Johnny Carson was one of television’s most successful hosts and comedians, best remembered for his three-decade run on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson from 1962 to 1992. Often referred to as the ‘King of Late Night,’ he won six Primetime Emmys and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Away from the cameras, Carson was married four times. He passed away on January 23, 2005, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The cause of death was respiratory failure due to emphysema. At the time, he was married to his fourth wife, Alexis Maas.
In July 2025, his third wife, Joanna Carson, also passed away.
Joanna—born Joanne Copeland—was a model and television host. She and Johnny married in 1962, the same year The Tonight Show debuted under his name. They divorced a decade later, in 1972.
Here’s everything to know about Johnny Carson’s wives — beginning with his first, Jody Wolcott.
First Wife: Jody Wolcott
Carson married his college sweetheart, Jody Wolcott, on October 3, 1949, in North Platte, Nebraska. They met while attending the University of Nebraska, where Jody was a member of the Phi Beta Phi sorority.
Their marriage was rocky from the start, marred by infidelities on both sides. After 14 years together, the couple finalized their divorce in 1963, shortly after Carson took over as host of The Tonight Show, and his public profile skyrocketed.
During their time together, Johnny and his ex-spouse, Jody, had three sons: Christopher (born 1950), Kim Arthur “Ricky” (1951–1991), and Barry William “Cory” (born 1953).
Tragedy struck the family when their middle son, Ricky, died in a car crash in California on June 24, 1991, at just 39 years old. More recently, Christopher also passed away in early 2025 at the age of 74.
His Second Spouse, Joanne Copeland, Also Passed Away
The TV icon married his 2nd wife, Joanne Copeland, on August 17, 1963, shortly after finalizing his divorce from Jody Wolcott.
The two had first met in 1960 when Joanne was working as a stewardess for Pan American World Airways. At the time, she was also building a career in television and had her doubts about whether a relationship with Carson could truly work.
Their marriage lasted nearly a decade before ending in divorce in 1972. The split was drawn out, and Joanne was awarded a divorce settlement that included $6,000 per month in alimony payments she continued to receive until Carson’s death in 2005.
After the divorce, Joanne moved forward with her own career. She hosted the syndicated talk show Joanne Carson’s V.I.P.’s, then went on to pursue higher education, earning a master’s degree in psychology and later a doctorate in nutritional biochemistry and physiology.
In her later years, she worked as a holistic therapist and lived a quieter life. She died in California on May 8, 2015, at the age of 83.
Joanna Holland
Carson met Joanna Holland in 1971 at the 21 Club in New York City. Just a year later, on September 30, 1972—the same day as The Tonight Show’s 10th-anniversary celebration—Carson surprised everyone by announcing that he and Joanna had secretly married earlier that afternoon. The news stunned friends and colleagues, especially as his divorce from second-better half Joanne Copeland had only recently been finalized.
Joanna was a former model and brought a more private presence to Carson’s life during their 11-year marriage.
However, on March 8, 1983, she filed for divorce. The case played out over two years, ultimately ending in 1985. Joanna was awarded $20 million in cash and property—an amount that would be worth over $60 million in 2025.
She largely stayed out of the public eye in the years following the divorce. Joanna died in July 2025, as announced by the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. She was preceded in death by her son, who passed away in 1994.
Fourth Wife: Alexis Maas
Johnny married Alexis Maas on June 20, 1987, in a private ceremony at his Malibu beach house. The service was officiated by Superior Court Judge William P. and attended by close friends and family. Carson’s brother, Dick, served as best man.
Alexis was 35 at the time, while Johnny was 61—a significant age gap that drew media attention. Despite the early headlines, the couple went on to share a quiet and lasting marriage that continued until Carson’s death in 2005.
According to reports, Johnny first met Alexis on the beach in Malibu. Their connection grew steadily, and following the wedding, they honeymooned across several Mediterranean countries. It’s been claimed that Carson spent over $6.5 million on the trip. Later in life, he even began learning Swahili, reportedly in preparation for their travels to Africa.
The couple remained based in California and stayed together until Carson’s passing from emphysema in 2005 at the age of 79.
