Johnny Carson Fact File Biography: Lifespan: *** Full Name: John William Carson *** Date of Birth (Birthday): He was born on October 23, 1925 *** Place of Birth: Johnny Carson was born in Iowa, United States *** Family background: His father was Homer Lloyd Carson *** Early life and childhood: Johnny Carson was raised in Iowa and Nebraska *** Education: Johnny Carson studied for his degree at University of Nebraska *** Johnny Carson died on January 23, 2005 ***

ohnny Carson Fact 1: Johnny Carson was born on October 23, 1925 in Corning, Iowa, United States.

Johnny Carson Fact 2: He was a famous American television host most famous for presenting the popular television show ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ for thirty years.

Johnny Carson Fact 3: His parents were called Homer Lloyd Carson, known as Kit, and Ruth Carson. He was raised in Iowa until the age of eight when he moved with his family to Norfolk, Nebraska.

Johnny Carson Fact 4: It quickly became evident that he had a natural talent for entertaining when he began humoring his family and friends at a young age. His love for magic began after reading a book on magic at the age of twelve. He soon began practicing magic tricks, in particular card tricks, on his family members.

Johnny Carson Fact 5: Johnny Carson’s first magic show performance was at the local Kiwanis Club when he was a young teenager. He was asked to appear again and eventually became known as ‘The Great Carsoni’. During the early days, he was paid $3 per show.

Johnny Carson Fact 6: He was asked to perform at various local fairs and picnics during his school days. It is said that he hitchhiked to Hollywood following his graduation from High School and after impersonating a midshipman, he was arrested and fined $50.

Johnny Carson Fact 7: Despite his ability to entertain an entire audience, Johnny Carson was in fact very shy off camera and felt extremely awkward in social situations.

Johnny Carson Fact 8: In 1943, Johnny Carson joined the Navy and was assigned as a communications officer on board the US Navy ship USS Pennsylvania. As one of the ship’s communications officers, he was responsible for decoding encrypted messages.

Johnny Carson Fact 9: The highlight of his navel career came after James V. Forrestal, the United States Secretary of the Navy, a man renowned for his grumpy moods, discovered that Johnny Carson wanted to become a magician and asked him to perform a trick. Johnny Carson performed a magic trick and after realizing that he’d managed to amuse James V. Forrestal, he felt that he could entertain anyone!.

Johnny Carson Fact 10: Following his stint in the US Navy, he joined the University of Nebraska. He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in radio and speech with a minor in physics.

Johnny Carson Fact 11: Johnny Carson’s television career began in 1950 when he joined WOW radio and television as a broadcaster. He was soon hosting ‘The Squirrel’s Nest’ which was a television show broadcasted in the morning.

Johnny Carson Fact 12: During the 1950s/early 1060s, before he began hosting The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson made many appearances and presented a number of television shows including Carson’s Cellar, Earn Your Vacation, Who Do You Trust?, and The Polly Bergen Show.

Johnny Carson Fact 13: Johnny Carson was most famous for hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson which he presented for thirty years from 1962-1992. The popular late night talk show was recorded at Thirty Rockefeller Plaza, New York City before it moved to Burbank, California.

Johnny Carson Fact 14: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was so popular that Johnny Carson was paid approximately $4 million a year, making him the highest paid television personality of his time.

Johnny Carson Fact 15: He refused various movies role that were offered to him during his lifetime including Blazing Saddles, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The King of Comedy.

Johnny Carson Fact 16: He was awarded a Peabody Award to commemorate his 25th anniversary of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The Peabody Award recognizes outstanding public service by radio and television networks of the United States.

Johnny Carson Fact 17: He retired from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on May 22, 1992. The final guests on the talk show were Bette Midler and Robin Williams. Fans of the show were very upset to lose the presenter of thirty years and later that same year, The Tonight Show was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Late-night Series.

Johnny Carson Fact 18: He married four times during his lifetime. The names of his wives in order of marriage were Joan Wolcott, Joanne Copeland, Joanna Holland, and Alexis Maas whom he was married to from 1987 until his death in 2005. He had three children from his first marriage; their names were Christopher, Cory and Richard (Ricky). He didn’t have children with his other wives.

Johnny Carson Fact 19: He received many awards during his television career including 6 Emmy Awards, the Governor’s Award, and a Peabody Award. In 1987, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. In 1992, he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 1993, he was presented with a Kennedy Center Honor. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Johnny Carson Fact 20: He died on January 23, 2005 at the age of 79 in Los Angeles, California, United States following respiratory failure. He was cremated without a memorial service, and his ashes were given to his wife.

Johnny Carson Influence & Legacy: Johnny Carson is considered one of the best television personalities in the history of the United States. He hosted The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for thirty years and was the highest paid television personality in the United States at the time.