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Johnny Carson Estate Gives $156M to Charity

Money will be distributed by his foundation

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2010 5:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – Johnny Carson has rewritten the book on celebrity philanthropy. The late entertainer's charitable foundation has received $156 million from a trust that Carson set up years before his death in 2005, reports the Smoking Gun. The bequest means that Carson's foundation is now by far the biggest of Hollywood charities.

The trust previously made regular donations to the foundation, but usually in increments of $1 million and $2 million. The money goes to various organizations, including the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the city's free clinic, and Planned Parenthood. Carson was extremely private about his personal finances, so it's unclear how big a percentage $156 million represents.

Johnny Carson laughs during the final taping of the Tonight Show in Burbank, Ca., in this  May 22, 1992, file photo.
Johnny Carson laughs during the final taping of the "Tonight Show" in Burbank, Ca., in this May 22, 1992, file photo.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac,File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
bewilderbeast1
Aug 11, 2010 1:46 AM CDT
Let's all do this. Amount doesn't matter. Just bequeath something to your city's free clinic. Once-off. I die, someone benefits.
Kant
Aug 10, 2010 11:04 PM CDT
This is more redistribution of wealth I can support.
Circusdog
Aug 10, 2010 6:10 PM CDT
Carnak:The answer is Mt. Baldy Ed: Mt. Baldy? Carnak: What Yul Brenner said on his wedding night.
 

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