Groucho Marx (left) made a special guest appearance on
the Tonight Show to introduce Johnny as the new host
Long time announcer and sidekick Ed McMahon (left) with Johnny
Johnny Carson (center) with Joan Crawford and Mel Brooks who were
among his first guests on the debut of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny
Carson (original run Oct. 1, 1962 – May 22, 1992)
Johnny near the end of his final show in 1992
The Tonight Show was hosted by Steve Allen (above) on NBC until
1957. The show is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the country and the third longest-running
show on NBC after Meet the Press and Today.
Steve at the piano during rehearsal for the show
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The Williams Brothers with young Andy third from the left
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams
(December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012)
(FoxNews) – Clean-cut crooner Andy Williams, whose performance of
"Moon River" became a pop music classic, has died. He “passed away
last night (Tuesday) at his home in Branson, Missouri following a year
long battle with bladder cancer”, according to his representative in a
statement to FoxNews.
Williams received 18 gold and three platinum albums over his long
career and was nominated for five Grammy awards. He released an
autobiography in 2009, “Moon River and Me: A Memoir.”
Phyllis Diller (July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012)
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Phyllis Diller, the housewife turned humorist who
aimed some of her sharpest barbs at herself, punctuating her jokes with
her trademark cackle, died Monday morning in her Los Angeles home.
"She died peacefully in her sleep and with a smile on her face," said her
longtime manager, Milton Suchin.
Diller, who suffered a near-fatal heart attack in 1999, was found by her
son, Perry Diller. The cause of her death has not been released.
Mike Douglas (Michael Delaney Dowd, Jr.)
(August 11, 1925 – August 11, 2006)
Douglas was a "Big Band" era singer, entertainer, and daytime
television talk show host who interviewed celebrities for 20 years.
His highest ratings came with a show co-hosted by John Lennon
and Yoko Ono. Bill Cosby credits Mike Douglas for his discovery.
February 14, 1972
