Host Of Prototypical Late Show Dies At 85

Jerry Lester, a host of the early ‘50s TV show “Broadway Open House,” the forerunner of the “Tonight Show,” died after a long illness. He was 85.

“Broadway Open House,” a vaudeville-style mixture of music and jokes, ran for 15 months on NBC in 1950-51, becoming the first network late-night show.

Lester was host three nights a week, splitting the chores with comic Morey Amsterdam. NBC later refined the late-night concept, and “Tonight” premiered in 1954.

Lester also was a regular on the ‘50s game show “Pantomime Quiz,” and other variety shows.