For 30 years, Johnny Carson amused audiences and entertained guests on “The Tonight Show,” becoming a television icon in the process — a pretty big accomplishment for an Iowan like Carson.

Carson, died of emphysema Sunday morning in his home in Malibu.

The entertainer, born in Corning, Iowa, in 1925, propelled himself to national stardom after getting his start in the area.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Carson took a job at an Omaha radio station, which soon began to offer television programming. After learning how to act in front of a camera, Carson moved to Los Angeles before getting his big break and hosting “The Tonight Show.”

People close to Carson’s birthplace see his passing as one of a close friend.

Chuck Egeland, 62, of Ames, said he was shocked and saddened at the news of Carson’s passing.

“When I did have a chance to watch him, I really enjoyed his work,” Egeland said.

Egeland said he recalls enjoying the monologue segments the most.

“I loved his monologues,” he said. “He could talk just about any topic and bring down the house.”

He also said Carson’s commitment to the show was a symbol of his love for comedy.

“Just the fact that he stayed at it so long, you just have to give him a lot of credit for that,” he said. “Anybody who could do the same thing night after night for that long and get the wonderful response that he did, he’s got to be one of a kind.”

Thomas Beell, professor of journalism and mass communication, said he, like many others, would be sure to catch “The Tonight Show” whenever it was possible.

“I watched it rather faithfully,” he says. “It was a habit for people [to watch ‘The Tonight Show’].”

The habit formed, Beell said, because Carson was able to shape and control popular discussion.

“I think a lot of people watched Carson because he set the agenda of what would be discussed the next day,” Beell said.

“He had a way of making profound points while not making people angry at him.”

But Carson didn’t just amuse his audience — he helped promote scientific practices.

Steve Kawaler, professor of physics and astronomy, said Carson, who often invited astronomer Carl Sagan onto his show, helped spread the ideas of astronomy and aided in making Sagan a recognizable figure in his field.

Ruthellen Cunnally, 53, graduate student in English, said she remembers Carson being a pioneer in late night television and setting the bar for other acts to follow.