Christopher Carson, the oldest son of Johnny Carson, has died at 74. His death was confirmed by Howard Smith, a long-time friend of Johnny, who shared that Chris passed away earlier this year but did not disclose the cause.
On the “Nostalgia Tonight” podcast, Smith mentioned that he was informed about Chris’s death by Jeff Sotz, Johnny’s late nephew, two months ago. He reminisced about trying to stay in touch with Chris after Johnny passed, even moving to a house near Fort Lauderdale. During a conversation at a golf club, Smith learned that Chris was a member there, which he found both surprising and a bit nostalgic.
Smith recalled a moment during a show when he learned from Jeff that Chris had died just a week prior. This news puzzled him, filling him with disbelief.
Johnny Carson had three sons with his first wife, Joanne Morrill Ulcott. Chris, born in 1960, was followed by his brothers Rick and Corey. Sadly, Rick died in a car accident in 1991 at just 39. Corey is still alive, but it seems they haven’t stayed very close as a family.
Smith also recounted how Chris, who loved golfing, would visit his father in Florida, often bringing his golf clubs along. The family dynamic was a bit unconventional—instead of playing together, Johnny sometimes preferred to ride along as a spectator.
While Chris mostly kept a low profile, he did attract attention in the 1980s during a custody battle with his ex-partner Tanena Love Green over their daughter, Christal Love Carson. It came to light during the trial that Chris worked as a golf instructor but primarily relied on financial support from his father.
Johnny Carson, known for hosting the “Tonight Show,” passed away in January 2005 at 79. His legacy continues, though it seems the family faced its share of ups and downs.
