LOS ANGELES — Johnny Carson gave Americans a laugh at the end of the day, started the careers of a generation of young comics, owned the title of late-night TV king — and stayed a droll Midwestern boy.
When Carson left "The Tonight Show" nearly 13 years ago, Bette Midler serenaded him with "One More for My Baby." On his death Sunday at age 79, a chorus of voices praised him as a mentor and American institution.
"All of us who came after are pretenders. We will not see the likes of him again," said "Late Show" host David Letterman. "He gave me a shot on his show and in doing so, he gave me a career."
America's best-known comedians hurried out statements honoring Carson.
"Johnny was responsible for the beginning and the rise of success for more performers than anyone. I doubt if those numbers will ever be surpassed," Bill Cosby said.
"One of the greatest thrills of my career was not on stage but when Johnny called me after seeing me host the Oscars and telling me how much he loved what I did," Billy Crystal said. "That's how much I looked up to him. He was a true idol."
Carson's Midwestern roots counted, President Bush noted.
"Born in Iowa and raised in Nebraska, Johnny Carson was a steady and reassuring presence in homes across America for three decades. His wit and insight made Americans laugh and think and had a profound influence on American life and entertainment," Bush said Sunday.
Carson died early Sunday morning, according to his nephew, Jeff Sotzing. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable," Sotzing told The Associated Press.
He did not provide further details, but NBC said Carson died of emphysema — a respiratory disease that can be attributed to smoking — at his Malibu home.
The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience.
"Heeeeere's Johnny!" was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as "Carnac the Magnificent."
But America never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992.
"I was his last guest, and it was one of the most moving experiences of my life. He had it all. A little bit of devil, a whole lot of angel, wit, charm, good looks, superb timing and great, great class," Midler said in a statement.
McMahon said Sunday that Carson was "like a brother to me."
Carson's personal life could not match the perfection of his career. He was married four times, divorced three. In 1991, one of his three sons, 39-year-old Ricky, was killed in a car accident.
Carson spent his retirement years sailing, traveling and socializing with a few close friends including media mogul Barry Diller and NBC executive Bob Wright. He refused to be wooed back on stage.
"I just let the work speak for itself," he told Esquire magazine in 2002.
Carson did find an outlet for his creativity: He wrote short humor pieces for The New Yorker magazine, including "Recently Discovered Childhood Letters to Santa," which purported to give the youthful wish lists of William Buckley, Don Rickles and others.
Carson made his debut as "Tonight" host in October 1962 and quickly won over audiences. Four consecutive Emmy Awards came his way in the late 1970s.
In the '80s, Carson was reportedly the highest-paid performer in television history with a $5 million "Tonight" show salary alone. His Carson Productions created and sold pilots to NBC, including "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes."
He also performed in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J., and was host of the Academy Awards five times in the '70s and '80s.
Carson's graceful exit from "Tonight" did not avoid a messy, bitter tug-of-war between Leno and fellow comedian David Letterman to take over his throne. Leno took over on May 25, 1992, becoming the fourth man to hold the job after Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Carson. Letterman landed on rival CBS.
Born in Corning, Iowa, and raised in nearby Norfolk, Neb., Carson started his show business career at age 14 as the magician "The Great Carsoni."
After World War II service in the Navy, he took a series of jobs in local radio and TV in Nebraska before starting at KNXT-TV in Los Angeles in 1950.
There he started a sketch comedy show, "Carson's Cellar" and attracted attention from Hollywood. A staff writing job for "The Red Skelton Show" followed.
Producers tried to find the right program for the up-and-coming comic.
A few acting roles came Carson's way, including one on "Playhouse 90" in 1957, and he did a pilot in 1960 for a prime-time series, "Johnny Come Lately," that never made it onto a network schedule.
In 1958, Carson sat in for "Tonight Show" host Paar. When Paar left the show four years later, Carson was NBC's choice as his replacement.
After his retirement, Carson took on the role of Malibu-based retiree with apparent ease. An avid tennis fan, he was still playing a vigorous game in his 70s.
He and his wife, Alexis, traveled frequently. The pair met on the Malibu beach in the early 1980s; he was 61 when they married in June 1987, she was in her 30s.
Carson's first wife was his childhood sweetheart, Jody, the mother of his three sons. They married in 1949 and split in 1963. He married Joanne Copeland Carson that same year, but divorced nine years later. His third marriage, to Joanna Holland Carson, took place in 1972. They divorced in 1985.
Carson won a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 1992. In 1993, he was celebrated by the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors for career achievement.
His nephew said there will be no memorial service.
Contributing: Jeff Wilson, Associated Press