Jack Paar

Birth Name:

Jack Harold Paar

Birth Place:

Canton, Ohio, United States

Profession

Actor, Producer, Writer

Earned a Career Achievement Nod in 1997 from the Television Critics Association
After leaving school at 16-years-old, he would first begin working as a local radio announcer in his hometown before eventually leaving to work for syndicated affiliates in larger cities, such as Detroit and Buffalo
Quote: "I am complicated, sentimental, lovable, honest, loyal, decent, generous, likeable and lonely․ My personality is not split, it's shredded․"
After growing tired of a daily show, NBC would sign him to a weekly primetime comedy hour after he left "The Tonight Show" in March of 1962
Earned his first big break in Hollywood after Jack Benny suggested he take his place on $64 Question in 1947
Signed with Howard Hughes' RKO Pictures in 1948
Signed on to be the new host of "The Tonight Show", succeeding Steve Allen, in 1957
Drafted in 1943, where he would go on to work with the USO in the South Pacific
Boycotted "The Tonight Show" and NBC for almost a month after network executives censored one of his jokes in 1960
Struggled with stuttering as a child, but ultimately overcame the issue after realizing he felt comfortable on stage

1958Primetime Emmy - Best Continuing Performance (Male) in a Series by a Comedian, Singer, Host, Dancer, M.C., Announcer, Narrator, Panelist, or any Person who Essentially Plays Himself:Nominated
1959Primetime Emmy - Best Performance by an Actor (Continuing Character) in a Musical or Variety Series:Nominated

Fast Facts