LOS ANGELES (AP) - Johnny Carson, the quick-witted "Tonight Show" host who became a national institution putting his viewers to bed for 30 years with a smooth nightcap of celebrity banter and heartland charm, died Sunday. He was 79.Last week The New York Post reported that Carson, on occasion, sent jokes to David Letterman who he regarded as the rightful heir to his chair at the Tonight Show.Carson died early Sunday morning, according to his nephew, Jeff Sotzing. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable," Sotzing told The Associated Press.
He did not provide further details, but NBC said Carson died of emphysema at his Malibu home.
The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.
A wordsmithing comic and amateur magician from Nebraska who didn't act, sing, or dance; Johnny Carson will be remembered as one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th Century.
He was a legend, and he'll be missed...
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Comments (16)
Rest in peace Johnny. This... (Below threshold)1. Posted by keith | January 23, 2005 2:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Rest in peace Johnny. This man was the model of humility, one who let his body of work speak for itself. A lesson for the likes of Bill Clinton, Dan Rather...ect.
1. Posted by keith | January 23, 2005 2:14 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 23, 2005 14:14
2. Posted by Don | January 23, 2005 2:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The latenight talk show host by which all others are measured.
I have missed him since he stopped hosting the Tonight Show...and now I miss him even more.
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrest in Peace Johnny.
2. Posted by Don | January 23, 2005 2:18 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 14:18
3. Posted by Jack | January 23, 2005 2:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
That's actually the saddest thing I've heard all day.
3. Posted by Jack | January 23, 2005 2:21 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 14:21
4. Posted by pam | January 23, 2005 2:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Johnny Carson has a new gig.
He's headlining in Heaven. Think of all of the great guests who have gone on before him who will be first in line to be on his heavenly show!!!
4. Posted by pam | January 23, 2005 2:27 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 14:27
5. Posted by david | January 23, 2005 2:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
He can introduce the Rat Pack on his heavenly talk/variety show.
RIP, Johnny...thanks for the laughter.
5. Posted by david | January 23, 2005 2:35 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 14:35
6. Posted by Adam Lawson | January 23, 2005 2:51 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And another legend gone... yes, this is the saddest thing today. RIP, Mr. Carson.
6. Posted by Adam Lawson | January 23, 2005 2:51 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 14:51
7. Posted by Kathleen | January 23, 2005 2:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
What Jack said. I loved Johnny, and I've never been able to develop the attachment to Jay Leno that I had to Johnny. RIP, indeed. What a sad day.
7. Posted by Kathleen | January 23, 2005 2:52 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 14:52
8. Posted by Drew - Dallas, TX | January 23, 2005 3:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Johnny Carson - the best late night personality of all time. We'll miss you.
8. Posted by Drew - Dallas, TX | January 23, 2005 3:00 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 15:00
9. Posted by mr lawson | January 23, 2005 3:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How dead is he?
/ripped from fark
/R.I.P. you were the greatest
9. Posted by mr lawson | January 23, 2005 3:03 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 15:03
10. Posted by Laurence Simon | January 23, 2005 3:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Your co-blogger Jay T. just scored with him.
10. Posted by Laurence Simon | January 23, 2005 3:40 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 15:40
11. Posted by Jim Hines | January 23, 2005 3:47 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My dad died of emphysema. I took care of him the last few months. It's a horrible, ugly, slow drowning death. At the end they are ready to be relieved from the suffering.
Carson made a huge impact on my life. I would stay up late watching him as a kid. I saw the show live twice. Since he went off the air I could count on my hands how many times I have watched, never mind made it through an entire episode of either Leno or Letterman.
Old Hollywood is officially dead. Someone save us from the new one.
11. Posted by Jim Hines | January 23, 2005 3:47 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 15:47
12. Posted by jmflynny | January 23, 2005 7:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Pure class...a commodity in very short supply these days.
12. Posted by jmflynny | January 23, 2005 7:26 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 19:26
13. Posted by Rob Hackney | January 23, 2005 7:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
RIP Mr Carson. You were pretty funny when I watched you. Of course, he had the luxury of dying under better circumstances than many, like our boys over in Iraq. Let
s remember them too.
13. Posted by Rob Hackney | January 23, 2005 7:40 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 19:40
14. Posted by Kevin | January 23, 2005 10:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My thoughts are simple. I hope and pray that this Earth's Lord and Saviour was his Lord and Saviour. Rest in Peace Johnny and may your family find comfort in God.
14. Posted by Kevin | January 23, 2005 10:41 PM |
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Posted on January 23, 2005 22:41
15. Posted by HeyMike | January 24, 2005 8:03 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It was tough to say goodbye in '92 - its just has tough now--RIP Johnny
15. Posted by HeyMike | January 24, 2005 8:03 AM |
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Posted on January 24, 2005 08:03
16. Posted by firstbrokenangel | January 24, 2005 4:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I loved this guy; he was a classic. Still miss hm.
Cindy
16. Posted by firstbrokenangel | January 24, 2005 4:11 PM |
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Posted on January 24, 2005 16:11