Johnny Carson’s Legendary Moments on The Tonight Show
Johnny Carson, an iconic host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” left us with countless memorable moments throughout his tenure. In a new book titled “Love Johnny Carson,” fan Mark Markoff dives into some of the show’s most unforgettable events, including a notorious clash between Hollywood legends Zsa Zsa Gabor and Marlon Brando.
This particular incident took place during a live recording from Burbank, California, in May 1963. According to Markoff, Brando came on the show inebriated and sat next to Gabor, who was there to promote her new face cream.
Initially, the two seemed friendly. Brando even called Gabor charming. But, as time progressed, it became apparent that Brando was less than pleased with Gabor’s attempts to dominate the conversation. He later attempted to share a weak knock-knock joke, which received only polite applause. Gabor seized the moment to remark, “Only for Marlon Brando would they praise that.”
The dialogue quickly turned awkward when Gabor redirected the topic back to her product, touting its benefits. At one point, Brando, clearly annoyed, reportedly asked, “Do I have to sit here all night and listen to your shady plug?” This led to a fierce exchange of insults, prompting Gabor to storm off the set, while a drunken Brando simply grinned.
Brando, often celebrated as one of the greatest actors in history, was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning twice—in 1955 for “On the Waterfront” and in 1973 for “The Godfather.” He had an extensive career that spanned over 50 years, accumulating more than 40 film and television credits.
Despite a downward turn in his career from the 1980s to early 2000s, Brando’s last film appearance was in “The Score” in 2001. He passed away in July 2004 at age 80, due to respiratory failure related to pulmonary issues.
Jack Nicholson once remarked, “Marlon Brando is one of the great figures of the 20th and 21st centuries,” emphasizing the lasting impact Brando had on the film industry. He considered Brando an idol, stating that his influence on cinema was unparalleled. “He may not like it, but he’ll be there forever anyway.”
