Former 'Tonight Show' host Johnny Carson dead at 79: NBC

LOS ANGELES, Jan 23 (AFP) - Johnny Carson, the long-time host of NBC television`s "Tonight Show," has died at the age of 79, NBC reported Sunday.
Carson, a pioneer of late night television comedy and the talk show format in the United States, stepped down as host of the "Tonight Show" in 1992, when he was replaced by the current host Jay Leno.
The Nebraska-born Carson had hosted the "Tonight Show" since 1962. He interviewed scores of celebrities during his years on the ground-breaking broadcast.
Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney appeared on the show in 1968. Carson`s final guests were singer Bette Midler and comedian Robin Williams. His last show was seen by an audience of 50 million across the United States according to NBC.
Carson was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.
He underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 1999.

01/23/2005 19:21 GMT - AFP