Johnny Carson Dies

The AP is reporting that Johnny Carson, the gold standard for modern day talk show hosts, has died at 79. Many of us grew up watching Carson smoothly lob jokes at celebrities, dress up for skits, and give many rising stars a chance...or we'd pretend we understood why Charo was there. Again. But who couldn't love Carnac the Magnificient? He had kept a low profile after retiring his Tonight Show gig in 1992, but it was recently reported that Carson would contribute jokes to David Letterman's Late Show monologues. Oh, Johnny, we have to go and miss you again.

Updated: The NY Times has its obituary up; expect quotes and news of tribute shows tomorrow. Here's the The Official Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson site. And here's the Wikipedia entry on Carson. And did you know that he hosted the Tonight Show in NYC for 7 years, before the move to Burbank? [Related: Conan O'Brien will take over Tonight Show duties in 2009.]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on January 23, 2005 1:59 PM

Comments [rss]

tommy

I am here to say hello and you have a great site! nokia6630

Don Baker

Even if 79 was a good age to achieve, like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, George Burns and many others, I would have watched Johnny if he hosted Tonight from a hospital bed. We have lost a great one.

Don Baker...Phoenix, AZ

marlboro man

The guy was 79 when he died. Even if it was from smoking, it's still in the "died from old age" category. It would be different if he was younger.

Beefy Reynolds

Hey, remember when Carson used to beat his wife in public?!? Really gonna miss that guy!

meesaloveu

and did you know carson hosted the tonight show from new york city for seven years?!??!?

grooooaaann. you children!

and i hope you chain smoking kiddos noted the cause of death too!

marc

the shame is, Leno is going to give a tribute to him, and it seemed pretty public Carson didn't like Leno very much.

S.D.

It's a sad day for Entertainment. Who knew he was even ill? NBC is reporting that he died of emphysema .

I used to crack up everytime I saw him do Carnac. I think the current crop of late night isn't bad, but does not measure up to Johnny Carson.