John William Carson was an American television personality, comedian, writer, and producer who was born on October 23, 1925, and died on January 23, 2005.

He is best known as the host of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show (1962–1992). Carson got six Primetime Emmy Awards, the Television Academy’s Governor’s Award in 1980, and a Peabody Award in 1985. In 1987, he was elected into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. Carson earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 1993.

Carson entered the United States Navy on June 8, 1943, and attended Columbia University and Millsaps College for V-12 Navy College Training Program officer training. Carson was commissioned as an ensign late in the war and sent to the USS Pennsylvania in the Pacific.

Carson had a 10-0 amateur boxing record while in the Navy, with the majority of his fights taking place on board Pennsylvania. When the war ended, he was on his way to the conflict zone aboard a troop ship.

Carson worked as a communications officer responsible for decrypting encrypted messages. He stated that doing a magic act for United States Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal was the pinnacle of his military career.

Carson was asked if he expected to stay in the Navy after the war during a conversation with Forrestal. Carson responded by saying no and that he wanted to be a magician. Carson reacted with a card trick when Forrestal requested him to perform. Carson discovered that he could amuse and entertain someone as grumpy and intelligent as Forrestal.

Johnny Carson’s parents: Meet Ruth Elizabeth Carson, Homer Lloyd Carson

John William Carson was born on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa, to Ruth Elizabeth (Hook) Carson (1901-1985) and Homer Lloyd “Kit” Carson (1899-1983), a power company manager.

ncG1vNJzZmifmJa7orLUqGWcp51kt7C0zaewZpuRp8CwuoypmKudnqnAbrnEnqtmqqWptW6xy6KxmpqVqbVur8CrqqimXZ28rrHRZqOlp6mZeqSt0aymp2c%3D