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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Johnny Carson
JOHNNY CARSON
Awarded by
President George Bush
December 11, 1992
One of America's greatest television personalities, Johnny Carson left the Nebraska plains to preside over late night TV for almost 30 years. With a quick wit and a sure golf swing, Johnny's good-natured humor kept the pulse of the Nation, and assured us that even in the most difficult times, it was still okay to laugh. The United States honors Johnny Carson, who personifies the heart and humor of America.
Biography
Birthdate: October 23, 1925
Birthplace: Corning, Iowa
Occupations: Actor, Comedian, TV/radio host
Claim to Fame: Host of The Tonight Show (1961-1992)
Significant Other(s):
Wife: Joan Carson Buckley (nee Wolcott), aka Jody Carson; married 1949; divorced 1963 (Carson obtained a Mexican divorce); born in 1926; married art director Don Buckley in 1970-73; lost 1990 suit to increase her 1970 alimony award; met at the University of Nebraska where she was an art major; worked as Carson's assistant in the magic act that he performed in American Legion halls across the country
Wife: Joanne Carson (nee Copeland); married August 1963; divorced 1972; born c. 1932; earned Ph.D in nutrition after divorce; reportedly received a lump sum of $160,000, an art collection and $75,000 per week as divorce settlement
Wife: Joanna Carson (nee Holland); born in 1941; married 1972; divorced 1983; received $20 million in cash and property in divorce settlement from Carson
Wife: Alexis Carson (nee Mass), aka Alex Carson, former secretary; married June 20, 1987; born in 1950; reportedly met Carson while strolling by his Malibu beach house
Family:
Grandfather: Christopher Carson
Father: Homer Carson, aka Kit Carson, Power company manager; deceased
Mother: Ruth Carson (nee Hook), Housewife; died 1985
Sibling: Has one older sibling
Brother: Dick Carson, Director; director of Wheel of Fortune ; younger than Carson
Son: Christopher Carson, Golf pro; born in 1950; mother Jody Wolcott
Son: Richard Wolcott Carson, aka Rick Carson; born June 1952; died in car accident June 21, 1991; mother Jody Wolcott
Son: Cory Carson, Guitarist; born in 1953; mother Jody Wolcott
Awards:
American Guild of Variety Artists Entertainer of the Year Award.
1975/76: Emmy for Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement for The Tonight Show .
1976/77: Emmy for Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement for The Tonight Show .
1977/78: Emmy for Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement for The Tonight Show .
Emmy for Outstanding Program Achievement-Special Class for The Tonight Show . Shared award.
1979/80: Emmy for Third Annual Atas Governor's Award.
1992: American Comedy Lifetime Achievement Award.
1992 : Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1993: Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award.
Johnny Carson -The Tonight Show -May 1987
Johnny Carson is best known as America's late night king of comedy. As thirty year host of NBC television's Tonight Show , his topical monologues, irreverent characters, comical double takes and frivolous sketches entertained more people than any other performer in history. His late night arena provided plugs for untold books, films and products, created a springboard to stardom for an infinite number of new performers and, more than occasionally, offered a secure refuge for aging legends.
Carson began performing professionally at the age of fourteen as a magician-comic, "The Great Carsoni," for the local Rotary Club in his hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska. After a two year stint as a Navy Ensign during World War II, and four years as a radio-drama major at the University of Nebraska, he plunged headfirst into the world of broadcasting as a radio announcer-disc jockey. When WOW in Omaha began television operations in 1949, Carson was there to host his first video program, The Squirrel's Nest , a daily early afternoon show. The young performer told jokes, conducted humorous interviews and staged various skits with wacky comic characters and premises. Squirrel's Nest gave Carson the opportunity to develop a good portion of his public persona and adjust his performance style to the intimate visual medium.
Relocating to Hollywood in the early 1950s, Carson's television career took a step forward with his weekly low budget series, Carson's Cellar , on CBS' KNXT. Performing monologues and satirical sketches reminiscent of his later work, Carson attracted the attention of such stars as Fred Allen, Groucho Marx and Red Skelton--all of whom dropped by to appear on the local show at no charge. Based on his work with Carson's Cellar , a more sophisticated Johnny Carson Show was created for regional broadcasts in the western United States. This proved unsuccessful and Carson subsequently began work for the Red Skelton Show as a writer.
Casting about for new on-air opportunities, Carson's first prime time network television exposure happened in May 1954, as host of the short-lived quiz show, Earn Your Vacation . Fortunately, working for Skelton provided more of a career boost. When Skelton was injured during a show rehearsal, the young Carson was thrust instantly into the limelight as substitute host. On the strength of this appearance, CBS created a new prime-time Johnny Carson Show , a traditional potpourri of comedy, music, dance, skits and monologues. Working through seven writers and eight directors in thirty-nine weeks, the troubled show left the air due to poor ratings.
As quizmaster of the ABC-TV daytime show, Who Do You Trust? , in 1957, Carson's career again took an upward turn. This highly rated daytime entry allowed Carson to display his engaging personality and quick wit through five years of continual give and take with a wide variety of guests. During this time, he worked also at extending his reputation and base of experience by appearing on a number of television musical variety shows and game shows, on Broadway and as a guest actor in live television plays. Most importantly, Carson's successes brought him offers to substitute for Jack Paar as guest host on The Tonight Show and ultimately to replace Paar when the temperamental emcee retired.
On 1 October 1962, Carson broadcast his first Tonight Show as permanent host. Less excitable and emotional than his predecessor, Carson's relaxed pace, more casual interviewing style, impeccable timing and ability to play straight for other guests proved instantly popular with his viewing audience. Comparing differences between Paar and Carson, Time magazine reported on 28 May 1965 that "Paar's emotionalism had made the show the biggest sleep stopper since caffeine. By contrast, Carson came on like pure Sanka. But soon his low-key, affable humor began to prove addictive. Paar generated new interest, but Carson is watched."
Within four months of assuming Tonight Show reins, Carson surpassed Paar's old record nighttime ratings by nearly a half million viewers adding approximately twenty stations to the NBC network--this despite heavy CBS competition from former Tonight Show host Steve Allen. Incredibly, over a fifteen year period, with continual competitive threats from CBS and ABC, theTonight Show doubled its audience. Observed Kenneth Tynan in hisNew Yorker portrait of Carson on 20 February 1978, this was "a feat that, in its blend of staying power and mounting popularity, is without precedent in the history of television."
Despite occasional contract squabbles, criticism over his numerous days off, marital conflicts and assorted family problems, Carson continued to outdistance his competition for an additional fifteen years. Without losing his timing, his unpredictability or his perfectionist work ethic, for thirty years he kept his finger on the pulse of mainstream America's moods, attitudes and concerns. Combining his verbal dexterity with a well stocked supply of facial expressions and gestures, he became the acknowledged master at lampooning the pretentious, salvaging the boring or sharpening a nervous guest's performance for maximum effect.
Through the years, Carson hosted a number of network television specials, including the Academy Awards and Emmy Awards, and performed stand-up comedy at the top hotels in Las Vegas. But, it was The Tonight Show that guaranteed his place in American history. For thirty years, he entered our homes to provide commentary on the day's news, to help determine our next day's conversational agenda and, of course, to entertain. Over time, his mild mannered midwestern brand of humor became more politically biting and sexually frank but never demeaning or offensive. His well-known characters, Carnac, Aunt Blabby, Art Fern, et al., so familiar to multiple generations of American families, remained brash, silly and, somehow, consistently funny.
On 22 May 1992, at the age of sixty-six, Johnny Carson left the Tonight Show --a remarkable thirty year run in more than a half century of comedy performance that raised him to the level of national court jester and national treasure.
-Joel Sternberg
Johnny Carson (center with Doc Severinsen and Ed McMahon)
On May 22, 1992, Johnny Carson appeared on “The Tonight Show” for the last time after hosting the show for 30 years. Carson’s unassuming manner and ironic wit endeared him to a generation of fans, and his unprecedented run transformed the late-night talk show format. “The Tonight Show” helped launch the careers of many stand-up comedians and introduced young and emerging performers to a nation of Carson devotees.
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Medal History
