Steve Allen 9/27/1954 – 1/25/57 “The Tonight Show With Steve Allen”
Gene Rayburn: Allen’s announcer, shown here as “Match Game” host
Jack Lescoulie 1/28/57 – 6/21/57 format switch to “Tonight! America After Dark”
Al “Jazzbo” Collins 6/24/57 – 7/26/57 (Lescoulie’s replacement)
Jack Paar 7/29/57 – 3/30/62 “Tonight Starring Jack Paar”/”Jack Paar Tonight”
Franklin Pangborn: Paar’s announcer
Hugh Downs: Paar’s announcer
Ernie Kovacs (Monday/Tuesday host for Paar) 10/1/56 – 1/22/57
Johnny Carson 10/1/62 – 5/22/92 “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”
Ed McMahon: Carson’s announcer
Jay Leno’s final “Tonight Show” is Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. He previously exited in 2009 when Conan O’Brien took over. When O’Brien’s ratings tanked, NBC brought Leno back.
John Melendez: Leno’s announcer
Edd Hall: Leno’s announcer
Conan O’Brien 6/1/09-1/22/10 “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien”
Andy Richter: O’Brien’s announcer
Jimmy Fallon takes over “The Tonight Show” on Feb. 17, 2014
Steve Higgins: Fallon’s announcer