Ed McMahon’s “Her-e e e e ‘s Johnny!” is a signature phrase for none other than the undisputed King of Late Night talk show, Johnny Carson, who passed away on Sunday, January 23, 2005. He died peacefully surrounded by his family and friends. He had battled emphysema for many years.

On October 1, 1962, Carson was introduced as the new host for the “The Tonight Show” on the NBC network. For the next three decades, his monologues and jokes turned him into an American icon as well as one of the highest paid entertainers. Carson was nominated for an Emmy award seven times (1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991) winning in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1992.

Also in 1992, Carson was given the Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy and the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest honor to a civilian. Not only being one of the highest paid entertainers during his time, at one point he generated 17 percent of NBC’s profit

Not only was McMahon’s catch-phrase a trademark for the show, over the years, Carson developed skits that added to the routine and which fans expected to see. For example, if the audience didn’t find a particular joke funny, Carson would either have a microphone lowered to him and he would say “Attention K-Mart shoppers” or start tap dancing while the band played “Tea for Two.” And of course, he ended every night with a golf swing with an imaginary club

Through his own hardships, such as three bitter divorces and his son killed in a road accident, he has still managed to keep others laughing. Many well known comedians got their start from his show. Comedians such as Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, David Letterman, Steve Martin, among others all credit Carson for his generosity and expertise.

Robin Williams and Bette Midler were his final guests. Midler sang “One More For My Baby” which caused Carson to shed a tear. Although Letterman was the leading contender for the successor of Carson, the network went with Leno.

On January 24, “The Tonight Show” aired a tribute episode to Carson. Leno, along with McMahon, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles and Drew Carey expressed feelings towards their mentor.