Jack Paar was the first host of The Tonight Show after Steve Allen left the program.
Paar took over NBC’s late-night program in 1957 and hosted until 1962. His version emphasized conversation, personal storytelling and long-form interviews, helping establish the host’s personality as the central feature of a late-night talk show.
The program was known during his tenure as The Tonight Show, although its branding and presentation changed over time. Paar’s emotional farewell in 1962 became one of early television’s famous live moments. Johnny Carson succeeded him later that year and went on to host for three decades.
A common mistake is to place Carson immediately after Steve Allen. Carson did eventually become the most enduring host in the franchise’s history, but Paar occupied the intervening period. Before Allen, the program had developed from Steve Allen’s Tonight Show format and earlier NBC late-night broadcasts.