US TV legend Johnny Carson dies

Last Updated: Sunday, 23 January, 2005, 20:02 GMT
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US TV legend Johnny Carson dies
Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson interviewed Groucho Marx as his first Tonight Show guest
US TV star Johnny Carson has died at the age of 79, after losing a battle with the respiratory disease emphysema.

The legendary former host of NBC's Tonight Show was surrounded by family and died peacefully, his nephew said.

Carson retired from the top-rated late-night entertainment show in 1992 after 30 years as one of the most popular TV personalities in the US.

In 2002 Carson, who often smoked during his show, was diagnosed with emphysema - a disease associated with smoking.

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