Ep 24. Hollywood Icons Of The '80s - Don Johnson (9/25/87)

The Johnny Carson Show season 15 episode 24 takes a trip down memory lane with Hollywood Icons of the '80s, starting with the popular television series, Miami Vice. The special guest for this episode is none other than the show's star, Don Johnson, who talks about his journey from a struggling actor to a household name.

Carson begins the show by teasing Johnson about his signature look on the show – the pastel suits, white loafers, and the ubiquitous sockless fashion, which became a fad in the '80s. Johnson chuckles and explains how he came up with the idea, and how his style eventually became a trendsetter.

Carson dives into Johnson's background, and the actor surprises him with his exceptional musical skills. Johnson insists on playing one of his bluesy compositions on Carson's piano, and the audience is enthralled by his performance. Carson praises him and jokes that if acting doesn't work out for him, he can always pursue a career in music.

The conversation moves onto Johnson's early days, where he tells Carson about his childhood and his struggles with dyslexia. Johnson credits his mother's support and encouragement for shaping him into a determined and focused individual. He also opens up about his tumultuous relationship with his father, a farmer who never understood his son's artistic inclinations. Johnson shares how he ran away from home at the age of fifteen to pursue his dream of becoming an actor and how it wasn't an easy path.

Johnson talks about the ups and downs of his acting career, including his breakthrough role in the TV show, Miami Vice. He shares humorous anecdotes from the set, including how the cast and crew dealt with the intense South Florida heat during filming. Carson and Johnson also discuss the show's controversies, including the criticism it faced for its depiction of drugs and violence. Johnson defends the show and says that it was a reflection of the times, and his character, Sonny Crockett, was an attempt to show the human side of law enforcement officers.

Carson and Johnson also chat about Johnson's other roles, including his performance in the movie, "Tin Cup," where he played a golf pro. Johnson confesses that he knew nothing about golf before the movie's production, and had to learn the sport from scratch.

The episode ends with Johnson talking about his future goals and aspirations. He announces that he's formed his own production company and is excited about producing projects that he's passionate about. Carson congratulates him and tells the audience that the best is yet to come for Don Johnson.

Overall, The Johnny Carson Show season 15 episode 24 is an engaging and insightful conversation with a Hollywood icon. Don Johnson's charming personality and unique life story make for an entertaining and inspiring watch. The episode is perfect for anyone who loves '80s nostalgia or is curious about the behind-the-scenes lives of the rich and famous.