Johnny Carson

1. The Dual Nature of Johnny Carson: Star and Son of a Bitch

The truth is that he was an incredibly complex man: one moment gracious, funny, and generous; and curt, aloof, and hard-hearted in the next.

Undisputed Champion. Johnny Carson transcended mere stardom to become the "Undisputed Champion" and "Universal Standard" of talk-show hosts, a figure whose influence permeated American culture for decades. His nightly presence on The Tonight Show made him a familiar, witty, and charming figure to millions, yet his true self remained largely hidden. Even among Hollywood's elite, his mystique was palpable, with stars eager to meet him, drawn by his aloofness from the social scene.

Complex Persona. Despite his on-screen geniality, Carson harbored a deeply complex personality. The author, Henry Bushkin, who served as Carson's attorney, confidant, and "running buddy" for nearly two decades, describes him as "endlessly witty and enormously fun to be around," but also "the nastiest son of a bitch on earth." This duality meant he could be gracious and generous one moment, then curt, aloof, and hard-hearted the next, often without apparent reason.

Social Gifts, Relational Aptitude. Carson possessed an abundance of social gifts—intelligence, looks, manners, style, and humor—but paradoxically, he had "less aptitude for or interest in maintaining real relationships." He preferred interactions on his own terms, often using intermediaries for even acts of kindness. This inherent detachment, coupled with his immense talent, created a unique celebrity who was adored by the public but remained a mystery, and often a challenge, to those closest to him.

2. Bushkin's Unconventional Entry into Carson's Inner Circle

“Don’t worry, kid,” he said reassuringly. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. Trust me.”

Unlikely Candidate. In 1970, Henry Bushkin was a young, relatively inexperienced entertainment lawyer from the Bronx, a "little fish in a relatively small current." He was unexpectedly called upon by Johnny Carson, who, despite having access to Manhattan's top legal talent, sought Bushkin's help through a mutual friend, Arthur Kassel. Carson's distrust of established lawyers, combined with Bushkin's earnestness and willingness, created an improbable opening for the young attorney.

A Risky Proposition. Bushkin's first "case" for Carson was far from conventional: a clandestine break-in to his estranged wife Joanne's apartment to gather evidence of infidelity. This dubious, potentially illegal caper, involving a private investigator and a "security expert" carrying a deadly weapon, put Bushkin's legal oath and career at risk. Carson's casual reassurance, "Nothing's going to happen to you. Trust me," underscored the high-stakes, unconventional nature of their nascent relationship.

The "Rubber" and the Confidant. Bushkin's quick thinking, suggesting that Carson was technically paying for the apartment and thus had a claim to it, impressed Carson. This initial act of legal maneuvering, combined with Bushkin's discretion during a drunken, late-night confession from Carson about his marital woes and personal failures, solidified his position. Bushkin became not just a lawyer, but a trusted confidant, a "rubber" to absorb the fallout, and the only person Carson felt he could truly trust at that moment.

3. Carson's Early Financial Mismanagement and Exploitation

He had little money because the people around him, whom he trusted, were serving him poorly.

Shocking Poverty. Despite being a highly paid network television star for over a decade, Johnny Carson was surprisingly not wealthy when Bushkin began representing him. He had minimal investments, no real estate, and little savings. This revelation was a stark contrast to his lavish lifestyle and immense popularity, indicating a severe mismanagement of his finances by those he trusted.

Negligent Advisors. Carson's financial woes stemmed from a series of poor choices in advisors. His first managers, Al Bruno and Tom Shields, were fired for perceived disloyalty and neglect. His lawyer, Arnold Grant, negotiated a deferred compensation contract in 1967 that paid Carson only $3,000 a week (less than his celebrity guests per show), with the rest tied up for decades, leaving him cash-poor despite a nominal $100,000 weekly salary. Grant even charged a quarter-million-dollar fee that Carson couldn't afford, forcing him to take a loan.

Werblin's Exploitation. David "Sonny" Werblin, Carson's neighbor and manager, further exploited him. Werblin owned half of the "Johnny Carson Apparel" clothing line, while Carson merely received a salary for modeling. Werblin also created "Raritan Enterprises" to serve as The Tonight Show's executive producer, paying himself $6,000 a week for minimal work, effectively taking a 20% commission on Carson's salary. Bushkin systematically dismantled these exploitative arrangements, recovering millions for Carson and setting him on a path to true wealth.

4. The Cost of Carson's Marriages and His Mother's Shadow

“My marriages failed because she fucked me up!”

Marital Failures. Johnny Carson's personal life was marked by a series of troubled marriages, each ending painfully. His first marriage to Jody produced three sons, but he was often absent and unfaithful. His second marriage to Joanne ended in a contentious divorce, fueled by her infidelity and his desire for a new relationship. He firmly believed in marriage, seeing it as a societal expectation and a shield from media scrutiny, but his fidelity was consistently lacking.

Ruth's Toxic Influence. Carson attributed his marital failures and emotional detachment directly to his mother, Ruth. He described her as "the toughest son of a bitch of them all," impossible to please, indifferent, and emotionally withholding. This "chilly influence" left him with a "talent for unhappiness" and a deep-seated inability to form warm, affectionate bonds, particularly with women and even his own children.

The Price of Divorce. His divorce from Joanne was a protracted, acrimonious battle, with her lawyer, Raoul Felder, demanding unprecedented alimony. His later divorce from Joanna, without a prenuptial agreement (which Carson famously tore up in a "grand romantic gesture"), cost him a staggering $35 million. These financial and emotional tolls underscored his deep-seated issues with relationships, often leading him to delegate emotional support and even acts of kindness to intermediaries.

5. The Pivotal Battle for Carson's Free Agency from NBC

“Johnny’s calling it quits, Fred. He’s had a helluva run and he wants to sign off smilin’.”

Seventeen Years is Enough. In 1979, after 16 years as host, Johnny Carson decided to leave The Tonight Show, despite earning $10 million a year and being at the peak of his career. He felt "tired" and believed 17 years was enough, dismissing concerns about NBC's contract or the network's reliance on him. This decision, delivered by Bushkin to NBC President Mike Weinblatt, sent shockwaves through the network.

The Seven-Year Rule. NBC, led by the embattled Fred Silverman, threatened a $100 million lawsuit, claiming Carson had two years left on his contract. Bushkin countered with California's "de Havilland Law" (Section 2855 of the Labor Code), which limited personal service contracts to seven years. This legal battle, fought in a private arbitration before Judge William Hogoboom, was pivotal: if Carson won, he would be a free agent; if NBC won, they'd have a disgruntled host for two more years.

Victory and Opportunity. Judge Hogoboom ruled in Carson's favor, declaring him a free agent as of October 1, 1979. This victory, a "coup of the century," opened a "whole new world of opportunity." ABC immediately made a compelling offer, including doubling his salary and giving him ownership of his show. Ultimately, Carson chose to stay with NBC, securing an unprecedented deal: $25 million a year for one hour, three nights a week, 37 weeks a year, plus ownership of The Tonight Show and Carson Productions.

6. The Allure and Indulgences of Las Vegas for Carson

But never, and nowhere, was Johnny more pampered, more doted upon, more satisfied, and freer to explore and indulge the far boundaries of his Johnnyness than when he went to Las Vegas. It was his Shangri-la.

Shangri-La. Las Vegas was Carson's personal "Shangri-la," a fantasy world where he was pampered, adored, and free to indulge his "Johnnyness" without the usual constraints. He loved performing live, the excitement of new women, and the camaraderie with fellow comedians and musicians. Unlike other headliners, he often stayed in a private home, but still enjoyed the anonymity of grocery shopping among locals who respected his privacy.

The King of the Counts. Carson was the "King of the Counts" at the Sahara, consistently selling out shows and commanding top dollar. His act, though largely unchanged, felt fresh to audiences. Vegas offered him a controlled social atmosphere, with security keeping intruders at bay, but also opportunities to socialize with a select group of friends and fellow entertainers in the lounge after shows, often until the early hours.

Droit du Seigneur. Vegas also provided a "free-fire zone" for indiscretion, where the "droit du seigneur" (the lord's right to his serfs' maiden daughters) was implicitly accepted for headliners. Wives were generally absent from the Strip, and Carson, often accompanied by Bushkin, freely pursued relationships with other women. This lifestyle, while exhilarating for Carson, placed immense strain on Bushkin's own marriage, highlighting the Faustian pact of their close association.

7. Carson Productions: The Mogul He Didn't Want to Be

We would also see that the friend and colleague who had helped Johnny attain that success came to be resented by him for securing him power he did not want.

Reluctant Mogul. Carson's landmark NBC contract made him not just a wealthy entertainer, but also the owner of Carson Productions, with ownership of The Tonight Show and a guarantee for five new series. This positioned him to become a powerful entertainment mogul, a role Bushkin eagerly embraced. However, Johnny quickly revealed his deep ambivalence towards the business side, stating, "What the hell do I know about sitcoms? I don't have the foggiest fucking idea what would work."

Flops and Frustration. Despite hiring talented executives like J.J. McMahon and later Ed Weinberger, and having access to CAA's elite talent, Carson Productions struggled to produce hits. Shows like Lewis & Clark, Cassie & Company, and Teachers Only were critical and ratings failures, leading to the "Johnny Carson" name being associated with "stiffs." This lack of success, coupled with his disinterest in the production process, frustrated Carson, who found managing the company an "aggravation."

Selling Out. The company's only significant success was The Big Chill film and the syndicated Carson's Comedy Classics. However, Carson's disinterest in business extended to these ventures, leading him to shut down the successful film division. When Coca-Cola offered $100 million for Carson Productions, contingent on a five-year commitment from Johnny, he declined, unwilling to sacrifice his freedom. Ultimately, he decided to sell the company, a decision driven by his desire to shed the responsibilities of a mogul he never truly wanted to be.

8. The Joan Rivers Betrayal and Carson's Ruthless Loyalty

“Johnny feels like he’s been stabbed in the back. She will never appear on his show again.”

A Shocking Betrayal. In 1986, the announcement that Joan Rivers would host a late-night talk show opposite Carson on the new Fox network came as a profound shock and a "huge betrayal" to Johnny. Rivers was not only his discovery and a beloved guest, but also his official permanent guest host, a role Carson had personally bestowed upon her, significantly boosting her career. The fact that she never discussed the offer with him, even after dedicating her book to him, was inexplicable.

Personal vs. Business. While Barry Diller's (Fox CEO) move was seen as "just business," Rivers's actions were deeply personal for Carson. He felt "stabbed in the back" by someone he had nurtured and trusted. Bushkin, acting on Carson's behalf, immediately informed Rivers's lawyer that she would "never appear on his show again," a ban that lasted until Carson's death. This incident highlighted Carson's demand for absolute loyalty from those in his inner circle.

Edgar's Role. Joan Rivers later offered a credible explanation, citing insecurity about her future at The Tonight Show and feeling overlooked as a potential successor. Her husband and manager, Edgar Rosenberg, who had previously acted as an intermediary for Carson, likely played a significant role in orchestrating the Fox deal in secret, fearing that any direct contact with Johnny might lead Joan to stay. Carson, however, believed he would have given her his blessing had she approached him directly, underscoring the depth of the perceived betrayal.

9. The Gradual Erosion of the Carson-Bushkin Relationship

I was less available to play tennis with him. I became increasingly intolerant of his lack of civility toward company employees. In general, we were growing apart, and our friendship was lost.

Shifting Dynamics. As Carson's wealth and power grew, and Bushkin's own career matured, the dynamics of their relationship began to shift. Bushkin, once a young, eager attorney, became a prominent figure in his own right, with a thriving law firm and a growing family. This meant he was "less available" to be Carson's constant companion, tennis partner, and "quicker picker-upper," a role he had once embraced but now found increasingly taxing.

Growing Discontent. Carson's personality also became more difficult, exacerbated by his divorce from Joanna and worsening health issues. He grew more irritable, imperious, and intolerant of perceived slights, even on the tennis court, where his competitive nature often turned ugly. Bushkin found himself increasingly uncomfortable with Carson's "lack of civility toward company employees" and his tendency to blame others for problems, including the stock market crash.

The Final Break. The relationship reached its breaking point when Michael Klein, a new financial advisor introduced by Carson's fourth wife, Alex, falsely accused Bushkin and Ed Weinberger of trying to "steal" Carson Productions. In a swift, three-minute conversation, Carson fired Bushkin, ending their 18-year association. This unceremonious termination, followed by a protracted and bitter legal battle, left Bushkin feeling angry and betrayed, realizing that his loyalty had been sacrificed for a man who ultimately had "so little appreciation for what I'd given up."

10. Carson's Enduring Loneliness and Generosity Amidst Pain

He carried that pain, and spread it, all his life.

A Life of Contradictions. Johnny Carson, despite his immense success and public adoration, lived a life marked by profound loneliness and an inability to form deep, lasting emotional connections. This was largely attributed to the "toxic" influence of his mother, Ruth, who was emotionally cold and critical, leaving him with a deep-seated "talent for unhappiness." He loved his mother as a son, but did not like her, a pain he carried and inadvertently spread throughout his life.

Generosity and Detachment. Paradoxically, Carson was capable of immense generosity, often on a grand scale. He bought a new car for an old friend, sent $100,000 to a struggling restaurant owner, and provided financial support to his ex-wives and their families. However, these acts were often delegated to intermediaries, reflecting his difficulty in expressing affection directly and his discomfort with being "needed" emotionally.

The Shrinking World. In his later years, Carson's world continued to shrink. He retired from The Tonight Show, his son Rick died, and his relationships with former friends and colleagues, including Bushkin, dissolved. He died alone in 2005, separated from his wife, with his surviving sons unable to provide comfort. His vast estate, primarily from his ownership of The Tonight Show, was eventually channeled to charities, a final testament to his financial acumen, but also a poignant reminder of the emotional void that defined much of his life.

Last updated: August 25, 2025