Millions knew Johnny Carson. A neighbor knew John.
Howard Smith’s twenty years of friendship with John Carson, told in funny, generous, no-drama stories that show the man away from the desk. Foreword by Jay Leno.
ABOUT THE BOOK
My Friend Johnny is a heartfelt and humorous tribute to a twenty-year friendship between Howard Smith and his neighbor, John Carson. Away from the spotlight, Carson was a loyal friend, tennis partner, and dinner host whose warmth and humility left a lasting mark. Through candid stories and original photos, Smith shows the man behind the legend without ever crossing the line of privacy Carson valued so deeply.
Set against Malibu’s elite circles, Smith’s journey includes personal and revealing encounters with icons such as Princess Diana, Bruce Springsteen, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Wahlberg, Oprah, Jerry Weintraub, Usher, David Foster, Arnold Palmer, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Hoffa, Tommy Lasorda – who changed Howard’s life forever, as well as seven U.S. presidents.
More than a memoir, My Friend Johnny is about true friendship, serendipity, and the magic of knowing someone beyond their fame. Woven throughout are the five traits Smith found again and again in the most successful people he met: self-motivation, discipline, humility, gratitude, and philanthropy
About the Author
Howard Smith has lived what he calls a “Forrest Gump” life: full of chance encounters, remarkable friendships, and unexpected turns. A driven entrepreneur, he built and led one of the nation’s largest software companies for a decade before a heart attack in his forties prompted him to step back. With encouragement from his friend, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, he retired early to focus on truly living.
That decision led him to Malibu, where fate placed him next door to Johnny Carson. Their friendship not only shaped Smith’s perspective but also inspired the stories in My Friend Johnny.
Through it all, Howard credits faith, perseverance, and bold choices for guiding his path. Above all, he is grateful for his greatest blessings: his wife of nearly five decades, Jane; their son, Scott; grandson, Damian; and his loyal dog, Addie, who together make every day a gift
