How much was Johnny Carson worth?
| Net Worth: | $325 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional TV Host |
| Date of Birth: | October 23, 1925 |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Height: | 1.79 m |
About Johnny Carson
John William Carson, an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer with a reputed net worth of $325 million, was born on October 23, 1925. Due to his 30 years as host of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Johnny Carson will always be regarded as the king of late night television. Nearly all prominent talk show hosts from the last 20 years, including as David Letterman, current Tonight Show host Jay Leno, and upcoming host Conan O’Brien, cite Carson as both an inspiration and an influence.
A short time after his time in the U.S. Navy, he started his entertainment career. Carson was employed by Omaha’s WOW radio and television station, where he eventually became the host of the morning show The Squirrel’s Nest. He began honing his comedic skills here with a variety of routines and gags. As a result of his success there, he was hired to host Carson’s Cellar on the CBS station in Los Angeles. Red Skelton, a comedian, was a fan and later hired Carson to write for his show.
Before joining Tonight, Carson appeared on or hosted The Johnny Carson Show as well as the game series Earn Your Vacation, To Tell the Truth, and Who Do You Trust? During the Trust, Carson and Ed McMahon built up a friendship that would endure the rest of Carson’s professional life.
In October 1962, Carson succeeded Jack Paar as host of The Tonight Show. It started in New York at first before moving to Burbank, California, in 1972. Carson began hosting the program four days a week after the change, leaving Mondays open for a guest host. Additionally, it ran for 90 minutes from its beginning until 1980, when Carson asked that it be cut down to an hour.
Joan Rivers, a comedian, served as the show’s regular guest host for a while. But she quit appearing on Tonight after agreeing to anchor a chat show on Fox. After a few more temporary hosts, Jay Leno took over as the regular guest host in 1987.
On May 22, 1992, Carson stepped down from The Tonight Show. The show earned favorable reviews and ratings. Bette Midler was one of the last guests, and she sang Carson a tender song that brought tears to his eyes.
He retired quietly, however he ultimately made another appearance on late-night television. This time, it happened in 1994 on the Los Angeles episode of The Late Show with David Letterman. He “delivered” the Top Ten list to Letterman by walking outside and doing so. After earning a standing ovation, he then sat behind Letterman’s desk and soon after exited without saying anything (he had laryngitis).
This act is frequently interpreted as Carson “crowning” Letterman as his presumptive successor. And it was subsequently discovered that Carson had been regularly providing Letterman with gags for his monologue throughout the years.
Hallmarks, trademarks, and additional marks
- The famous first line from Ed McMahon is, “Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”
- a number of comedians, including Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Wright, and others, used it as a springboard for their careers.
- The late-night icon is honored in the song “Johnny Carson” by Brian Wilson, but Carson wasn’t a fan.
- Singer Wayne Newton and actor Johnny Carson got into a legendary argument, which ultimately resulted in Newton making the following declaration on Larry King Live in 2007: “I’m going to say something, Mr. King, that I’ve never stated on television. Johnny Carson was a cruel person in general. Additionally, there are those he has harmed who will remain anonymous. And for some reason, he made the decision to focus that kind of unfavorable attention on me at some time. And I resisted taking it.”
- Art Fern, the “Tea Time Movie” announcer, Carnac the Magnificent, Floyd R. Turbo American, and El Mouldo are just a few of the comedic figures that became well-known thanks to Carson.
Upon passing away in 2005, Johnny Carson had a $325 million net worth.
Vital Statistics
Full Name: John William Carson
Born: October 23, 1925
Died: January 23, 2005
Birthplace: Corning, Iowa
Primarily Raised in: Norfolk, Nebraska
College: University of Nebraska
Spouse(s): Joan Wolcott, October 1949 to 1963; Joanne Copeland, August 1963 to 1972; Joanna Holland, 1972 to 1983; Alexis Maas, 1987 until his death.
Awards: Six Emmy Awards, the Peabody Award (1975), Presidential
Medal of Freedom (1992), Kennedy Center Honors (1993), member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame (1987)
