Carson drops $5 million on alma mater

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Former host of "The Tonight Show" Johnny Carson is giving his alma mater a multimillion dollar donation, "Entertainment Tonight" reported Thursday.

The comedian and television star is donating $5.3 million to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a portion of which the school plans to use to renovate the building housing its department of performing arts.

"I got my start in the Temple Building and have never forgotten the impact of my academic studies at the University of Nebraska on my life and career," Carson said.

Carson retired in 1992 after hosting the top-rated "The Tonight Show" for more than 30 years and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1987.