Ed Sullivan is a 2026 Inductee! Ed Sullivan was a true “kingmaker” of American popular culture, whose Sunday night television stage turned unknown performers into national sensations and reshaped the course of rock & roll history. As host of theedsullivanshow (1948–1971), he transformed variety television into a weekly cultural event, introducing millions of viewers to music, comedy, and international acts at a time when TV was becoming the country’s dominant medium. Across more than two decades and over a thousand episodes, his program became one of the most powerful platforms in entertainment. Sullivan began as a sportswriter before moving into Broadway reporting and vaudeville hosting, where he developed his instinct for spotting talent. On his show, he helped launch or elevate artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, James Brown, and The Rolling Stones. He also brought Black performers such as Nat King Cole and Stevie Wonder to mainstream television during an era of segreg...