Johnny Carson

Navy portrait of Johnny Carson c. 1944, U.S. Navy Photographer

Birth Name: John William Carson

Date of Birth: October 23, 1925

Place of Birth: Corning, Iowa, U.S.

Date of Death: January 23, 2005

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, along with Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, German, Dutch, French, Scottish, and Swiss-German

Johnny Carson was an American comedian and television personality. He was the host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson from 1962 to 1992. His sidekick was Ed McMahon.

Johnny was the son of Ruth E. (Hook) and Homer Lloyd “Kit” Carson. He was married to Alexis Maas, until his death. He had three children with his former wife Jody Morrill Wolcott.

Johnny’s paternal grandfather was Christopher N. “Kit” Carson (the son of Marshall Carson and Emeline Kellogg). Christopher was born in Soldier, Monona, Iowa. Marshall was the son of William Carson and Dorothy “Dolly” Nye. Emeline was the daughter of Amos Kellogg and Rebecca Wilson Carver.

Johnny’s paternal grandmother was Ella Bernice Hardy (the daughter of Samuel Tomlinson Hardy and Viola M. Vincent). Ella was born in Magnolia, Harrison, Iowa. Samuel was the son of James Hardy and Minerva Tomlinson. Viola was the daughter of Ezra Vincent and Catharine Colburn.

Johnny’s maternal grandfather was George William Hook (the son of William Hook and Cynthia Saphronia Hopkins/Barnett). George was born in Missouri. Johnny’s great-grandfather William was the son of James Grant Hook and Sarah C. Lyle. Cynthia was the daughter of George W. Hopkins and Sarah Looney/Loomy.

Johnny’s maternal grandmother was Jessie Elton Boyd (the daughter of John Saylor Boyd and Simildie Elton Raynolds/Reynolds). Jessie was born in Iowa. Johnny’s great-grandfather John was the son of John Boyd, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and of Eliza Saylor, whose father was German. Simildie was the daughter of George William Raynolds/Reynolds, who founded the village Beavertown, Ohio, in 1839; and of Elizabeth Millar/Miller. The couple were first cousins.

Sources: Genealogies of Johnny Carson – https://www.geni.com
http://www.findagrave.com
https://famouskin.com