Late night television icon Johnny Carson has died at the age of 79. His family was at his bed side when he passed away.
“Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning,” his nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told The Associated Press. “He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service.”
He died after losing a battle with the respiratory disease emphysema.
From wire reports:
His wealth, the adoration of his guests – particularly the many young comics whose careers he launched – the wry tales of multiple divorces: Carson’s air of modesty made it all serve to enhance his bedtime intimacy with viewers.
“Heeeeere’s Johnny …” was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as “Carnac the Magnificent.”
But audiences never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992.
His personal life could not match the perfection of his career. Carson was married four times, divorced three. In 1991, one of his three sons, 39-year-old Ricky, was killed in a car accident.
Within minutes of the announcement of Johnny Carson’s death the blogs were reacting …
Johnny Carson, King of Late Night, Dies”
*raises wine glass* Here’s to you, Johnny…”
Johnny Carson passed away! 🙁 I remember watching him on the Tonight Show all the time when I was growing up. He always reminded me of my grandfather. ”
“It’s all over the news channels right now. Johnny Carson has died today in his sleep. It’s weird..I’ve heard the name a lot of times and know he has hosted the Tonight Show for years, but I know almost nothing about the man.
I think today and the next coming days will prove how important this man was to many Americans. I can only imagine how sad the news must be when a tv icon you’ve grown up with has died.
Whenever someone famous or important dies in the Netherlands (and this was certainly the case in 2004), I feel like I’m in a desert. No one here knows these people and I’m the only one who cares, naturally. Sometimes that’s kind of frustrating. Although Theo van Gogh’s murder was in the news quite frequently here for a couple of days. But to Americans it’s just a small news item about someone they’ve never heard of of course.”
“Unlike almost all modern celebrities, he led an embarrassment-free life, and was loved by everyone on all sides of the social spectrum. How rare is that?”
“Johnny Carson dominated late-night television from 1962-1992. He died this morning, reportedly of emphysema. He was born in 1925.
Visit johnnycarson.com for information about his web site and The Tonight Show. Here’s his bio. More info at Wikipedia.”
Murdok | Breaking eBusiness News
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