Johnny Carson’s Legendary Malibu Mansion Goes Up for Sale at $110 Million

For over three decades, Johnny Carson reigned as the quintessential host of late-night television, profoundly influencing American culture and launching the careers of numerous comedians. In 1984, seeking solace from the limelight, Carson discovered a modernist retreat in Malibu’s exclusive Point Dume neighborhood, a sanctuary that would become synonymous with his legacy. Nearly twenty years after his passing, this iconic estate is back on the market, now listed at a staggering $110 million, showcasing the enduring allure of celebrity homes.

Carson’s Malibu Retreat

The estate’s crown jewel is a striking 7,100-square-foot triangular residence designed by renowned architect Ed Niles. Built in the early 1980s, the three-story home features an impressive atrium adorned with mature trees, topped by a 30-foot wood-and-glass ceiling. The main entertaining area boasts a sunken copper-and-glass fireplace, an ocean-view terrace, and a koi pond just outside. Complementing this space is an elevated dining room with a marble bar adjacent to a modern kitchen equipped with a large island and a butler’s pantry.

The upper floor is entirely dedicated to the primary suite, which includes dual offices, walk-in closets, and a private balcony that overlooks the ocean. The lower level features a screening room, wine cellar, and wet bar, along with direct access to another terrace providing panoramic views of Little Dume Beach.

Luxurious Grounds

Spanning over four acres, the compound is separated by a public road. On the bluff side, one can find the main residence, lush gardens, a saltwater pool with a waterfall grotto, a spa, sauna, cold plunge, and a motor court capable of accommodating up to 40 vehicles. Across the road lies a full-sized championship tennis court and a 2,700-square-foot pavilion—originally a gift from NBC to Carson—which features guest suites, a fireside lounge, a full kitchen, and a sauna-equipped locker room. Additional amenities include a guesthouse, greenhouse, fruit orchard, and aviary.

A History of Big Price Tags

Carson resided at the Malibu estate until his death in 2005. His widow, Alexis, sold the four-parcel property in 2007 to billionaire apparel mogul-turned-film producer Sidney Kimmel and his wife, Caroline, for $46 million—then a record-setting price. A decade later, the Kimmels sought to sell the estate for $81.5 million before ultimately transferring it off-market in 2019 to Riaz Valani and Augusta Tigrett in an all-cash deal valued at $40 million.

Now, the estate has been listed again, this time for $110 million, positioning it among the priciest celebrity residences ever offered in Malibu.

A Celebrity Legacy

Johnny Carson’s influence extended well beyond the realm of late-night television and his luxurious Malibu retreat. Throughout his life, he quietly supported various charities, donating between $1 and $2 million annually, always preferring anonymity over public acknowledgment. The true extent of his philanthropy only came to light posthumously.

In 2010, five years after Carson’s death, an IRS filing revealed that his estate had transferred an astonishing $156 million to the John W. Carson Foundation—$35 million in cash and an additional $121 million in securities, alongside ongoing royalty rights. This revelation surprised even the foundation’s directors, who had anticipated modest charitable contributions from Carson. Almost instantaneously, the organization became one of the best-funded celebrity-driven charities in the United States.

Today, the foundation maintains assets exceeding $100 million, distributing $15 to $16 million yearly to support various causes, including education, healthcare, the arts, environmental conservation, and programs for children and underserved communities in Los Angeles and Nebraska. This final act of generosity encapsulated Carson’s essence: understated, unexpected, and delivered with impeccable timing.