Johnny Carson's Real Name: John William Carson

Quick answer: The television host is known professionally as Johnny Carson. Britannica and CNN independently give the fuller form John William Carson and date his birth to October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa. Britannica dates his death to January 23, 2005, in Malibu, California. CNN, in an article posted Tuesday, January 25, 2005, says he died that Sunday of emphysema, at age 79, a Sunday that falls on the same January 23 date (Britannica; CNN).

Real name and early life

Independent publishers support the documented full name John William Carson. Britannica says he grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska, served in the Navy during World War II, and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1949 while also holding his first professional radio job. CNN independently records a B.A. from the University of Nebraska in 1949 and service as a U.S. Navy ensign from 1943 to 1946, and names his parents as Homer "Kit" Lloyd Carson, a power company manager, and Ruth Hook Carson.

Career highlights

Britannica says that in 1957, after several earlier starts, he achieved a breakthrough as host of the television quiz show Who Do You Trust?, then ABC's top-rated daytime program, and that he later accepted an offer to replace Jack Paar as host of NBC's Tonight Show, beginning on October 1, 1962. It says that by the late 1980s The Tonight Show was accounting for nearly one fifth of the network's annual profits, and that when he left the show permanently in May 1992 he was replaced by Jay Leno. CNN independently says he hosted The Tonight Show for nearly 30 years and lists 4,531 episodes. Britannica also describes him, at retirement, as the most highly paid personality in the history of the medium.

Death

Britannica dates his death to January 23, 2005, in Malibu, Calif. CNN independently says he died Sunday of emphysema and quotes his nephew, Jeffrey Sotzing, saying he had passed away that morning; the same CNN report says he was 79 and had announced in 2002 that he was suffering from the disease. CNN's January 25, 2005, posting refers to that Sunday, which is the January 23 date given by Britannica. CNN does not name a place of death in the passages used here.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Johnny Carson or John William Carson are looking for the same American television host. Independent sources support the fuller form used in the title.