Late-night TV has become a staple of American entertainment, and it’s all thanks to the hosts who made us laugh, cry, and stay up way past our bedtimes. From iconic interviews to hilarious skits, these late-night hosts have captured our hearts and minds for decades. But which one truly reigns supreme? In this definitive ranking, we’ll dive into the best late night hosts of all time – from classic legends to modern-day favorites – so grab some popcorn and get ready for a trip down memory lane!
Johnny Carson
There’s no denying that Johnny Carson was one of the Best Late Night Hosts of All Time. For more than 30 years, Carson hosted “The Tonight Show” and entertained audiences with his quick wit and sharp interviewing skills. He was also known for his many memorable characters, including “Carnac the Magnificent” and “Art Fern.”
While Carson may not have been the first late night talk show host, he was certainly the most popular. And, even after his retirement in 1992, he remained an influential figure in the world of late night television. In fact, many of today’slate night hosts – including Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel – cite Carson as a major influence.
So there you have it: Johnny Carson is our pick for the best late night talk show host of all time.
David Letterman
David Letterman is one of the most iconic Best Late Night Hosts of All Time. He hosted The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS for 33 years, from 1982 to 2015. He is known for his wry humor and off-the-cuff interviews, and he has been credited with pioneering the ironic interview style that has become popular in recent years.
Letterman began his career as a morning talk show host on NBC’s The Today Show in 1975. He then moved to evenings with a nightly comedy program called The David Letterman Show, which was cancelled after just four weeks due to low ratings. Undeterred, Letterman returned to late night television in 1982 with Late Night with David Letterman on NBC. The show was a hit, and ran for 11 years before moving to CBS in 1993.
Throughout his career, Letterman has been nominated for numerous awards, including several Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody Award. In 2012, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Jay Leno
Jay Leno is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television host. He was the host of NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno from 1992 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2014.
Leno is known for his observational humor, self-deprecating jokes, and affable personality. He has been a stand-up comedian since the 1970s and has released several comedy albums. He has also appeared in numerous films and television shows.
Leno began hosting The Best Late Night Hosts of All Time in 1992, succeeding Johnny Carson. The show was popular with audiences and critics alike. Leno’s ratings regularly outperformed those of his competitors, including David Letterman and Conan O’Brien.
In 2009, Leno was succeeded by Conan O’Brien as the host of The Tonight Show. However, due to poor ratings, O’Brien was replaced by Leno after just seven months.
Leno returned to hosting The Tonight Show in 2010 and continued to do so until 2014 when he was succeeded by Jimmy Fallon. During his time as host, Leno won multiple Emmy Awards and was widely considered to be one of the best late-night hosts of all time.
Conan O’Brien
Since his days on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Conan has been a staple of late night television. He’s known for his quick wit and clever jokes, and he always seems to have a good time on his show. Even though he’s been hosting his own show for less than 10 years, he’s already made a name for himself as one of the best late night hosts around.
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon is one of the best late night hosts of all time. He has a great sense of humor and is always entertaining. His guests are always top notch and he always has something new and exciting to bring to the table. He is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the late night world.
Jimmy Kimmel
Even though he’s been hosting late-night TV for less than a decade, Jimmy Kimmel has quickly become one of the most popular and respected hosts in the business. His show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” is known for its mix of humorous monologues, celebrity interviews, and comedy bits.
Kimmel got his start in radio before moving to TV with stints on “The Man Show” and “Win Ben Stein’s Money.” He eventually took over “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in 2003, which was originally titled “The Jimmy Kimmel Show.” The show was not an instant hit, but it slowly grew in popularity thanks to Kimmel’s unique brand of humor.
In recent years, Kimmel has become known for his willingness to tackle serious topics like healthcare and gun reform. He has also been outspoken about his own personal struggles, including the death of his son due to congenital heart disease.
Despite being relatively new to the late-night scene, Jimmy Kimmel has already made a lasting impact with his smart and funny take on current events.
