Johnny Carson’s Secret Blacklist: The 9 Golden Age Stars He Called “Truly Evil”

For three decades, Johnny Carson was America’s trusted late-night companion, the king of television who welcomed the world’s biggest stars onto The Tonight Show stage. His quick wit, warm smile, and effortless charm made millions feel as if they were sharing coffee with old friends. But behind the scenes, Carson kept a mental blacklist—a secret list of guests he believed were not just difficult, but truly evil.

In recent years, stories have emerged from Carson’s closest confidantes, painting a disturbing portrait of beloved icons whose public personas masked dark, troubling behavior. Now, with new revelations from former producers and staff, the truth about Carson’s most hated guests is finally coming to light.

The Hidden Darkness Behind Hollywood’s Glamour

“He was the ultimate professional on camera,” recalls a former Tonight Show producer who worked with Carson for over a decade. “But sometimes, during commercial breaks, he’d whisper to Ed McMahon, ‘That person should never be near a camera or a child.’”

As Carson aged, he grew more candid about the celebrities he secretly despised. To his inner circle, he revealed stories of abuse, manipulation, and cruelty that he witnessed firsthand—often from stars who were adored by millions.

From legendary actresses to iconic comedians, Carson’s blacklist reveals the dark side of Hollywood’s golden age.

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Joan Crawford: The Queen of Ice

When Joan Crawford appeared on The Tonight Show in 1970, viewers saw a gracious Hollywood legend. But backstage, staff saw something else.

“She was one of the coldest people I’ve ever interviewed,” Carson told his biographer. Crawford’s demands were legendary: specific lighting angles, studio temperature set to exactly 67°, and her own makeup team flown in. But her true character emerged when she verbally assaulted a young production assistant for a trivial mistake, calling her “brainless” and demanding she be fired.

During commercial breaks, Crawford’s smile vanished, replaced by a stony silence. When Christina Crawford’s memoir Mommy Dearest exposed Joan’s alleged abuse, Carson simply nodded: “I saw who she really was in those few hours. I believe every word.”

Frank Sinatra: The Charming Bully

On screen, Frank Sinatra and Carson appeared cordial. Off camera, Carson harbored deep dislike for the legendary crooner—not for his talent, but for his intimidating behavior.

“If he didn’t sing, he’d be a mob enforcer,” Carson once confided. Sinatra arrived with an entourage that made staff feel like they were under surveillance. He physically assaulted a floor manager for giving a time cue and made disparaging remarks about female staff.

Carson, usually detached, once snapped, “We don’t talk about my staff that way here.” Afterward, he limited Sinatra’s appearances, a rare move for the ratings-conscious host.

Orson Welles: The Genius Who Thought He Was Above the Rules

Orson Welles was a frequent guest, bringing his booming voice and legendary stories. But Carson and his team found him insufferable.

Welles dismissed prepared questions, ignored time cues, and once attempted to direct camera angles from the couch. He refused to speak directly to assistants, instead referring to them in the third person.

“Genius doesn’t excuse everything,” Carson said. “Being brilliant doesn’t give you the right to hijack someone else’s show.”

Bette Davis: The Queen of Verbal Violence

Bette Davis dazzled audiences with wit and stories, but backstage she was abrasive and confrontational. She interrupted other guests, drank whiskey before shows, and used sexist and racist language.

Carson intervened when Davis berated a cue card holder, telling her, “On this show we speak to everyone with respect or we don’t speak at all.” After her final appearance, Carson declared, “Life’s too short to spend it being verbally flogged by Bette Davis, no matter how many Oscars she has.”

Mickey Rooney: The Aging Child Star With Wandering Hands

Mickey Rooney, Hollywood royalty, was notorious for inappropriate behavior and chaotic energy. Female staff dreaded his appearances due to unwanted touching and suggestive comments. Rooney often arrived intoxicated, slurring words and making inappropriate remarks on air.

After one incident, Carson personally apologized to a young actress for Rooney’s conduct, vowing it would never happen again. Rooney’s appearances dwindled as Carson insisted on pre-taped segments to minimize risk.

Zsa Zsa Gabor: The Diva Who Drove Carson to Despair

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s glamorous persona masked a mountain of demands: precise room temperature, fresh orchids, imported water, and her own lighting technician. She refused to leave her dressing room if her needs weren’t met, delaying tapings and disrupting schedules.

Carson once quipped, “I’d rather interview a cat. At least the cat wouldn’t need three assistants and special lighting.” Despite the headaches, Gabor’s entertainment value kept her on the show—though Carson’s patience wore thin.

Shelley Winters: The Unpredictable Powder Keg

Shelley Winters, a two-time Oscar winner, was infamous for unpredictable outbursts. Instead of light-hearted stories, she delivered intense political monologues and personal revelations that left Carson uncomfortable.

Winters once threw a glass of whiskey in a fellow guest’s face on a British talk show, prompting Tonight Show staff to remove throwable objects from the set when she appeared. Carson respected her authenticity but preferred guests who complemented the show’s format.

Jane Russell: The Star Whose Politics Carson Couldn’t Stomach

Jane Russell, Hollywood sex symbol, was rarely invited back after early 1970s appearances. Carson objected to her extreme political views and treatment of LGBTQ+ staff, including refusing a gay makeup artist and making derogatory remarks about Rock Hudson.

Carson maintained a policy of neutrality, but Russell’s behavior crossed a line. After one appearance, she was effectively banned—a rare move for a star of her stature.

Jerry Lewis: The Comedian Carson Called “Truly Hateful”

Jerry Lewis, beloved for his telethons and manic comedy, was, according to Carson’s staff, one of the most demeaning celebrities in Hollywood. He talked over Carson, adjusted his tie without permission, and berated crew members for trivial reasons.

Lewis’s public persona as a champion for children clashed with his private cruelty. After Lewis’s final appearance, Carson declared, “Never again.” Years later, he called Lewis “truly hateful,” a harsh judgment from the usually diplomatic host.

What Carson’s Blacklist Reveals About Hollywood

Johnny Carson’s secret blacklist offers a rare glimpse into the reality behind Hollywood’s golden age. “Johnny saw everything,” said a longtime producer. “For 30 years, every major star had to go through him. He knew who was genuine and who was faking it.”

Unlike tabloid journalists, Carson had nothing to gain by exaggerating or inventing stories. His judgments came from firsthand experience, and when he disliked someone, it was because their behavior made it impossible not to.

Carson’s test was simple: “How did they treat the pages, the assistants, the guys working the cameras?” That told him everything about a person’s character.

Many of Carson’s private opinions have since been validated by public revelations—Crawford’s abuse, Sinatra’s mob ties, Rooney’s misconduct. Hollywood’s studio system protected these stars for decades, allowing them to maintain pristine public images while behaving abominably in private.

Today, a single cell phone video can end a career. In Carson’s era, a star could assault an assistant and, as long as they sold tickets, the story stayed hidden.

The Legacy of Johnny Carson’s Truth

As we look back on Hollywood’s golden age, Carson’s candid assessments remind us that our icons are fallible, complicated humans—sometimes inspiring, sometimes disappointing, and occasionally disturbing behind their crafted personas.

“The camera doesn’t just add 10 pounds,” Carson once said. “It adds a layer of fiction.” His greatest skill wasn’t just interviewing people—it was seeing through that fiction to the truth underneath.

Carson’s blacklist stands as a testament to the importance of character, integrity, and the courage to call out evil—even when it wears a famous face.

Editor’s Note:
This article is based on recollections and accounts from Tonight Show staff and Carson’s confidantes. While some stories have been corroborated by later revelations, others remain part of Hollywood legend. The purpose is to shed light on the complex, often hidden realities behind the glittering façade of celebrity culture.