biography
| name: |
Carson, Johnny
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popular name of John William Carson
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1925– )
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| biography:
| Television talk show host, born in Corning, Iowa, USA. Raised in Nebraska, he sent away for a magic kit at age 12, and ‘The Great Carsoni’ gave his first performance two years later. After serving in the US Navy (1943–6), he graduated from the University of Nebraska (1949) and went to California (1950), where he worked for various radio and television shows. Moving to New York City (1956), he hosted the television quiz show Who Do You Trust? (1958–63), making it ABC's top daytime programme. He first appeared on the Tonight Show in 1958, and as permanent host in 1962–92 he turned it into one of National Broadcasting Company's most successful. His talk-show personality combined midwestern innocence with cosmopolitan wit. He portrayed a series of outrageous American types in occasional skits, but the programme's appeal was its familiar formula: Ed McMahon introduced him by announcing ‘Heeere's Johnny!’, then Carson did a monologue followed by guest interviews - usually showbiz celebrities - punctuated by Doc Severinsen's music. In private life, Carson was almost the opposite of his spontaneous, charming onstage personality. Married four times, he was reputed to be rather distant in his dealings with most people. He formed a production group in 1980 and became immensely wealthy from his own and other shows. On his retirement (1992), he was regarded as almost a national institution. |
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