# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/161 "2014-05-01T08:11:57Z")
She’s also on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MarloThomas) (her official page) but I’m way past bed. I may try her on Twitter or Facebook tomorrow if no one else has but I’m out for now. ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/162 "2014-05-01T08:20:22Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Marlo Thomas is [on Twitter](https://twitter.com/MarloThomas). Has anyone asked her? Yes. Post #70. No reply so far. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/163 "2014-05-01T08:27:13Z")
I wonder if the Mystery Man ever lost a wallet sealed up in a wall. ---
**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, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/164 "2014-05-01T08:28:15Z")
Here’s another picture of [Ted Bessel](http://www.nndb.com/people/820/000090550/). I remember him from back in the day, and I didn’t think it was him either. But after looking at the picture above which is shot from a similar angle… maybe. Look at the nose. It’s very close. He’s kind of got his lips pulled in in the shot, which could make him look a bit different. He’s also got the same hairstyle and about the same hairline. Same chin and eyebrows, too. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/165 "2014-05-01T08:33:18Z")
[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) ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/166 "2014-05-01T08:43:38Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Here’s another picture of [Ted Bessel](http://www.nndb.com/people/820/000090550/). > > I remember him from back in the day, and I didn’t think it was him either. But after looking at the picture above which is shot from a similar angle… maybe. Look at the nose. It’s very close. He’s kind of got his lips pulled in in the shot, which could make him look a bit different. > > He’s also got the same hairstyle and about the same hairline. Same chin and eyebrows, too. Drat, I just had to check back in and now I’m off searching for info on Bessell. Don’t think it’s him though. Bessell was born in 1935, which would have made him only 35 in 1970 and the mystery man looks older than that to me. Here’s a [head shot](http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-TED-BESSELL-actor-headshot-Press-Photo-42-/380842261262) of Bissell in 1970. ETA: I think his hair is thicker and wirier than the mystery man’s also. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/167 "2014-05-01T08:44:28Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Here’s another picture of [Ted Bessel](http://www.nndb.com/people/820/000090550/). > > I remember him from back in the day, and I didn’t think it was him either. But after looking at the picture above which is shot from a similar angle… maybe. Look at the nose. It’s very close. He’s kind of got his lips pulled in in the shot, which could make him look a bit different. > > He’s also got the same hairstyle and about the same hairline. Same chin and eyebrows, too. The nose is not close, it’s very different. As is the chin. Ted Bessel was 35 in 1970, while Mystery Man appears to be mid-40s at least, maybe older. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/168 "2014-05-01T09:01:18Z")
and in retrospect I am 90% sure I am wrong. While they do have a strong resemblance Mystery man has bigger ears and a different forehead shape. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/169 "2014-05-01T09:07:18Z")
I don’t know if this means anything, but [this image of Jim Henson](http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/File:Hensonkerm_ttswjc.jpg) on the Tonight Show has the same desk and set, but it’s from **1974**. Presumably the set was the same for multiple years, but it may not necessarily be from as far back as 1970 after all. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/170 "2014-05-01T09:45:29Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I’m starting to think Police Line-Ups and facial composite sketches are completely useless if your guesses are anything to go by. _Defence attorney: Mr Johnson, you picked the defendant out in a police line-up, is that correct? Johnson: Yes sir. Defence: I see. May I ask, have you ever frequented an internet message board known as the “Straight Dope”? Johnson: Why… yes I have! Defence: And did you happen to participate in a thread about an unidentified guest on the Johnny Carson show? Johnson: The David Frost one? Defence: No further questions, your honor._ ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/171 "2014-05-01T11:47:22Z")
I am convinced it is Peter Mark Richman. I went to his website and got an email address from their “Contact Us” page. I sent them a link to the photo and to this thread & asked for their help. If I get a reply, I’ll post it here. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/172 "2014-05-01T11:57:33Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > [http://www.radiodiscussions.com/showthread.php?615072-Retro-Eastern-Virginia-Wednesday-November-11-1970](http://www.radiodiscussions.com/showthread.php?615072-Retro-Eastern-Virginia-Wednesday-November-11-1970) > > According this link guests that night were: > > Mystery man doesn’t look like John Wayne, so maybe it’s Bette Davis as a cross dresser. Nah, he doesn’t have Bette Davis’s eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Clothilde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Clothilde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothilde)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/173 "2014-05-01T12:02:46Z")
To me, MM looks a little bit like Charles Grodin. But I’m almost certain it’s not him. Seriously, though, look at Carol Burnett’s hair. Her hair color and style changed pretty often throughout her career. There’s a magazine cover from 1972 that looks a lot like this style and color. There’s another magazine cover from 1971 that looks totally different, more old fashioned style. And in 1969 she had that cute little pixie cut. By 1974 she had more of a Toni Tennille style. So maybe we can use Carol Burnett’s hair to narrow down better the actual year of the photo. “Date the photo by Carol Burnett’s hair.” Sounds like a new game, doesn’t it. And more fun than that 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon thing! 😃 Has anyone tried to contact Carol Burnett to ask her? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/174 "2014-05-01T12:38:12Z")
The fact that all the men _except Glen Campbell_ are wearing tuxes, and that having that many guests on one night was not very common, and that Glen Campbell was a guest on [April 16, 1970](http://www.tv.com/shows/the-tonight-show-starring-johnny-carson/700416-171635/cast/) (along with Dr. Paul Ehrlich and Marcel Marceau) makes me think that the show date was that with the others all coming as surprise drop ins from some other event (hence why never all listed as guests on the same day). The Emmys were not until June … a reheasal of something? A separate award dinner of sorts? I still think that could be Ehrlich and can’t find a picture of Marcel Marceau without make-up from that era (but darker curlier hair in any case) … but that does not explain Mystery man also wearing a tux. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/175 "2014-05-01T12:48:00Z")
ON Facebook someone suggested [Charles Aznavour](https://www.google.com/search?q=charles+Aznavour&num=50&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=M0JiU-OlJ82hyASwi4CACQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1400&bih=926). I don’t think it’s right, but it’s understandable, and it’s a fresh name! ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/176 "2014-05-01T12:51:26Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Again, you are guessing based on seated photographs, on two different chairs, of two different men, who may have legs of different lengths. You have no idea what height the man on the right is. If you’re correct, it’s by chance. Perhaps you are unable to to determine the height of seated people by looking at them either in person or in a photo. While it’s not a very useful talent, it is a talent that I have. Since you don’t know me personally and we’ve never met, if you were correct about your statements, then that’s the only thing that is a matter of chance on here. Again…I am leaning towards the photo being a fake. The person in the photo doesn’t seem to match up with the others in it, the assembled guests don’t have a single coordinated appearance on the Tonight Show listed anywhere on the Internet (and a publicity hound like Danny Thomas would have made certain that his presence was acknowledged) and there should be more than a single photo of the event available. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/177 "2014-05-01T12:59:17Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > ON Facebook someone suggested [Charles Aznavour](https://www.google.com/search?q=charles+Aznavour&num=50&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=M0JiU-OlJ82hyASwi4CACQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1400&bih=926). I don’t think it’s right, but it’s understandable, and it’s a fresh name! According to IMDb there are no appearance by Aznavour with the assembled guests: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) Himself / Himself - Guest [- Episode dated 3 April 1974 (1974) … Himself - Episode dated 2 April 1974 (1974) … Himself - Episode dated 2 November 1972 (1972) … Himself - Episode dated 29 May 1972 (1972) … Himself - Episode dated 25 October 1971 (1971) … Himself - Episode dated 15 October 1970 (1970) … Himself - Episode dated 4 March 1966 (1966) … Himself - Episode dated 2 April 1964 (1964) … Himself - Guest]([Charles Aznavour - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002198/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/178 "2014-05-01T13:06:08Z")
I am trying to imagine the circumstances that would lead someone to have tested and validated their ability to determine the height of people seating in different chairs in different positions from single group photos. My imagination fails. But I read it on the internet so it must be true! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/179 "2014-05-01T13:06:20Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > The fact that all the men _except Glen Campbell_ are wearing tuxes, and that having that many guests on one night was not very common, and that Glen Campbell was a guest on [April 16, 1970](http://www.tv.com/shows/the-tonight-show-starring-johnny-carson/700416-171635/cast/) (along with Dr. Paul Ehrlich and Marcel Marceau) … Say … what does Marcel Marceau look like without his makeup? ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321/180 "2014-05-01T13:13:22Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > I am trying to imagine the circumstances that would lead someone to have tested and validated their ability to determine the height of people seating in different chairs in different positions from single group photos. > > My imagination fails. > > But I read it on the internet so it must be true! 🙂 Your sarcasm fails alongside your imagination. That’s a two-fer. Bad day for you… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-who-is-the-man-sitting-with-all-the-stars-on-johnny-carson/687321.md?page=10)