The Corning-born “King of Late Night” who hosted The Tonight Show for thirty years.
John William Carson was born on October 23, 1925, in Corning, in southwest Iowa, before his family moved to Nebraska. A magician and comedian from boyhood, he worked his way through radio and early television.
In 1962 he took over The Tonight Show, which he hosted for nearly thirty years until 1992 — becoming the most influential figure in American late-night television and the launching pad for countless comedians.
Carson set the template every late-night host still follows, and his monologue became a nightly national ritual. His Iowa hometown of Corning marks its connection to one of television's biggest stars.
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.
The Corning-born “King of Late Night” who hosted The Tonight Show for thirty years.
Johnny Carson was from Corning, Iowa.
1925–2005.
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