Carson Daly
Television host Carson Daly was born on June 22, 1973, in Santa Monica, California. As a teenager, Carson harbored early career ambitions of becoming a priest. However, while attending Santa Monica High School, he became passionate about golf, playing against fellow classmate Tiger Woods at the American Junior Golf Association; as well as caddying for the infamous O.J. Simpson. After graduating high school, Carson went on to attend Loyola Marymount University on a golf scholarship. He studied theology for one year before an internship with a Palm Springs radio station would open up yet another career path for him.
While pursuing a career in professional golf, a twenty-one-year-old Carson happened to land a job with Live 105 (KITS) radio station in San Francisco. One year later, he landed the high traffic afternoon drive home slot at KOME radio in San Jose, where his first assignment was to cover the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards live in New York City. Reportedly, listeners of KOME in San Jose wondered what happened to Carson when he disappeared from the airwaves without notice. They soon found out when they turned on their televisions.
In 1997, Carson began regularly appearing on MTV as a video jockey (VJ). With his status as an international personality now solidified, Carson quickly rose in the ranks at MTV, becoming a host of MTV’s popular show Total Request Live (TRL).
By 2002, Carson was juggling his own late-night NBC show, Last Call with Carson Daly, along with Total Request Live. It soon became apparent that something had to give when Total Request Live began going for long periods, sometimes weeks, with stand-in hosts replacing an unavailable Carson. In 2003, Carson stepped down from Total Request Live altogether to devote his energy to Last Call.
One of the many perks of Carson’s job in the media has always included the opportunity to meet various celebrities, which in turn has led to some high-profile relationships. From 1997-1999, Carson dated 90s It-girl actress Jennifer Love Hewitt; however, he later told People Magazine that she broke up with him in a rather indirect manner and that he only became aware of their break-up over the radio. During a 2005 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Carson revealed that he had gone to a tattoo parlor to cover up a tattoo on his ankle, which read “Love,” an homage to Jennifer. The resulting image was a Swiss Army Knife with a crab leg instead of a blade.
In 2000, while filming MTV's Spring Break in Cancun, Mexico; Carson met teen screen actress Tara Reid. The two entered into a highly publicized relationship and eventual engagement, but called it quits in 2001.
In 2003, MTV held its first ever bash or roast in tribute to Carson, poking fun at his popularity with teenyboppers and his deflated Hollywood romances.
In 2005, Carson’s physical appearance drew concern, as he seemed to have lost a significant amount of weight and looked frail for his 6'2" frame. Carson has previously expressed irritation with the media’s tendency to focus on the shrinking proportions of public personalities.
Carson currently serves as the owner and executive producer of Carson Daly Productions and continues to host Last Call with Carson Daly. The show is frequently nominated for a Teen Choice Award in the "Choice TV Show Late Night” category. YUDDY |
