Johnny Carson, who defined American comedy for 30 years as the king of late-night television and quintessential host of NBC’s Tonight Show, died Sunday at age 79. His nephew, Jeff Sotzing, told the Associated Press, “Mr. Carson passed away peacefully early Sunday morning. He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable. There will be no memorial service.” The late-night fixture had been beset by health problems since his reitrement more than a decade ago. Carson underwent a quadruple-heart bypass in March 1999. Some reports said the comic had suffered a heart attack, necessitating the emergency surgery. In September 2002, he confirmed he was battling emphysema. It was this disease that yesterday killed him. Carson made a guest appearance on The Simpsons in 1993, starring as himself in the episode Krusty Gets Kancelled.
