Fifty years ago today, Johnny Carson made his debut as host of The Tonight Show. The talk show featured comedy monologues and guest interviews with political, film and music personalities. More than 50 million people tuned in for the show’s finale in 1992 when the “King of Late Night” ended his 30 year reign.

Ed McMahon and Johnny Carson: Fort Lauderdale (ca. 1968)

Johnny Carson, Governor Claude Kirk and Dick Pope at Cypress Gardens: Winter Haven (May 4, 1968)