Henry Mancini proceeded to conduct Mancini's theme for the series. At the end, the shot switched to rare live action, and Mancini was seen alone applauding in the audience. Mancini also made a brief appearance in the title sequence of 1993's "Son of the Pink Panther", allowing the panther to conduct Bobby McFerrin in performing the film's theme tune. Mancini died of pancreatic cancer in Los Angeles on June 14, 1994. He was working at the time on the Broadway stage version of "Victor/Victoria", which he never saw on stage. Mancini was survived by his wife of 43 years, singer Virginia "Ginny"
Johnny's Theme Tonight Show" was called "the last widely public big-band forum". Incoming bandleader Branford Marsalis composed a more "funky" theme for successor Jay Leno because "a swing tune doesn't reflect Jay at all [and] jazz doesn't come to mind either." Henry Mancini and his orchestra recorded a arrangement of "Johnny's Theme" in 1972 for the German EP "Theme from Nicholas and Alexandra". A version also appeared as part of Mancini's 2010 compilation "Big Screen, Little Screen". Paul Anka produced a recording by Top Brass for Buddah Records in 1973. Lawrence Welk and his orchestra performed the song for their 1976 album