My Friend Johnny: The Last 20 Years of a Beautiful Life with Johnny Carson and Friends

For two decades, Howard Smith shared an extraordinary friendship with Johnny Carson-not as the legendary Tonight Show host, but simply as John. A neighbor turned close companion, Howard entered John's private world far from the spotlight.

In My Friend Johnny, Smith paints an intimate portrait of the man behind the iconic desk: funny, kind, and generous, yet deeply complex. From tennis matches to quiet moments, their bond lasted until John's passing.

Set against Malibu's elite circles, Smith's journey includes personal and revealing accounts with icons like 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), and seven US presidents. More than a memoir, this book celebrates true friendship, serendipity, the magic of knowing someone beyond their fame, and the five traits that link the most successful.

With a foreword by Jay Leno, this book also includes 20 pages of never-before-seen candid photos of celebrities, capturing unforgettable moments from Smith's extraordinary life journey.

HOWARD SMITH has led a "Forrest Gump" life filled with fascinating celebrities, unexpected adventures, and extraordinary opportunities. He achieved great success leading the world's largest software company for a decade until a heart attack, and L.A. Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda urged him to change course, leading him to retire in his forties and focus on truly living. He moved to Malibu and discovered he was neighbors with Johnny Carson, who became a dear friend and changed his life's trajectory. Howard's remarkable journey is one of fate, perseverance, and bold choices. Above all, he thanks God for his blessings: his wife of forty-eight years, Jane; his son, Scott; his grandson, Damian; and his loyal dog, Addie, who make every day a gift.