Johnny Carson was an American TV host and comedian.  He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987 as well as six Emmy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.

It was on this day, June 30, 1955, that “The Johnny Carson Show” (a variety show, predating Tonight Show) premiered on CBS.  Carson was working with a staff writer on “The Red Skelton Show” when asked to fill in for the injured host, Skelton.  CBS created the show for him because his appearance was such a great success, and his show was sponsored by Revlon, Jell-O, Sanka, and Minute Rice.

The show was short-lived and only ran from 1955 to 1965, ultimately getting cancelled with poor ratings.  Carson, however, went on to become an American icon, and many hosts have looked to him for inspiration.  Jay Leno, David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien and Craig Ferguson have all mentioned Carson’s influence on their late-night talk shows.