# Challenge! Who is the man sitting with all the stars on Johnny Carson? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 30, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321 "2014-04-30T00:42:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/241 "2014-05-01T23:23:51Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I definitely recognize that actor. It’s not Dick Cavett. I actually watched the tonight show back in the day, and would recognize him instantly. > > Here’s an outside possibility: [Lloyd Bridges](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Lloyd_Bridges_1966.jpg). [Merged with Lloyd Bridges, circa 1975.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/9587066@N08/14061676506/) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/242 "2014-05-01T23:33:22Z")
I don’t think this is a hoax. It looks completely authentic to me. Following the ‘after awards ceremony’ theme, The following people in that group were nominated for a golden globe in 1971: Karen Valentine Danny Thomas Marlo Thomas Carol Burnett Robert Young James Brolin So, all the people in that photo were nominated for a Golden Globe in 1971 except for Glenn Campbell. Another possibility is that these people are the cast members of shows nominated for awards. Robert Young and James Brolin both starred in Marcus Welby MD, and the others may have worked together as well. So my guess is this photo is some after-event picture dating from between 1972 and 1976, and probably on the earlier end of that range judging by the hairstyles and clothes. But that’s definitely Carson’s set that started in 1972 and ended in 1976. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/243 "2014-05-01T23:34:37Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > [Here is a left profile shot](https://www.google.com/search?q=peter+mark+richman&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=uI1gU8vuE-rU2AXU1oG4CQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1166&bih=857#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=WhiGvWv55KhS9M%253A%3BzghbdVbkDKrOMM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-WqRLFuCu4AA%252FUETst5OBY9I%252FAAAAAAAAEf4%252FjbDybgx8s7w%252Fs400%252FPDVD_542.PNG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcommonsensemoviereviews.blogspot.com%252F2012%252F09%252Fagent-for-harm-1966.html%3B400%3B300) of Peter Mark Richman…very very close. Yeah I think thats him, Same hair, same ears, same nose. > > [one more]([http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2Fs%2FNTk5WDc3Ng%253D%253D%2F%2524(KGrHqJ%2C!g4E6ZKEV7CDBOvS%252BDc%2CzQ~~60\_35.JPG&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FPeter-Mark-Richman-Threes-Company-Rev-Snow-Autographed-Signed-8x10-Photo-COA-%2F360423510309&h=231&w=300&tbnid=HV-bbFEjGEbOVM%3A&zoom=1&docid=osf50gviVeUEEM&ei=QQdiU\_bbKOnEyQGc2IHoBw&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CEsQMyhDMEM4yAE&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=889&page=7&start=234&ndsp=38)](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2Fs%2FNTk5WDc3Ng%253D%253D%2F%2524(KGrHqJ%2C!g4E6ZKEV7CDBOvS%252BDc%2CzQ~~60_35.JPG&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FPeter-Mark-Richman-Threes-Company-Rev-Snow-Autographed-Signed-8x10-Photo-COA-%2F360423510309&h=231&w=300&tbnid=HV-bbFEjGEbOVM%3A&zoom=1&docid=osf50gviVeUEEM&ei=QQdiU_bbKOnEyQGc2IHoBw&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CEsQMyhDMEM4yAE&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=889&page=7&start=234&ndsp=38)) > [and another](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.petermarkrichman.com%2Fimages%2Fjune-allyson-show.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.petermarkrichman.com%2Fonlinestore%2Fcelebrity-action-shot38.html&h=368&w=463&tbnid=gAd-I8uRi_u_TM%3A&zoom=1&docid=BtgF6eJKDn_uBM&itg=1&ei=QQdiU_bbKOnEyQGc2IHoBw&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CGIQMyhaMFo4yAE&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=583&page=8&start=272&ndsp=39) [Peter Mark Richman merge.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/9587066@N08/14084826115/) ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/244 "2014-05-01T23:36:10Z")
If it hasn’t been pointed out upstream, the date from the Hutchinson News in Kansas is for 7 November 1970, which was a Saturday. If the posting is accurate that makes it “The Best of Carson” or “The Weekend Tonight Show” and means that the original air date is somewhat earlier than November 1970. But the set design is from 5/1975 onward because it’s the Burbank set, so I don’t think the Hutchinson listing is relevant. On the other hand, everyone, except Glen Campbell, is dressed in Black Tie or Evening Gown, which is to say award show ceremony style. And everyone, except Glen Campbell, was nominated or won at the 1970 Emmy awards. Now people appearing on the Tonight Show in those days dressed nicely but _everyone_ in Black Tie just for an appearance on The Tonight Show? No way, unless they were all on their way home from the awards ceremony. I guess what I’m trying to say, and it sounds like it on preview, is that it’s a paste up. Also I can’t imagine guests set up on stools behind the couch and still being well-lit. That’s just a guess though. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/245 "2014-05-01T23:38:58Z")
Since the [fanpop posting](http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/classic-television-revisited/images/21373838/title/marlo-thomas) of this picture says “clippings, magazine” and it might have something to do with the Photoplay awards, does anyone here have access to a library that might have 1970 and 1971 editions of Photoplay magazine (probably the US edition)? Maybe flipping through those magazines (or the microfiche) might locate the original source of the picture? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/246 "2014-05-01T23:43:16Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > OK, this is just for fun, and I don’t really believe it, but maybe it’s a young [Geoffrey Palmer](https://www.google.com/search?q=geoffrey+palmer+photos&biw=1920&bih=1075&tbm=isch&imgil=43YXZkAeqrsftM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcSX9xHVaZ7lPwg05fgpsl0P9KBRcKWoy198A2wx_R7VbkhHYsOC%253B320%253B240%253Bai4bH-LxFFCGkM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.aveleyman.com%25252FActorCredit.aspx%25253FActorID%2525253D13359&source=iu&usg=__H7yGemwkFpJs7zSna1nL0PBxhsQ%3D&sa=X&ei=CMRiU8uFO8_xoASM0ICIDw&ved=0CEIQ9QEwDQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=43YXZkAeqrsftM%253A%3Bai4bH-LxFFCGkM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.wearysloth.com%252FGallery%252FActorsP%252Ftve13359-19760915-111.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.aveleyman.com%252FActorCredit.aspx%253FActorID%253D13359%3B320%3B240). He was unknown in the US at the time, but he was doing a lot of British TV. > You’re right, I don’t believe it either. “Looks like Geoffrey Palmer, but not quite” was my first thought on seeing the photo. There’s the same longish face, impressive nose, chin, and laugh lines, and sort-of-jowliness. (I thought also of Scottish actor James Donald, perhaps best known for _The Bridge on the River Kwai_.) If this _were_ a genuine photo, then the Mystery Man would have to be someone the others sitting there know and are comfortable with (from the body language displayed). So, probably not an actor who at that time was relatively unknown outside the UK. Of course if it’s NOT a genuine photo, then anything goes…Mystery Man could be someone not in show business at all (with the head 'shopped onto that tuxedo-clad body). (For example, _this_ guy: [http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web04/2012/10/11/13/enhanced-buzz-18234-1349975974-14.jpg](http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web04/2012/10/11/13/enhanced-buzz-18234-1349975974-14.jpg) YES THE WHOLE THING IS PART OF THE “STOP-HILLARY” PLOT!!!1!!! ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/247 "2014-05-01T23:49:23Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Except that he is also in a tux and Glen Campbell is not. Good point. So maybe Campbell was the guest and moved over to the couch. Campbell was a perennial guest (and guest host) back then. Another clue to the mystery guest is that he’s the one seated by Johnny, so you’d think he’d be some kind of representative for them. A director maybe, or a star of some show that won, or something like that. I just did a search for all the appearances of Glenn Campbell I could find, and found one where he was on with [Fernando Lamas](http://images.tvrage.com/people/3/8499.jpg) who looks fairly close. He was also on “The Mod Squad”, which was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1971 and 1972. I do know that all the people in that photo were staples of episodic TV in the first half of the 1970’s. So when else would you have a bunch of TV stars in tuxes? The Emmy awards, maybe. Or some other awards show. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/248 "2014-05-01T23:51:05Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Peter Mark Richman merge.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/9587066@N08/14084826115/) But why would Peter Mark Richman have been part of that group? Or if the idea is that he was the scheduled guest and the others all came in unexpectedly----_then why would he have been the scheduled guest_? Look at the guest lists for that show from the early seventies. When was someone whose work was at the ‘small character roles’ level true of Richman, ever the Scheduled Guest on Carson’s Tonight Show (and in a tuxedo, yet)? (Not to denigrate the graphics work you’re doing, which I find interesting.) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/249 "2014-05-01T23:51:53Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > . But the set design is from 5/1975 onward because it’s the Burbank set, so I don’t think the Hutchinson listing is relevant. The move to Burbank happened in May of 1972, and this is the first set they had. It lasted until late 1976 or early 1977. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/250 "2014-05-02T00:03:12Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The move to Burbank happened in May of 1972, and this is the first set they had. It lasted until late 1976 or early 1977. Yep. Right after my post (doesn’t it always happen that way) I did the extra research and you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/251 "2014-05-02T00:08:49Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I just did a search for all the appearances of Glenn Campbell I could find, and found one where he was on with [Fernando Lamas](http://images.tvrage.com/people/3/8499.jpg) who looks fairly close. He was also on “The Mod Squad”, which was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1971 and 1972. The only left profiles I’m able to find are from the '50s but you could be on to something. A receding hairline by the '70s would result in the same dark spots on the temples. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/252 "2014-05-02T00:10:55Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > [Here is the picture.](https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10257806_10203391221998919_3316284087444893607_n.jpg) Also, why does the green shag carpet come up the side of the couch (there between Robert Young and Mystery Man)? Are there other existing photos that show the carpet coming up that way? (I don’t recall this being mentioned yet in the thread, but if I missed someone else questioning it…my apologies.) ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/253 "2014-05-02T00:11:20Z")
I vote that the mystery man was an author that Carson was interviewing about his new book who remained seated in the chair when the surprise contingent from an award show dropped by. Edited to say: On second thought, an author probably wouldn’t be wearing a tux for his appearance. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/254 "2014-05-02T00:14:22Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > I vote that the mystery man was an author that Carson was interviewing about his new book who remained seated in the chair when the surprise contingent from an award show dropped by. But why would he have been in a tuxedo? (From the evidence of existing footage and photos of the Johnny Carson era, that wouldn’t have been common attire for appearances on the show.) ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/255 "2014-05-02T00:23:04Z")
And although all it shows it that it’s not an authentic picture the carpet didn’t come up the couch that way (from YouTube videos). And any award show would have been going on pretty much exactly when the Tonight Show was being taped. So what were all left with is: Who **is** that guy? ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/256 "2014-05-02T00:31:56Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Also, why does the green shag carpet come up the side of the couch (there between Robert Young and Mystery Man)? > > Are there other existing photos that show the carpet coming up that way? (I don’t recall this being mentioned yet in the thread, but if I missed someone else questioning it…my apologies.) Since this thread started I’ve seen many shots of that set and the MM one is the only one with the carpet covering the corner and side of the couch. I’ve also noticed that Marlo doesn’t seem to match the rest of the photo. I think tuxes were worn for anniversary shows as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/257 "2014-05-02T00:33:03Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > And although all it shows it that it’s not an authentic picture the carpet didn’t come up the couch that way (from YouTube videos). And any award show would have been going on pretty much exactly when the Tonight Show was being taped. > > So what were all left with is: Who **is** that guy? If it _is_ somebody’s Uncle Louie, we’ll never find out. :sobbing smiley: ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/258 "2014-05-02T00:33:06Z")
Just remembered that I have a bunch of Johnny’s episodes on DVD, among them is Glen Campbell & Fernando Lamas in 1975. Fernando is damn close. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/259 "2014-05-02T00:34:08Z")
Googling David Frost 1970 brings up a lot of pictures that resemble this guy. Watching youtubes of him interviewing Tennessee Williams and Joan Crawford that year make me believe that from the right angle it could be him. Here’s an interesting picture: [http://www.transdiffusion.org/pmc/yearbooks/itagallery/1971.htm](http://www.transdiffusion.org/pmc/yearbooks/itagallery/1971.htm) But probably not… [URL=“[http://www.transdiffusion.org/pmc/yearbooks/itagallery/1971.htm](http://www.transdiffusion.org/pmc/yearbooks/itagallery/1971.htm)”] ---
**Author:** ![cococ173](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@cococ173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cococ173)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/260 "2014-05-02T00:46:19Z")
I am approaching this from a different angle. Tomorrow I am calling Hollywood Reporter to find out who would have access to archival photos and then I am emailing the pic to whoever that is. I may do the same for Variety, et al. I am also going to try to track down Willow2US. A friend of mine is/was certain the man is Mel Ferrar. He is friends with Ferrar’s daughter. I think he is wrong. In context, he does not ‘fit’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=14)