American television host Johnny Carson, best known as the iconic host of The Tonight Show, retired from show business on this day in 1992. His last show was a major media event that spanned several nights. It was an emotional time for Carson, his colleagues and the audience, specifically his farewell monologue on his final show. NBC gave the host spot for The Tonight Show to the program’s then-current permanent guest host Jay Leno.
Carson was born on October 23, 1925 in Corning, Iowa. He learned to perform magic tricks at 14 years of age. He got his start in radio working as a news anchorman and sports broadcaster. Carson later took a job at a Los Angeles-based TV station in 1954 and was chosen by legendary comic Red Skelton to join his show as a writer. Carson hosted several TV shows before his run on The Tonight Show, including Who Do You Trust? where he met long-time sidekick Ed McMahon.
Carson became the host of The Tonight Show in October 1962 after Jack Paar quit with McMahon acting as his announcer and sidekick. For millions, watching Carson at the end of the evening became a ritual. After his last show, he went into full retirement, rarely giving interviews and only making the occasional cameo appearance. Carson died on January 23, 2005 in L.A. of respiratory arrest from emphysema.
