Johnny Carson, considered one of the greatest comics of our time, died January 23, 2005, in his Malibu home of emphysema at age 79. As host of The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992 he came into the homes of Americans five nights a week and wowed them with his warm, charming, and clean humor. Senior nursing major from Union City, Jessica Morris said, “He had a way of reaching out of the T.V. to pull his audiences in.”

His guest list throughout 4,531 episodes includes great comedians such as Billy Cosby, Joan Rivers, and Robin Williams when they were still very new to the business. Rivers has said, “The Carson show changed your life, if Carson liked you, you were set. He got the bright comics. He picked the ones who were different, who were smart.” Along with an extaordniary guest list, he also will be remembered for bits he did during his shows like “Carnac the Magnificent” where Carson would play a bad psychic. The last episode of The Tonight Show hosted by Carson aired on May 22, 1992, and was watched by over 50 million people. His last guest, actress Bette Midler, serenaded Carson with “One More for My Baby” on the next to last show. Midler has said, “He had it all. A little bit of devil, a whole lot of angel, wit, charm, good looks, superb timing and great, great class.” The Tonight Show earned 42 Emmy nominations and won seven of these awards during Carson’s time as host. Carson himself in 1975 won a Golden Globe for his work on the show.

An outlet that Carson had for his humor after his retirement was that of David Letterman, colleague and friend. There were several times after reading the morning paper he would send jokes to Letterman that would be used on CBS’s The Late Show that is hosted by Letterman.

Carson was honored and beloved by his colleagues and all of America because when he was in front of the cameras, he felt like a family membe to viewers. President Bush described Carson as “a steady and reassuring presence in homes across America for three decades.” However, his personal life remained very private. Carson liked to be out of the public eye during his career and after his retirement, only making very few public appearances since 1992. Little was known about his battle that he was fighting.

America has lost a legend. Once, when he was asked what would be on his epitaph, he said like a true talk-show host, “I’ll be right back.”