Hollywood, CA — Netflix Press Release, May 3, 2025
In a major new addition to its lineup of original documentaries, Netflix has officially released “Here’s Johnny: The Legend of Late Night”, a compelling and intimate look into the life and legacy of iconic television host Johnny Carson. The long-awaited project, now streaming globally, takes viewers behind the curtain of The Tonight Show era that helped define American late-night entertainment for over three decades.
The two-hour documentary, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Sarah Linden, combines rare archival footage, never-before-seen backstage moments, and exclusive interviews with family, close friends, and former colleagues. It paints a multidimensional portrait of Carson—from his cool, commanding presence behind the desk to the intensely private man away from the cameras.
Narrated by actor and comedian Steve Martin, Here’s Johnny also features commentary from high-profile guests including Jay Leno, David Letterman, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jimmy Fallon, each reflecting on how Carson’s influence shaped the talk show landscape and elevated late-night into a cultural mainstay.
“He was the master,” Leno says in the film. “No one controlled a moment better than Johnny.”
The documentary doesn’t shy away from Carson’s personal complexities either. It explores the pressures of fame, his guarded personal life, and the quiet generosity he extended to causes and colleagues. Longtime friends discuss his struggles with shyness and perfectionism, offering a rare glimpse into the man who, for years, made millions laugh but rarely revealed himself fully.
Netflix reportedly spent over two years working with the Carson estate to gain access to original tapes and family archives. The result is a visually rich and emotionally resonant tribute to a man whose legacy endures in every punchline and opening monologue on modern late-night television.
“Here’s Johnny: The Legend of Late Night” is now available for streaming in over 190 countries.
