The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Comedy history · 7 facts, each from at least two of 11 independent sources · last reviewed 2026-10-17
Johnny Carson hosted his own edition of The Tonight Show, known as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, for thirty years, spanning 1962 to 1992.1,2,3,4 Carson came to be called the King of Late Night, and the program helped start the careers of numerous comedians and other entertainers.5,6,7
Beginnings in New York
Carson's tenure as host began on October 1, 1962.1,2,3,4,8 The program was based in New York during roughly its first ten years with Carson.1,2,3,4,8,9
Relocation to California
In 1972, the show left New York and set up in Burbank, in the Los Angeles area.8,9 Carson went on hosting from there for the remaining two decades of his tenure.1,2,3,4,8,9
Retirement and Later Years
Carson gave up the host's chair in 1992, which brought his 30-year stint to a close.1,2,3,4,10,11 He died in 2005.1,2
Sources
- How Johnny Carson Nearly Quit ‘Tonight’ and Scored TV’s Richest Deal Ever (Book Excerpt) (hollywoodreporter.com)
- BBC NEWS | Entertainment | 'Here's Johnny' is top TV quote (bbc.co.uk)
- 'Tea Time Movies' skit actress Teresa Ganzel is next Carson Lecturer | Announce | University of Nebraska-Lincoln (unl.edu)
- Doc Severinsen | Bio (docseverinsen.com)
- FANS PUT JOHNNY ON THE SPOT – Chicago Tribune (chicagotribune.com)
- The return of Johnny Carson – on TCM - Columns - The Buffalo News (buffalonews.com) · archived copy
- Johnny Carson on Antenna TV (antennatv.tv)
- Fifteen Years of the Salto Mortale | The New Yorker (newyorker.com)
- Johnny Carson Back in Late-Night: Antenna Adds 'Tonight Show' Episodes (variety.com)
- CNN.com - Transcripts (cnn.com)
- Carson Feeds Jokes To Letterman - CBS News (cbsnews.com)
Updated November 12, 2026.