On January 23, 2005, at the age of 79, Johnny Carson died in his Malibu home from complications of Emphysema. Since the large majority of Manhattan College students were in diapers and oblivious when he was a television host in prior decades, many of us wondered about the legend behind Carson. When he died, we all probably asked, "Carson who? Daly?" Our parents then whacked us upside the head and said, "No, Johnny Carson! Host of The Tonight Show!" As our parents remembered some great moments from the program, such as his "Heeeeere's Johnny!" introduction and how legendary this man was, we probably were consumed with more pertinent things happening in our lives, like for instance, Carson Daly.
Aside from being a television legend, it is intriguing to note that he led a quite interesting and eventful life with many ups and downs, notably with marriage. While he was born in Iowa, Carson grew up in Nebraska, where he spent much of his childhood mastering the art of magic. Following his three years of serving in the U.S. Navy, from 1943-1946, Carson received a Bachelor's Degree in 1949 from the University of Nebraska. Also, in 1949, he married his college sweetheart, Joan Wolcott, with whom he had three sons.
Upon his graduation from college, Carson worked at various radio stations, where he soon became known for his comedy sketch, Carson's Cellar. In 1953, Bernard Richard "Red" Skelton, a veteran comic at that time, found that Carson was exactly the writer he wanted for his show. In 1954, when Skelton accidentally knocked himself unconscious, just minutes before he was to go on stage, Carson filled in for Skelton during the moments of desperation. While the technical directors of the show became extremely nervous that the show would plummet, Carson gave a stellar debut. The people loved him.
Between the years of 1954 and 1962, Carson hosted "The Johnny Carson Show," and "Who Do You Trust?" In 1963, Carson and Ed McMahon became co-hosts on "The Tonight Show." While his career was taking a flying leap for success, Carson's marriage to Joan fell apart. In 1963, they got a quick divorce, and Carson married Joanne Copeland in the same year.
Carson's career continued its uphill success, and for many American families, it was a nightly ritual to sit around the television with flannel pajamas and slippers, watching the brilliant comic monologues and sketches, and the intruiging live interviews of "The Tonight Show".
The final years of Carson's career were marred by three divorces, many settlements which left Carson with far less money than he made, and a tragic death of his son in an automobile accident. In May of 1992, Carson stepped down as the host of The Tonight Show, and turned his position over to Jay Leno. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George Bush, for making "America laugh and think."
He made few television appearances after retiring, but still continued to keep up to date with current events. His personal life never affected him when he was on the air, for his show was always entertaining. The Tonight Show also stood as the ultimate place for celebrities to make a public appearance. Johnny Carson's wit and legacy have had an incalculable influence on younger late-night television show hosts and will always remain the greatest late-night talk show host ever to tell a joke.
2008 Woodie Awards
