Paying Tribute To Johnny Carson On TV Talk Show Host Day

This is considered TV Talk Show Host Day – recognizing the work and talents of TV talk show hosts -- and it’s always celebrated on October 23rd, the birthday of the guy who's considered the King of late night TV, Johnny Carson.

He hosted 'The Tonight Show' from 1962 to 1992, a period of 29 years, 7 months, 21 days. The 4,531 episodes was a record for one person hosting the same TV show, a record that was broken in 2002 by Bob Barker of the 'Price Is Right'.

Johnny Carson studied journalism in college, then began working in radio and TV. He began writing for TV shows in the 1950s, and then got the call to host his own show in 1951. He began occasionally guest hosting for Jack Paar on 'The Tonight Show' and became the show's permanent host when Paar resigned.

Some Johnny Carson trivia – Johnny was offered and turned down a part in the movie 'Blazing Saddles' as the Waco Kid.

Johnny wrote two books – 'Happiness Is a Dry Martini' and 'UnHappiness is a Blind Date'.

He co-wrote the 'Tonight Show' theme song with singer Paul Anka.

Johnny was a ventriloquist, a talented drummer and a magician.

Johnny’s best friend was magician James Randi, who often appeared on 'The Tonight Show' to give examples of fraud involving the supernatural to inform the public.

He was also good friends with scientist Carl Sagan and was the first one to call Sagan’s widow when he died.

• Johnny was a major investor in the DeLorean Motor Company.
• He was featured on the cover of 'Time Magazine' in 1967.
• He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987.
• He was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.

Just five days before he died, it was revealed he’d been secretly writing jokes for David Letterman.

Among his best jokes...Mail your packages early so the Post Office can lose them in time for Christmas.

Married men live longer than single men. But married men are lot more willing to die.

Johnny Carson passed away in 2005. He was born on this date, October 23, 1925.