Marlon Brando and Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Heated ‘Tonight Show’ Clash Resurfaces in New Johnny Carson Book
A legendary on-air clash between Marlon Brando and Zsa Zsa Gabor is back in the spotlight thanks to the new book Love Johnny Carson, written by longtime Carson superfan Mark Malkoff. The book revisits some of the most unforgettable moments from Johnny Carson’s storied tenure on NBC’s The Tonight Show, including a fiery exchange in 1963 that stunned audiences and has since become talk-show lore.
The Night Brando Walked Onstage Drunk
According to Malkoff, the confrontation unfolded when The Tonight Show was taping in Burbank, California. Brando — already one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors — walked out visibly drunk and took a seat next to Gabor, who had appeared earlier to promote her new face cream.
At first, the conversation seemed harmless enough, with Brando calling Gabor “fascinating and charming.” But the tone quickly soured as she repeatedly interrupted him, throwing the actor off balance and setting the stage for a tense verbal showdown.
A Weak Joke and a Sharp Retort
The real shift came after Brando delivered a knock-knock joke that received polite applause from the audience. Gabor immediately jabbed, “Only for Marlon Brando would they applaud for that.”
From there, tensions escalated. Gabor steered the conversation back toward plugging her beauty line, prompting an irritated Brando to fire back: “Are we going to have to sit here all night and listen to your crappy plugs?”
What followed, Malkoff writes, was a volley of insults that ended with Gabor storming off the set, while a smirking Brando remained seated — amused or indifferent, depending on how one reads the moment.
Revisiting an Icon’s Legacy
Brando’s off-camera volatility often matched his extraordinary on-camera power. Widely regarded as one of the greatest screen actors of all time, he earned eight Oscar nominations and won twice — for On the Waterfront (1955) and The Godfather (1973).
Though he continued to act into the early 2000s, his career slowed considerably. His final film appearance came in The Score (2001). Brando died in 2004 at age 80 from respiratory failure related to pulmonary fibrosis and congestive heart failure.
Hollywood Still Reveres Him
Malkoff’s book also includes reflections from those who worked alongside Brando. Actor Jack Nicholson famously told Rolling Stone after Brando’s death:
“To me, Marlon Brando was the greatest ever. His impact in the movies was bigger than anybody else’s — ever.”
Nicholson added that Brando’s influence would endure regardless of whether he approved: “He’ll be there forever — that’s all there is to it.”
As Love Johnny Carson brings renewed attention to one of late-night television’s most chaotic moments, it also underscores the enduring mystique of Brando — a man whose brilliance, unpredictability, and cultural impact remain unmatched. For more entertainment deep-dives, celebrity news, and media retrospectives, keep following InvestRecords.com for fresh updates every day.
