Johnny Carson was an iconic American television host and comedian who graced the screens of millions of viewers for decades. Carson’s wit, charm, and impeccable timing made him a beloved figure on late-night television. He is best known for his role as the host of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” a show that set the standard for late-night entertainment and ran from 1962 to 1992.
Content of this Article
- Facts About Johnny Carson
- Johnny Carson’s Appearance
- Johnny Carson’s Net Worth
- Johnny Carson’s Personal Life
- Johnny Carson’s Career
- Johnny Carson’s Controversy
- Johnny Carson’s Real Estate
Facts About Johnny Carson
| Nationality | American |
| Estimated Net Worth | $300 million |
| Religion | Methodist/Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Corning, Iowa |
| Birthday | October 23, 1925 |
Johnny Carson’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 179 cm |
| Weight | 170 pounds |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown/Gray |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Average |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Johnny Carson’s Net Worth
Johnny Carson had a net worth of $300 million when he passed away. He became famous for hosting “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” from 1962 to 1992. During those 30 years, Carson played a significant role in starting the careers of many future stars, like Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, and Jay Leno, who took over the show after him.
Johnny Carson’s Personal Life
In October 1949, Johnny Carson tied the knot with Jody Wolcott in North Platte, Nebraska. Unfortunately, their marriage had its ups and downs, with both of them being unfaithful. It eventually ended in divorce in 1963. In that same year, Carson married Joanne Copeland on August 17. However, their marriage faced difficulties, leading to a lengthy divorce in 1972. Copeland received $6,000 per month in alimony as part of the divorce settlement until she either remarried or until Carson passed away. Additionally, she was also granted ownership of a valuable art collection.
During the 10th anniversary celebration of the “Carson Tonight Show” on September 30, 1972, Carson surprised everyone by revealing that he had quietly married former model Joanna Holland earlier that day. This news left his friends and colleagues in shock. However, their marriage didn’t last, as Holland filed for divorce on March 8, 1983. The divorce proceedings concluded in 1985 with an extensive 80-page settlement. In this settlement, Holland received $20 million in cash and property.
On June 20, 1987, Carson married Alexis Maas. They remained married until he died in 2005. Carson had three sons with his first wife: Christopher, Cory, and Richard. His middle son, Richard, died in a car accident on June 21, 1991. His car went off a steep embankment along a paved service road near Highway 1 in Cayucos, California.
In September 2002, Carson disclosed that he had emphysema but wasn’t terminally ill. Unfortunately, Carson passed away on January 23, 2005, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles due to emphysema-related respiratory failure. Following his cremation, his ashes were given to his wife.
Many tributes were offered to Carson when he passed away, including a statement from then-President George W. Bush. They all acknowledged the strong and lasting affection people had for him.
Johnny Carson’s Early Life
Johnny Carson was born John William Carson on October 23, 1925, in Corning, Iowa. His parents were Ruth Elizabeth (Hook) Carson and Homer Lloyd “Kit” Carson, who worked as a power company manager. He was the middle child among three siblings, with an older sister named Catherine “Kit” (Carson) Sotzing and a younger brother named Richard Carson.
During childhood, he resided in the nearby towns of Avoca, Clarinda, and Red Oak in southwest Iowa. When he was eight years old, he moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, where Carson spent his formative years and started honing his skills in entertainment. Carson didn’t attend church regularly as an adult but had a Methodist upbringing during childhood. In high school, he occasionally attended Christian Endeavor gatherings at the local church.
Carson enlisted in the United States Navy on June 8, 1943. He underwent officer training as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which took place at Columbia University and Millsaps College. As the war ended, he was commissioned as an ensign and served on the USS Pennsylvania in the Pacific. While in the Navy, Carson had an impressive amateur boxing record of 10 wins and zero losses, and most of his matches took place aboard the Pennsylvania. He was on a troop ship heading to the combat zone when the war ended.
Carson was a communications officer responsible for decoding encrypted messages during his military service. He considered a highlight of his time in the military to be the opportunity to perform a magic trick for the United States Secretary of the Navy, James V. Forrestal. While in the Navy, Carson made the most of educational opportunities and enrolled at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
He became a Phi Gamma Delta fraternity member and continued showcasing his magic skills there. Initially, he pursued a journalism major with dreams of becoming a comedy writer. Still, after a few months, he changed his major to speech and drama because he aspired to be a radio performer. In 1949, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in radio and speech with a minor in physics.
Johnny Carson’s Career
Johnny Carson started broadcasting in 1950 at WOW radio and television in Omaha. There, he took the helm of a morning TV show called “The Squirrel’s Nest.” In one of his quirky acts, he interviewed pigeons perched on the courthouse roof, humorously pretending that they were reporting political corruption. To make ends meet, Carson also worked as the master of ceremonies at local church gatherings, where some politicians and community figures he’d poked fun at on the air were in attendance.
In 1953, the comedian Red Skelton, a fan of Carson’s “cult success” low-budget sketch comedy show called “Carson’s Cellar” on KNXT, invited Carson to join his program as a writer. Then, in 1954, during a rehearsal just an hour before Skelton’s live show was set to start, Skelton accidentally knocked himself out. In a pinch, Carson stepped up and skillfully took his place.
In 1955, Jack Benny invited Carson to be part of one of his shows’ opening and closing segments. During these segments, Carson playfully mimicked Benny and jokingly suggested that Benny had borrowed some of his gestures. Benny, who acknowledged his significant influence on Carson’s comedic style, confidently predicted that Carson would have a successful career as a comedian.
In addition to “Carson’s Cellar,” Carson hosted a variety of other shows, such as the game show “Earn Your Vacation” and the CBS variety program titled “The Johnny Carson Show.” Furthermore, he appeared as a guest panelist on the original version of “To Tell the Truth” starting in 1960 and eventually became a regular panelist from 1961 to 1962.
The Tonight Show
Johnny Carson’s achievements on ABC’s “Who Do You Trust?” caught the attention of NBC, which approached him about hosting “Tonight.” Initially, Carson turned down the offer because he was concerned about the challenge of conducting daily 105-minute celebrity interviews. However, NBC persisted and persuaded Carson to accept the opportunity by early February 1962.
Because Carson still had six months remaining on his ABC contract, NBC had to rely on various guest hosts until he could officially step in as the host of “Tonight.” These guest hosts included Merv Griffin, Art Linkletter, Joey Bishop, Arlene Francis, Bob Cummings, Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx, Donald O’Connor, and others.
Despite his initial uncertainties, Carson assumed the role of host for “Tonight” (later known as “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”) on October 1, 1962. Although the first year proved challenging, Carson eventually conquered his fears and succeeded in the role.
Johnny Carson’s Controversy
Wayne Newton Feud
Johnny Carson frequently poked fun at other celebrities, and in 1980, he had a deal to buy the Aladdin Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas but backed out. Instead, Wayne Newton and his group ended up purchasing the property successfully. Carson didn’t like that the media often portrayed him as having “lost” the deal, and in response, he started cracking jokes on his show about Newton. This was partly because Newton had invested a lot of effort into building a strong, masculine image.
This led to a well-known feud between Carson and Newton. In later years, Newton went on “Larry King Live” and publicly called Carson “a mean-spirited human being.” Newton has recounted confronting Carson personally, and things escalated to the point where Newton stormed into Carson’s office at NBC Studios and threatened to confront him unless the jokes ceased physically. The jokes did stop, but only after Carson, who had an undefeated 10-0 record as a Navy boxer, found the situation amusing.
Drunk Driving Incident
On February 27, 1982, Johnny Carson was arrested for driving under the influence near Beverly Hills on La Cienega Boulevard. He was released without bail. Carson later pleaded no contest to the charges. In October 1982, he was sentenced to three years of probation, fined $603, and ordered to attend a driver’s education program focused on alcohol awareness. For 90 days, his driving was limited to commuting to work and attending alcohol education classes.
The New York Times
On July 2, 1969, after his nightly monologue, Carson launched an on-air critique of The New York Times. He criticized the newspaper for publishing an article claiming he was the highest-paid TV performer, making $75,000 weekly.
Carson vehemently denied this, though he refused to disclose his earnings in a subsequent interview with the newspaper. He labeled the article as “unfair.” The New York Times later published a follow-up article acknowledging that their initial report had been mistaken and it was improbable that Carson was making $75,000 a week.
Johnny Carson’s Real Estate
The house where Johnny Carson lived for nearly 20 years was put on the market for $81.5 million in 2017. It was the first time it had been listed in a decade. This estate covers 7,083 square feet and sits on approximately four acres of meticulously landscaped land. The 1978 home’s architect, Ed Niles, boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and offers easy access to the beach.
Inside the main house, you’ll find two bedrooms, two master bathrooms (his and hers), two additional bathrooms, and one half-bath. There’s also a guest house with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a gym for convenience. Outside, the property offers a tranquil oasis with a waterfall, a Koi pond, and a saltwater pool, perfect for escaping the California heat. One standout feature is a championship tennis court with a viewing area, where Carson enjoyed many matches. As a unique touch, there’s even a bench from Wimbledon that was gifted to Carson by NBC.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV Hosts
Jimmy Fallon’s Net Worth
James Thomas Fallon, better known as Jimmy Fallon, is a multifaceted talent who has made a mark as a comedian, actor, television host, and musician. Over the decades, Fallon’s infectious humor, wit, and distinctive style of late-night TV hosting have made him a household name. His journey from a young boy in Bay Ridge, New York, passionate about guitar and comedy, to the iconic stage of “Saturday Night Live” and eventually taking the reins of “The Tonight Show” is a testament to his relentless drive and talent. However, like any public figure, his career hasn’t been without controversy, including a much-debated interview with Donald Trump and recent workplace allegations. Real estate investments also play a part in Jimmy Fallon’s net worth, which stands at an impressive $60 million as of 2023.
Larry King’s Net Worth
Larry King, the iconic American broadcaster, was celebrated for his unique interviewing style, which he showcased in his long-running show, “Larry King Live,” on CNN from 1985 to 2010. Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn in 1933, King’s journey from a radio disc jockey in Miami to a renowned TV host involved interviews with celebrities, world leaders, and influential personalities. Throughout his career, King faced personal and professional challenges, including multiple marriages, controversies, and legal battles. Despite the ups and downs, his legacy in the broadcasting world remains unmatched. The article also details various aspects of his life, including physical appearance, personal relationships, early life, education, career highlights, and controversies. Larry King’s net worth, a testament to his accomplished career, was approximately $50 million at the time of his passing in 2021.