Chris Carson, Johnny Carson’s Son, Dies at 74

A close friend of the Carson family revealed the news during his appearance on Joe Sibilia's "Nostalgia Tonight" podcast. The late television host also had two other sons, one of whom passed away decades ago.

Howard Smith revealed the death of Johnny Carson's eldest son, Christopher "Kit" Carson, on a Monday, June 2, episode of "Nostalgia Tonight."

Howard said he had learned of Chris's passing from Johnny's nephew, TV producer Jeff Sotzing, a couple of months ago. He shared that he had tried to stay in contact with Chris following Johnny's passing in 2005.

He moved afterward and bought a house outside Fort Lauderdale, where he joined a local golf club. When he asked members at the club if they knew Chris, they told him Chris was a member, too.

"And I go, 'Oh God.' I said, 'Well, I'm trying, you know, I'm a friend of his dad and all that. And I've been trying to get a hold of Chris, and Chris never got back with me,'" Howard recalled.

He also recounted the moment he learned of Chris's passing. Howard was attending a show Jeff had put together about Johnny. "I said, 'So Jeff, what's happening with Chris?' And he looks at me, goes, 'Howard, Chris just died last week.' 'Really?' I go, 'Oh no,'" he said.

Howard also shared that Chris was an avid golfer, and whenever he visited with his dad, they would all go golfing together. "We would play golf together, and John wouldn't play golf. John did play golf at one time, but he would just ride along with us," he said.

Chris stayed out of the spotlight for most of his life, though he did make headlines in the 1980s after welcoming a daughter, Christal Love Carson, with his longtime girlfriend at the time. The pair separated shortly after, and had a highly publicized dispute over child support.

Chris is the second of Johnny's children to pass away. His younger brother, Rick, died tragically in a car accident in June 1991. The only son of the late comedian who now remains is Cory Carson.