For over thirty years, Johnny Carson was our late night companion, as he entertained the nation with his folksy down-home humor, irreverent celebrity interviews and his unique, barely-held together skits. But Sunday morning came the announcement that the legendary king of late night, and one of the true titans of American television, had taken his final curtain call.

"Mr. Carson passed away peacefully, early Sunday morning," Johnny's nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told the Associated Press. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable."

Born in Corning Iowa, October 23rd, 1925, and raised in nearby Norfolk, John William Carson started his showbiz career at 14 as a magician. Following Navy service in World War II, he worked local TV jobs in Nebraska and the Los Angeles. His big break came in the early '50s when, as a writer on "The Red Skelton" show, he replaced Red after the comedian suffered a backstage injury.

Johnny moved through several TV jobs in the years that followed, including quiz show host and host of "The Johnny Carson" variety show. It was on the game show "Who Do You Trust" in 1958 that Johnny first joined with long-time on-air buddy Ed McMahon (later his co-host on "The Tonight Show.")

The legend began when Johnny sat in for Jack Paar as host of Paar's "The Tonight Show," and when Paar left the show four years later, in 1962, Johnny was the first choice to fill the seat which he would make his own. The show grew in popularity in the coming years, based on Johnny's appeal, quickly becoming - and remaining, for year after year -- the nation's number one late night show.

Johnny ultimately retired from TV and "The Tonight Show" in 1992, at the age of 66. In the years between, he not only entertained the nation every weeknight, but also hosted the Academy Awards, the Emmys and starred in his own stand-up show in Las Vegas.

It was Johnny's relaxed quickness, combined with a positive, everyman manner, that made him such a long-time favorite of viewers. Even during the turbulent 1960s and '70s, everybody could agree that they had a funny friend waiting for them at the end of the day. For his characters Carmac, Aunt Blabby, Art Fern and many more, as well as his trademark golf-swing, Johnny will be missed and never forgotten by multiple generations of Americans.

Stay tuned for more details of Johnny's passing as they develop, and don't miss "Extra's" Monday edition for the reactions and remembrances of his friends and co-workers all over Hollywood.