Emmy Award-Winning TV Director Dick Carson Dies At 92
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Emmy Award-winning television director Dick Carson has died at the age of 92, according to Variety and other publications.
Dick, who's older brother was well-known television host Johnny Carson, died at his home in Studio City on December 19 following a bout with an illness. Relatives of Carson's say he died peacefully.
Carson's death was announced on Sunday by his publicist, Variety reported.
He was best known as the TV director of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" as well as "Wheel of Fortune." However, Carson's television career began well before when he started working for KOGO TV in San Diego, following his service in the United States Navy.
Before heading to New York to direct "The Tonight Show," Carson also directed both "Chucko the Birthday Clown" and "The Soupy Sales Show." He spent over seven years with his older brother on "The Tonight Show" before returning to California. He would go on to direct "The Don Rickles Variety Show," "The Sammy Davis Show," and parts of both "Get Smart" and "Your All-American College Show." One of his final ventures would be "The Merv Griffin Show," of which he directed over 200 episodes over a 14-year span.
Carson directed "Wheel of Fortune" for 22 years until he retired in 1999.
He was awarded five Emmy Awards over his career.
(© Copyright 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
