Art Carney Is Hard To Control | Carson Tonight Show

[@johncopeland3826]

Jackie Gleason called Mr Art Carney the finest feed man in showbiz .....EVER ! That in my book is the highest praise given from one person to another especially coming from a man Orson Welles called ' The Great One ! ' When Gleason and Carney created Kramden and Norton , they set the bar for brilliance in acting so high ,I don't believe personally that it ever has been reached since ! Magical memories ..all done live ,every single time .

[@anonymous203020]

He was wounded in battle of Normandy. Won an academy award for best actor. And played piano like a pro. That’s why they call them the greatest generation.

[@Ron-d2s]

Scotty from Star Trek left a finger on Juno beach.

[@BlueSky-eb7ru]

and just like Vets of WW2 , Art didn't dwell on his war wound would have loved to listen to him talk about how he got his war wound etc. Because of my military service I was able to talk to WW1 WW2 Vets about their experiences in Europe etc. Even then they talked in general terms , and did not dwell on the suffering they endured.

[@gstockwell5315]

I loved Art Carney! Amazing human! Soooo talented. So kind. Respectfully submitted

[@dougmilesmedia]

Art Carney was one of the most talented and yet underrated actors/comedians in the business. He could do it all.

[@chalkbunt81]

Agreed. But don't forget, he was also a very good musician.

[@joebiggs4387]

True. Even though he did win an Oscar. It still seemed as though he could never shake the character of Ed Norton.

[@KenBye-mh7sr]

8​@@chalkbunt812:07

[@largemarge1603]

@doug, Who 'underrated' Art Carney?

[@paulhunt4690]

He did

[@karaDee2363]

Art Carney was a man of many talents, another one of the great ones from the greatest generation

[@monamendoza6781]

The good old days when we didn’t have to worry about anything. This most amazing tv show all time with Johnny Carson Art Carney. The laughers would make me and others laugh so hard that we started to cry with tears coming down our cheeks. And also their were sad times on the show when these amazing actors and actress went through sad and painful difficult times they are just like anyone else. Being famous or not. If I had one wish I would bring back this amazing tv show. God bless you both Johnny and Art always and forever.

[@charlesdiluzio2741]

Art Carney is an American treasure, a humble war hero and talented actor/comedian. Anyone else going on Carson in PJ'S , slippers and bath robe 😂😂❤

[@ajn465]

Art really could play some lovely piano. And it’s good to see he no longer needed to play Suwannee River before every song…

[@surfguy87]

I noticed he covered 'Bread - If' on two seperate appearances on Johnny Carson. I prefer the other version he played, but you're right, his playing style was really lovely to hear.

[@garthsnidpick4151]

yeh i seen that one on the honeymooners it is funny

[@shermandropkin5786]

Also his stalling with the hands schtick.

[@johnschaefer2238]

Well just like a pitcher has to warm up before facing the first batter Art probably warmed up with Swany River before coming out. Great tune by the talented songwriter Ed Norton!

[@hyacinthlynch843]

"The $99,000 Answer" is my favorite Honeymooners episode. 👍

[@charlotteruse158]

I have a deep appreciation for people who can play the piano well and I fear it is becoming obsolete. I think it's the foundation for every good musician. Such a beautiful thing. For as great as he was, Art Carney was very humble.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Art was a fine actor. I encourage anyone to look up the Twilight Zone episode called The Night of the Meek. It will really show you how good he could act in a serious role.

[@JACK-wh6jl]

RIGHT-ON !!🎯🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@grohr7697]

Wasn't he in a movie directed by Ron Howard? - can't remember th3 name. Cocoon?

[@OrionsMako]

It's wild how much fine acting was done on The Twilight Zone.

[@markmaki4460]

That episode was one of the few that brought tears to me. Just thinking about it, it still does.

[@afvet5075]

A true American Treasure. Art Carney is truly one of a kind.

[@hawkrider88]

Now that was worth watching. What a talented guy he was....seriously talented.

[@jbyesterday3959]

✨An all-time favorite in everybody’s book. A true funny man ❤️✨

[@joebiggs4387]

I learned about Art Carney when I was a kid. When the honeymooners episodes became popular again. I thought he was the funniest and most talented comic actor I’ve ever seen. Then I saw his dramatic roles!! 😮

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Art is a true American warrior. Severely wounded in his right leg in WWII during the Normandy invasion. Love this great man !

[@dylangatenby9928]

Love the old Tonight show. Johnny was simply the best and had such class!!🎉

[@claudiocorleone7856]

Longest hair I have seen on Carson. Art was,according to Gleason one of the funniest actors he has ever worked with.

[@maggie2936-q1m]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@joancarrino890]

Apparently they were big Drinking Buddies too which did neither of them any good

[@movieedge7370]

Art Carney won the Academy award for best actor, 1974 for the movie, Harry and Tonto 👍🏻

[@orbison]

The only thing that stops me from saying he deserved it (and it was a worthy performance) is who he beat... Jack Nicholson (Chinatown) Dustin Hoffman (Lenny) And....Al Pacino for a little movie called The Godfather Part II. Carney would present Nicholson with the Best Actor Oscar the next year for Cuckoo's Nest. Also, Carney did deserve another Oscar nomination for The Late Show a few years later. That was another great performance.

[@gregggonsalves218]

The Honeymooners Wonderful and funny. Great Memories of Mr Carney.

[@qualityofme]

​@@orbison I must respectfully disagree; although Pacino and Nicholson starred in overall better movies, Carney's performance, when viewed independently, was the best that year.

[@Sneakycat1971]

Sick as hell in 1975 and then he lived almost another 30 years

[@bradbarthold1278]

What you mean sick as hell

[@johnritter5951]

With Art Carney, one of the things I've noticed--seeing it occur within my self--is that, when you get old, you just don't care what others think about you anymore. You've been there and done that when it comes to playing, "What will others think?" This sets you free to be as silly, absurd, or bombastic as you feel like. Your respect for, and therefore fear of, others' opinions has atrophied. You've cut them down to size, something utterly impossible when you're young. I don't need to be the grown up in the room...been there--done that too. Suddenly, toddlers and little ones make more sense, because freedom makes sense, and they are free...free to be whatever they are.

[@opera93]

Thanks, interestingly, me too. Oddly, taking over 40 years in my 12Steps Recovery HELPING! ( * still low self esteem, or whatever called in psychBabble)!

[@johnritter5951]

Glad to hear from you. Myself, I've taken the Christianity route to get to where I am. You mention still struggling with low self-esteem, that can actually be a good component when it is exists within the context of being a follower of Christ. In the Christian lifestyle, rather than low self-esteem, such feeling are considered a function of humility, a characteristic highly commended by Jesus in his teachings. Only the humble can recognize their need of help ... only the humble, reach out to God and ask for help. The self-satisfied, those who believe they have it all together never do this. My esteem comes from Jesus, thus it is not self-esteem. Thus I esteem myself, but am also humble because I know it is a gift from a Friend. God Bless You.@@opera93

[@tom2698]

He was a real dude - Carney was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 as an infantryman and machine gun crewman during World War II. During the Battle of Normandy serving in the 28th Infantry Division, he was wounded in the leg by shrapnel and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. As a result of the injury, his right leg was ¾-inch (2 cm) shorter than his left. Carney was awarded a Purple Heart, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, and was discharged as a private in 1945.

[@danacolley1579]

thank you for providing this information. A true hero comic genius and the finest example of the greatest generation

[@tumblelake63]

'I had a hot flash about 10 minutes ago.' Hilarious.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Would have liked to see him and Victor Borge play piano together. i am sure it would have been hilarious.

[@rosaoddin4338]

Surprised to see Johnny with such mussed up hair, he was typically impeccable.

[@tdunph4250]

BRAVO! Only Mr Carson had on the greats!!

[@hereandthere9023]

Art Carney and Buddy Ebson ... two of my favorites. 🙂

[@donchonealyotheoneal5456]

He was one of the greats and he was a down to earth human like us all

[@jmzochsnrtr]

Very good piano 🎹 👌 👍 😀

[@buddybates3247]

Thankful for Art being here. I know Jackie and Art are having a blast in heaven. 💖

[@ryanellis4474]

MAN! What a talent! And to think they called Jackie Gleason “The Great One…” Carney is a GENIUS!! Wow! Johnny was PERFECTION in setting up Carney and making him look good the whole time. I will pray for America. Please pray for me. God Bless you.

[@hotrox2112]

What a Legendary panel of Talent right here...

[@rapidrhinoplumbing-monrovi3269]

Art Carney, wall to wall funny, 24/7,,,God given talent. There will only be one Ed Norton, "We miss you Norton". We loved you maddly

[@marystout248]

Watched Art Carney on an old Whats My Line episode not long ago and laughed til I cried.

[@andrewpotok2661]

I love Art Carney. He made Jackie Gleason look like a genius with his humor

[@stevewiley8409]

Gleason was a genius

[@WilliamNast-v1g]

GREATNESS ON THAT STAGE!

[@chipps1066]

Unforgettable.

[@ernestconnell8087]

One of a kind 🍻

[@timetowakeup6302]

When he went to the piano, was anyone else hoping he was gonna warm up with a few bars of Swanee River? 😂

[@gamernorcal]

i thought in that episode the mic'd in the music but maybe it was really him playing?

[@timetowakeup6302]

@@gamernorcal I was always under the impression that was him.

[@johnschaefer2238]

Yes I expected to hear him warm up with Swanee River and expected Carson to run over slap Carney on the back and say “Will you come on with that!”

[@anthonya2349]

@@johnschaefer2238 Because of that I'll always know who wrote it.

[@thyslop1737]

Art was great. One of my faves, so talented, comic legend.

[@Drchainsaw77]

Carney is only 56 here, and Carson is 49.

[@61Slughi]

I also had to check his age when he did this. 56? Wow, that's a lot of hard miles. My dad was in his early 70's before he started looking like Art.

[@trevour]

Art has a hearing aid too. Must stem from when he operated machine guns during WWII.

[@CaptainBanjo-fw4fq]

@@trevour”Hearing loss not service-related”.

[@debrabolton9372]

I always loved Art Carney. He was such a talented man. Harry and Tonto is one of my favorite films.

[@walterbriggs272]

Would that we had people like Art today. Too many generous entertainers are gone

[@waynewhite2827]

I just watched “Going Out in Style” with George Burns and Lee Strasberg and let me tell you, that movie shoulda won an Oscar. Three great actors but I loved Mr. Carney’s role. Great movie. They don’t make em like that anymore❤

[@krisscanlon4051]

Carney, Dern, and Margaret...wow star studded

[@dkelban]

One of the greats.

[@rosalindsey6841]

Great Music playing the piano. Great Comedian to

[@DJVMFVME]

Had no idea. He is brilliant.

[@lindasnyder2774]

Pure genius all the way! Love you long time! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤗❤️✝️😢

[@williamgregory1848]

Fun fact: Art Carney was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 as an infantryman and machine gun crewman during World War II where he actually fought at the Battle of Normandy serving in the 28th Infantry Division. During that battle, he was wounded in the leg by shrapnel and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. He wasn’t just funny, he was also a tough SOB.

I knew he played piano, but i never knew he was that good at it.

[@michaelrochester48]

Johnny Carson had his hair at its longest here

[@MatthewC137]

The mid-'70s had its way with everyone.

[@markeggins890]

Might have been a hairdressers strike?

[@marcyfan-tz4wj]

that was more my thinking...he looks like nobody combed it and even in 70's plaid, carson always looked great.@@markeggins890

[@cjgaddy]

THE GREAT ART CARNEY

[@joancarrino890]

Jackie was very complimentary of art he knew how talented the guy was

[@desert.mantis]

Brilliant!

[@danehlers9989]

I always liked Art Carney. He never came across as Holywood snobbery he always played relatable, real people in his roles. That movie with George Burns as 3 older guys who decide to rob a bank to help Carneys nephew and a buddy who's sick as a final gesture was shot almost documentary style in places and was great in it and any serious role he had later in his carrer showed a diverse talent you didn't see in The Honeyooners and I loved him as the bumbling Ed Norton too!! ❤ 👍🏼

[@amfm889]

"If" by Bread. You're welcome.

[@MC-qy6fz]

I was 1 1/2 years of age when this aired. Sure miss the good old days.

[@jamsohnson8579]

Talent.

[@fireballmarlboroman3753]

I can hear the Burt Reynolds laugh in the background!! To funny art was great

[@77loneranger]

Art Carney was hilarious. Carney and Gleason- the Irish rule!

[@drjwww]

To think, Carney would've been two or maybe three months away from winning the Oscar for HARRY AND TONTO.

[@terrifiorelli9819]

Harry and Tonto was a great movie he was in back in the 70’s.

[@angelthman1659]

Interesting that he played a contemporary Top 40 song from the 70s rather than a classic from his era. Most people his age would have called modern music garbage.

[@ravipeiris4388]

He was in a fine movie called Harry and Tonto.

[@samsmith4216]

One of a kind...

[@fleece192]

Johnny smoking 🚬 .. Carney and Jacky the best. Didn’t know he played. Thanks

[@taup6992]

I just realized Art Carney must have inspired the Kramer character from Seinfield, just a bit 😂

[@williamzander9708]

God bless him remember when Harry and Tonto came out he was lord looking back then didn’t realize he was only 56 .

[@abrooksize]

One of my few crushes

[@irenaoreskovic8339]

Best shows 👍🤣💜

[@michaellinner7772]

I'd love to see the whole episode. As an early teen when this aired I had a huge crush on Ann Margaret 😉

[@PalmBeachDog]

Art in his PJs and Johnny with bed hair.

[@brentbarnhart5827]

He lived another 32 YEARS! after this, 33 I think to be exact. He was around 85, So here he was only like 53, and 54. THAT'S INSANE!

[@shermandropkin5786]

Song by David Gates and Bread.

[@anthonya2349]

Wish he would've started with Swanny River.

[@jasonnstegall]

Carney…YOU ARE A MENTAL CASE! But he was one of the funniest people on the planet. Even Jackie Gleason was in awe of his talent and found it very hard to not “corpse” when Art and he were on stage/in front of the camera together.

[@opera93]

Thanks, interestingly, I had “ Johnny’s HAIR DO, & suits (* red , green Checks etc) : WHEW ! , with Deep red Patent SHOES, ETC.😂😂

[@sdseals2076]

Nice segment. I had to see why he was in pjs, 😀😃😄😁😆😅🤣😂.

[@joelapera6676]

best side kick ever even better than kramer very talented man

[@robertlivingston8835]

The song is IF.

[@emmaridley_youtube]

He looks like Art Kermit here! Ribbit😂

[@vincentdefeo5917]

Art was the biggest reason the honeymooners was so successful Jackie Gleason himself said .....that. art was 90PCT. REASON THE SHOW WAS AS GOOD AS IT WAS..........bang. ZOOM TO THE MOON!😅

[@thedriszen8350]

My first reaction to this was just a little annoyance that Art came to the show at obviously less than his best, and not his usual funny. But then you learned the show called him to fill in for a late guest cancelation. Even in his own poor health, he came and did something on-the-spot. No, he wasn't his funniest here, but he was an old school trooper. There are still some pros out there, but not as many. As they say... it was a different era.

[@ruthfreeman864]

no body did late night like johnny

[@ronwade5646]

Nice hair, Johnny

[@johanbrand8601]

I agree!

[@Josephlaszlo]

I was expecting to hear “ Swanee River “ to be honest. 🤷🏻

[@pjj9491]

❤Bruce Dern...wowwwwww

[@sardaracampa1733]

Art Carney was the radio actor on Orson Wells War of The Worlds Broadcast. Carney impersonated President Roosevelt on that Broadcast, and he did it so amazingly that it was that impersonation that convinced many Americans that the Martians were attacking earth. Art Carney did such a great Roosevelt impression that The White House would use him to read Roosevelt speeches on the radio, and the public never knew. So, many of the Roosevelt speeches that are recorded now, are actually Art Carney, because Roosevelt was too ill. Hey, last year in 2023, the Pope spoke on the balcony at the Vatican, and as he walked away ,he vanished! They used a holographic image of him!

[@howardkaye8779]

I thought he was gonna play swanee River!

[@tonyachapman9255]

Times have changed

[@exclamationpointman3852]

Woah - Mr. Carney is TRIPPING here????

[@kennybluet5527]

The only thing that would've made this better is if he played Swanee River on the piano.

[@hicks727]

Bruce Dern?

[@5400bowen]

Yes, I had to hear him speak to know.

[@t.b.g.504]

​at first it looked like Kris Kristofferson.

[@Karrio73]

Johnny’s hair… Herbie doesn’t like to make toys.

[@BobbyBoca]

War Hero!

[@joancarrino890]

Johnny really needed a haircut in this clip

[@johanbrand8601]

Why? What's wrong with his hair? It looks great.

[@stevewiley8409]

Johnny has Irein Corey hair tonight

[@johanbrand8601]

How dare you

[@lloydcountess2744]

I like a little longer hair on guys.I have had my hair a Beatle type length since the 70'd and I like it. These modern shaved or non existent styles look bare and too raw for me.

[@johanbrand8601]

I agree

[@ernestboetz7320]

Wow.

[@TimothyJonSarris]

Carney brings back a bit of burlesque theater to the tonight show…a brilliant actor, comedian and pianist. However , I believe “ hard to control “ would better describe Robin Williams’ appearances with Johnny.