Long before Jimmy Fallon, way before Jay Leno, before Johnny Carson, or Jack Paar .. NBC's Tonight Show was hosted by its co-creator Steve Allen. 

In the fall of 1954, the 32 year old comedian and entertainer became the host of televisions first-ever late night talk show. 

Largely thanks to Alan's intelligent humor, The Tonight Show became a hit.  

Steve Allen soon moved on to other Ventures, but was always widely popular and in-demand.

I first met him in early 1987, when he wrote a book he modestly called How To Be Funny.