’Brien, Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling
• Spouse: Jody Morrill Wolcott (m. 1949-1963; divorced) Joanne Copeland (m. 1963-1972; divorced) Joanna Holland (m. 1972-1985; divorced) Alexis Maas (m. 1987-2005, his death)
• Notable works and roles: Host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Read more about Johnny Carson at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database

Sacha Baron Cohen: The man and the masks
Variety, 2012-05-21 04:00:00
Top News: Johnny Carson also shielded himself beneath a public persona

Television Review: Johnny Carson Profiled on PBS’s ‘American Masters’
NY Times Music, 2012-05-14 04:07:20
Johnny Carson: King of Late Night The talk-show host (left, around 1967) is profiled on “American Masters,” on PBS stations Monday night (check local listings).

Video: Johnny Carson, "King of Late Night," and protecting privacy
CBS Entertainment Ne, 2012-05-12 15:24:19
Johnny Carson was considered the king of late night TV, but he was also a very guarded, private man. Now, 20 years after he retired, a PBS documentary chronicles his life. Rebecca Jarvis and Jeff Glor spoke with the documentary's writer, producer and editor, Peter Jones. This video contains clips ...