While Johnny Carson is remembered as the iconic late-night host who entertained America for three decades, Howard Smith saw a different side of him—a kind neighbor in Malibu.
Their initial meeting was orchestrated by talent agent Jerry Weintraub and his wife, singer Jane Morgan, who invited Smith to a star-studded dinner party.
At 101, Morgan asked Smith if he could be seated next to Carson.
Smith recalled, “We chatted. He had just moved out of four houses, and I have a tennis court. Jane thought it would be good to pair us since he was a bit shy.”
Carson’s wife, Alex Maas, expressed her admiration: “I didn’t know John personally, but he was my hero. At that dinner, we talked about a lot, including how he sold his beach house to John McEnroe.” She mentioned tennis at Pepperdine as one of Carson’s fond memories.
Despite his professional tennis background, Smith didn’t feel the need to show off on a college campus.
Smith remembered saying, “I have a tennis court whenever you want.” The next morning, he was surprised when Carson called. “I thought it was a prank when he asked to play tennis that day,” Smith recalled.
Their friendship blossomed quickly, leading to weekly games.
Smith recounted Carson’s 60th birthday dinner at Spago in Beverly Hills, thinking it would be a big affair. Instead, it was a small gathering with just a few guests, including Henry Bushkin and Joyce DeWitt. “I was surprised at how intimate it felt,” Smith said, feeling rather honored yet slightly out of place.
This connection solidified Smith’s role in Carson’s circle.
Now, as the 20th anniversary of Carson’s passing approaches, Smith is releasing a book titled *My Friend Johnny*.
“I think back on the 25 years I knew John, our conversations at his home, and the memories I cherish while writing this,” Smith shared. The publication aims to showcase their friendship, offering a glimpse into Carson’s life off-camera.
One memorable story from the book recounts a night at La Scala when they both had too much to drink and the sheriff had to give them a ride home.
Smith described how the sheriff was surprised to find Carson and himself waiting for help, and Carson charmed him into giving them a lift, which ended in laughter and a confused spouse.
As their tennis matches ended, they faced the bittersweet realization of wrapping up that chapter. Smith reflected on a poignant moment when Carson, an ex-smoker, expressed his sadness over not being able to play anymore.
Smith recounted, “He paused and asked if we had fun. I wanted to reassure him that we could play slower, but he seemed resigned.” The fear of friendlessness lingered in the air.
Over the years, many memories included their wives, Jane and Alex. The couple was generally private, despite the tabloids spinning wild stories about their relationship.
Smith noted, “The media had a field day. People speculated because John was such a big star. In reality, Alex chose not to engage with that narrative.” Carson himself once commented on how wrong the media could be about their marriage.
They remained together until Carson’s passing on January 23, 2005. Smith highlighted their last moments together, a lengthy dinner where Carson seemed to be saying his goodbyes.
He wrote, “It was a bittersweet evening. I sensed he wanted to say something important, perhaps even about his health.”
May 22 marks the anniversary of Carson’s final show, where an astonishing 60 million viewers tuned in to watch. Smith was honored to be in the audience with Carson’s family during this momentous occasion.
The farewell episode, which featured a moving tribute, showcased Carson’s humility. Smith mentioned how Carson didn’t seek applause but instead expressed gratitude to those who supported him through the years.
Years later, the fascination with Carson continues, and Smith hopes to provide deeper insights into his friend’s life away from the screen.
“John would have said, ‘Thank you for this, Howard,'” he reflected, emphasizing his desire to share Carson with the world.
