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MILESTONES
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Grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska
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Performed ventriloquism and magic as "The Great Carsoni" at Elks, Moose and Redmen Lodges from age 14 in Norfolk, Nebraska
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Served as ensign in the US Navy during WWII
1948:
Radio announcer, KFAB, Lincoln, Nebraska
1948:
Moved to WOW, WOW-TV (show called "The Squirrels Nest") in Omaha
1950:
Became announcer of station KNXT, Los Angeles
1951:
Hosted first TV show, "Carson's Cellar"
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Was a writer for TV series, "The Red Skelton Show" (1951- 71)
1954:
Became emcee for TV quiz show, "Earn Your Vacation"
1955:
Hosted and scripted first series, "The Johnny Carson Show" on CBS-TV
1957:
TV acting debut, "Playhouse 90"
1957:
Moved to Harrison NY
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Emceed quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" On ABC-TV; joined for first time by longtime sidekick Ed McMahon in 1958
1960:
Starred in a primetime TV pilot, "Johnny Come Lately" (which didn't make it to the regular season schedule)
1962:
Replaced Jack Paar (October 1); show renamed "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson"
1964:
Feature acting debut, "Looking For Love"
1980:
Threatened to quit the "Tonight Show" in 1979; the action won him a new contract, shortened the show from ninety minutes to one hour and increased in salary to $5 million a year
1991:
Announced that final broacast as host of the "Tonight Show" will be May 22, 1992
1992:
Signed a multiyear contract with NBC to star in and develop programming for the network
1999:
Underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery
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