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Johnny Carson

Acting • 1925-10-23 • Corning, Iowa, USA

John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known as the host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992). Carson received six Primetime Emmy Awards, the Television Academy's 1980 Governor's Award, and a 1985 Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1993.

Known For

Newhart

Newhart

1982

Space Ghost and Dino Boy

Space Ghost and Dino Boy

1966

The Best of Carson, Volume 1

The Best of Carson, Volume 1

2006

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

1968

Breakdown: 1975

Breakdown: 1975

2025

Journeys through the Darkzone

Journeys through the Darkzone

1984

Fan Club

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From Nerdspin

Filmography

2026
Soccer's American DreamTV
Self (archive footage) • 1 episodes
2025
John Candy: I Like MeFilm
Self - Host, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (archive footage)
★ 7.9
2025
Breakdown: 1975Film
(archive footage)
★ 6.9
2025
Raise the Flags: 50 Years of Buccaneers FootballTV
Self (archive footage) • 1 episodes
★ 7.0
2024
Jim Henson Idea ManFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.8
2024
Butterfly in the SkyFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 8.2
2024
Luther: Never Too MuchFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.7
2024
6 morts dans la nuit : « De sang-froid » – Truman CapoteFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 8.0
2024
Bad HostageFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.0
2023
Pretty Baby: Brooke ShieldsTV
Self (archive footage) • 1 episodes
★ 7.4
2023
The Whole Story with Anderson CooperTV
Self (archive footage) • 1 episodes
★ 7.0
2023
The Many Faces of Jim CarreyFilm
Self (Archive Footage)
★ 7.2
2023
Gone Before His Time: Freddie Prinze Sr.Film
Self (archive footage)
2023
The Man Who Stole Einstein's BrainFilm
Self (archive footage)
2022
Lucy and DesiFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.1
2022
Untold: Caitlyn JennerFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 6.8
2022
FinsterFilm
2021
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame StreetFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.4
2021
The Capote TapesFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 5.9
2020
AudreyFilm
Self - TV Host (archive footage)
★ 7.1
2020
My Darling VivianFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.1
2020
The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight ShowFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 5.9
2020
The Sounds of BaseballTV
Self (archive footage) • 2 episodes
2020
The Great Toilet Paper ScareFilm
Himself
2019
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My VoiceFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.6
2019
Mike Wallace Is HereFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 6.5
2019
Jeff Dunham: Talking HeadsFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 10.0
2019
Biography: Comedy IconsTV
Self • 2 episodes
2018
Won't You Be My Neighbor?Film
Self - TV Host (archive footage)
★ 8.0
2018
The Front RunnerFilm
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
★ 5.9
2018
Game ChangersFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.4
2017
Whitney: Can I Be MeFilm
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
★ 6.6
2017
Jerry Before SeinfeldFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 6.7
2017
The NinetiesTV
Self (archive footage) • 1 episodes
★ 6.9
2017
There's... Johnny!TV
Self (archive footage) • 7 episodes
★ 6.5
2017
This Is Bob Hope...Film
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.7
2017
The Swingin' A'sFilm
Self (archive footage)
2015
The SeventiesTV
Self (archive footage) • 1 episodes
★ 7.4
2014
Life ItselfFilm
Self - TV Host (archive footage)
★ 7.5
2014
The Battered Bastards of BaseballFilm
Himself (Archive Footage)
★ 7.4
2014
Mr. Baseball, Bob UeckerFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 6.0
2013
Behind the CandelabraFilm
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
★ 6.6
2013
Richard Pryor: Omit the LogicFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.1
2013
Gore Vidal: The United States of AmnesiaFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.7
2013
Llyn Foulkes One Man BandFilm
Himself
★ 7.7
2013
Quality Balls: The David Steinberg StoryFilm
Self (Archive Footage)
★ 7.0
2012
Johnny Carson: King of Late NightFilm
Self
★ 7.6
2010
The Best of Johnny CarsonFilm
Self (archive footage)
2009
The Minnie Riperton StoryFilm
(archive footage)
2008
Johnny Carson Celebrates ChristmasFilm
Self
2007
Jimmy Carter Man from PlainsFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 6.5
2007
The Best of The Tonight Show: Stand - Up ComediansFilm
2006
The Best of Carson, Volume 1Film
★ 10.0
2006
Carson CountryFilm
2004
Seinfeld: How It BeganFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.8
2003
Live and Swingin': The Ultimate Rat Pack CollectionFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.8
2003
Biography: Bob Hope: America's EntertainerFilm
Self (archive footage)
2002
The Ultimate Collection starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 70s and 80sFilm
Self (archive footage)
2002
The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70sFilm
2001
50 Years of NBC Late NightFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 5.0
2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2Film
Self (archive footage)
2001
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1Film
Self (archive footage)
1998
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity RoastsFilm
Self - Roastee (archive footage)
★ 6.5
1996
E! True Hollywood StoryTV
★ 8.1
1996
Bob Hope: Laughing With the PresidentsFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 8.3
1994
The World of Jim HensonFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.4
1994
Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - The Final Show: America Says FarewellFilm
Self - Host
★ 8.0
1994
Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '80s & '90s: The King of Late NightFilm
Self - Host
1994
Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '70s & '80s: The Master of Laughs!Film
Self - Host
1994
Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '60s & '70s: Heeere's Johnny!Film
Self - Host
1992
Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the BoysFilm
Self
★ 7.0
1992
Jack Benny: Comedy in BloomFilm
Himself
★ 9.0
1989
The SimpsonsTV
Johnny Carson (voice) • 1 episodes
★ 8.0
1987
James Stewart: A Wonderful LifeFilm
Self
★ 6.5
1987
It's Howdy Doody Time: A 40-Year CelebrationFilm
Himself - Guest
★ 7.0
1987
Jay Leno's Family Comedy HourFilm
Self
★ 7.0
1987
Whales!Film
Narrator
1986
Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday SpecialFilm
Self
★ 9.0
1986
The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary SpecialFilm
Himself
★ 8.0
1986
TV's Funniest Comedians - 14 Stars Do Classic RoutinesFilm
Self
1985
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star BloopersFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 2.0
1985
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be ThereFilm
1984
Night CourtTV
Johnny Carson • 1 episodes
★ 7.3
1984
Journeys through the DarkzoneFilm
Frankie's Dad
★ 10.0
1983
KoyaanisqatsiFilm
Self (archive footage)
★ 7.9
1983
George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show BusinessFilm
Self
★ 8.0
1983
Sheena Easton: Act OneFilm
Self (uncredited)
1982
CheersTV
Johnny Carson • 1 episodes
★ 7.6
1982
NewhartTV
★ 7.2
1982
NewhartTV
Johnny Carson • 1 episodes
★ 7.2
1982
Johnny Goes HomeFilm
Self
★ 8.0
1981
A Love Letter to Jack BennyFilm
Himself
1980
Lucy Moves to NBCFilm
Self
★ 3.3
1978
The Kennedy Center HonorsTV
Self • 1 episodes
★ 7.4
1978
Mickey's 50Film
Self
★ 9.0
1977
Life Goes to War: Hollywood and the Home FrontFilm
Himself
★ 9.0
1976
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 YearsFilm
Self
★ 7.2
1976
JoysFilm
Self
★ 6.0
1976
Bob Hope's World of ComedyFilm
(archive footage)
1976
NBC: The First Fifty YearsFilm
Self
1972
Cancel My ReservationFilm
Himself (uncredited)
★ 5.6
1972
Don Rickles: Alive and KickingFilm
Self
1971
Pure GoldieFilm
Self
★ 8.0
1970
Friars Club Roast of Don RicklesFilm
Self - Host
1968
Here's LucyTV
Johnny Carson • 1 episodes
★ 6.7
1968
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InTV
Self • 2 episodes
★ 6.8
1968
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InTV
The Mystery Person (uncredited) • 5 episodes
★ 6.8
1968
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InTV
Dick Martin (uncredited) • 1 episodes
★ 6.8
1968
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InTV
Self (uncredited) • 8 episodes
★ 6.8
1968
The Dean Martin Christmas ShowFilm
Self (uncredited)
★ 7.6
1968
The Beautiful Phyllis Diller ShowTV
Self • 1 episodes
★ 8.0
1968
Carnival NightsFilm
Self
★ 7.0
1967
The Danny Thomas HourTV
Narrator • 1 episodes
★ 6.7
1966
Space Ghost and Dino BoyTV
★ 7.5
1966
Murder at N.B.C.Film
1966
Stuart LittleFilm
Narrator (voice)
1965
Get SmartTV
Herald (uncredited) • 1 episodes
★ 8.0
1965
Get SmartTV
Special Guest Conductor • 1 episodes
★ 8.0
1965
Frank Sinatra SpectacularFilm
Self - Host
★ 9.0
1964
Looking for LoveFilm
Self
★ 5.8
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonTV
Self - Host • 3780 episodes
★ 7.6
1961
You're in the PictureTV
Himself • 1 episodes
1958
Kraft Music HallTV
Self • 1 episodes
★ 5.4
1958
Kraft Music HallTV
Self - Host • 3 episodes
★ 5.4
1958
The Dick Clark ShowTV
Self • 1 episodes
★ 6.7
1957
Tonight Starring Jack PaarTV
Self - Guest Host • 2 episodes
★ 7.5
1957
Three Men on a HorseFilm
Erwin Trowbridge
1956
The Steve Allen ShowTV
Self • 3 episodes
★ 6.2
1956
The Steve Allen ShowTV
Self - Comedian-Quiz Show Host • 1 episodes
★ 6.2
1956
The Steve Allen ShowTV
Self - Guest • 1 episodes
★ 6.2
1956
The Dinah Shore Chevy ShowTV
Self • 1 episodes
★ 6.4
1956
Tony AwardsTV
Self - Presenter • 1 episodes
1956
Lucy's Really Lost MomentsFilm
Self
★ 6.5
1955
The Johnny Carson ShowTV
Himself • 12 episodes
★ 7.8
1954
The Wonderful World of DisneyTV
Self • 1 episodes
★ 7.9
1953
The OscarsTV
Self • 5 episodes
★ 7.1
1953
The United States Steel HourTV
★ 6.3
1951
The Red Skelton ShowTV
Knight Who Makes Point of Order • 1 episodes
★ 7.4
1951
The Red Skelton ShowTV
Self • 1 episodes
★ 7.4
1950
What's My Line?TV
Self • 2 episodes
★ 7.1
1950
The Jack Benny ProgramTV
Johnny Carson • 2 episodes
★ 7.8
1950
The Bob Hope ShowTV
Self • 6 episodes
★ 7.0
1950
The Bob Hope ShowTV
The Masked Killer (uncredited). • 1 episodes
★ 7.0
1950
The Bob Hope ShowTV
Self - Cameo • 1 episodes
★ 7.0
1949
The Emmy AwardsTV
Self • 5 episodes
★ 7.9
1948
The Ed Sullivan ShowTV
Self • 6 episodes
★ 6.8