On October 1, 1962, Johnny Carson takes over from Jack Paar
as host of the late-night talk program The Tonight Show.

Carson went on to host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny
Carson for three decades, becoming one of the biggest
figures in entertainment in the 20th century.

The guests that night in NBC’s Studio 6B were Joan
Crawford (above), Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett and Rudy
Vallee.

Ed McMahon (left) and Johnny Carson.