born Sept. 28, 1901, New York, N.Y., U.S.
died Oct. 13, 1974, New York City
U.S. television host.
He began his career as a journalist and wrote a Broadway gossip column for the Daily News . Known for his talent at discovering interesting new performers, he was hired by CBS to host its variety program Toast of the Town (1948–55), later called The Ed Sullivan Show (1955–71), where he presented diverse entertainment (combining, for example, a concert pianist, a singing fireman, and a boxing referee with Hollywood celebrities in a single show) in a program that became a national institution for more than 20 years. Sullivan's terse way of introducing guest performers and distinctive mannerisms made him a popular target for comedians.