In a surprising turn of events, legendary actor John Wayne made a spontaneous appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The audience erupted in applause as the beloved star walked onto the stage, catching host Johnny Carson completely off guard.
Apparently, Wayne had been in the building and decided to swing by the set to join in on the fun. Carson expressed his gratitude for the unexpected visit, remarking how nice it was of Wayne to drop in.
The conversation quickly turned to an article that Wayne had read in the Wall Street Journal about Carson. The article, which Wayne described as well-deserved and beautifully done, had sung praises of The Tonight Show.
Carson, always quick with his sharp wit, joked that Wayne was now considered a gentleman because of the kind words in the article. The host and actor then engaged in an easy banter, discussing their busy lives and upcoming plans.
Wayne revealed that he was heading to Carson City, Nevada the next day and jokingly mentioned that people often asked if he was related to the famous Indian Scout Kit Carson. He then recalled an article he read about Carson’s recent comments on giving up smoking due to tobacco allergies.
Carson playfully teased Wayne about his decision to quit smoking and remarked that even without cigarettes, coffee was still a must. The two shared a laugh, with Carson jokingly mimicking a commercial for a coffee brand that Wayne enjoyed.
As the conversation continued, Wayne mentioned an upcoming special titled “Swing Out Swing Out Sweet Land,” in which he was the star. The special had aired a couple of years ago and was set to be aired again for the bicentennial. Carson remembered fellow comedian Jack Benny’s appearance on the show and praised the overall success and positive reviews it received.
Carson then steered the conversation towards Wayne’s acting career, addressing rumors that the actor would retire from making motion pictures. Wayne clarified that he was actually leaving the next morning to shoot a new movie titled “The Shootist,” where he played a gunfighter. He humorously shared that in the old days, they referred to gunfighters as “shootists.”
Carson acknowledged that portraying legendary figures from the Wild West, like Wyatt Earp, often glorified them as great American heroes. Wayne agreed but noted that not all of them were virtuous characters, explaining that these men had to do whatever it took to survive and protect themselves.
The conversation took a nostalgic turn as the two reminisced about Wayne’s character being killed in a previous film called “The Cowboys.” They playfully discussed the action sequence and how Wayne’s character put up a fight before ultimately meeting his demise.
As the interview came to an end, Carson expressed his delight in Wayne’s surprise visit and thanked him for the kind words in the article. With warm wishes for the new year, they bid each other farewell, promising to catch up soon.
The impromptu encounter between John Wayne and Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was truly a memorable and delightful moment. It showcased the genuine camaraderie and lighthearted banter between two icons of the entertainment industry.
Originally aired on January 8, 1976
