X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Johnny Carson Biography

Birth Name:John William Carson

Birth Place:Corning, Iowa, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

  • In 1992, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Received the 1992 American Comedy Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy
  • Was the 1977 Hasty Pudding Theatricals Man of the Year
  • Earned a degree in radio and speech from the University of Nebraska
  • Got his start as an entertainer by performing as a magician
  • Got his start as a comic on the local program "The Squirrel's Nest․"
  • Was best known for his tenure at the host of the "Tonight Show․"
  • During World War II, he served as a communications officer in the U․S․ Navy

Awards

  • 1965Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment - Actors and Performers: nominated
  • 1971Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Series - Talk: nominated
  • 1972Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Series - Talk: nominated
  • 1974Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Music-Variety Series: nominated
  • 1976Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement: winner
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement: winner
  • 1978Primetime Emmy-Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement: winner
  • 1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Program Achievement - Special Class: winner
  • 1980Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Program Achievement - Special Class: nominated
  • 1981Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1987American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program (Series): winner