Legendary TV icon Johnny Carson, who stayed up late with Americans for 30 years as the host of "The Tonight Show", died surrounded by family. He was 79. 

Dubbed the "king of late night" and celebrated for his signature "Heeeeere's Johnny!" opening salutation in the show, Carson died surrounded by family Sunday morning, reported the Internet Media Database.

Known for his boyish good looks, snappy patter and wily humour, Carson hosted the Academy Awards five times and was the highest-paid television performer in the early 1980s.

Carson was married four times, including a marriage to former model Joanna Holland in the 1980s that prompted a notorious divorce case and innumerable alimony jokes on his show.

He retired in 1992 and lived a wealthy and quiet life of retirement, eschewing a number of offers to appear again on television.

He is survived by his fourth wife, Alexis, and two sons from his first marriage.