As of October 2020, which celebrity had hosted the most Primetime Emmy Awards ceremonies?

An Emmy Award (or simply “Emmy“) is an American award that recognizes excellence in various areas of the television industry.

As of 2020, Johnny Carson (Oct 1925-Jan 2005) has hosted the most Primetime Emmy Awards ceremonies. The so-called "King of Late-Night TV" co-hosted the 1962 Emmys with David Brinkley and Bob Newhart, then took the reins solo for the 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974 events. Not counting his first co-hosting appearance, he still has more Emmy-hosting gigs (four) to his name than anyone else, including 2020's emcee, Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel is currently in a 5-way tie for second place with four other previous hosts; as of Oct 2020 the five had each hosted three ceremonies.

Johnny’s longest and most famous hosting gig, of course, was on "The Tonight Show." He took over the program in October 1962 and stayed behind the desk for 30 years, until May 1992. During that time, he interviewed some of Hollywood's biggest and brightest stars, including Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Reynolds, Steve Martin, Debbie Reynolds, and Rita Moreno. He also featured some up-and-comers who went on to have major careers, such as Jim Carrey, Jerry Seinfeld, and Ellen DeGeneres.

Carson also put his talents to use at the Oscars, which he hosted five times between 1979 and 1984.

Carson himself received six Emmy Awards, the Television Academy's 1980 Governor's Award, and a 1985 Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987.