October 3, 2016

Steve Allen was the first host of The Tonight Show. The Tonight Show premiered on September 27, 1954, at 11:15 a.m. with Steve Allen as host and Gene Rayburn as announcer. Steve Allen was instrumental in innovating the concept of the television talk show. Allen is also considered the originator of the talk show monologue and the comedy sketch break. The Tonight Show has had six official hosts, beginning with Steve Allen (1954–57), followed by Jack Paar (1957–62), Johnny Carson (1962–92), Jay Leno (1992–2009, 2010–14), Conan O'Brien (2009–10), and Jimmy Fallon (2014–present).