For over 30 years, Johnny Carson reigned supreme as the undisputed king of late-night television.

With his razor-sharp wit, smooth delivery, and cool demeanor, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson became a nightly ritual for millions of Americans. But behind the desk and beneath the iconic smile was a man who, like all legends, had his limits.

Now, years after his passing, Carson’s family has revealed a side of the host few ever saw—one filled with behind-the-scenes grudges, personal betrayals, and celebrity feuds that simmered long after the cameras stopped rolling.

These are the 8 guests Johnny Carson secretly hated the most, including a few that fans would never have guessed.

Fred de Cordova – American director and producer (1910–2001)

As Carson’s long-time producer and right-hand man, Fred de Cordova was as close to Johnny as anyone could be professionally.

But their relationship soured in the final years of Carson’s career.

De Cordova reportedly undermined Carson’s trust, making production decisions behind his back and pushing for guest bookings Johnny disapproved of.

The final straw? Carson was furious when de Cordova remained on set during his final show without permission, against Johnny’s explicit wishes.

Bob Hope – American entertainer (1903–2003)

A national treasure and frequent guest, Bob Hope was beloved by audiences—but not by Carson.

Johnny grew to resent Hope’s scripted appearances and entitlement, especially when Hope would show up unannounced or expect to be bumped to the front of the guest list.

Carson reportedly said, “He’s got nothing new to say, and he won’t go away.” Their relationship remained civil on-air, but cold and distant off it.

Don Rickles – American comedian and actor (1926–2017)

This one might surprise fans, as Rickles was a frequent guest known for his roasting style and apparent rapport with Johnny.

But Carson reportedly disliked being the target of Rickles’ jokes off-air, and felt Rickles blurred the line between playful and personal.

While the two laughed together on camera, insiders suggest Carson found Rickles more exhausting than entertaining behind the scenes.

Joan Rivers – American entertainer (1933–2014)

Perhaps Carson’s most infamous grudge, the feud with Joan Rivers became late-night lore.

After being Carson’s hand-picked guest host for years, Rivers accepted her own talk show on Fox—without telling Johnny first. He considered it a betrayal.

Carson never spoke to her again, refused to mention her name publicly, and banned her from the show permanently.

Wayne Newton – Singer and entertainer

Newton once sued NBC and publicly confronted Carson over jokes made at his expense.

The feud escalated when Newton called Carson out as a bully, even challenging him to confront him face-to-face. The bad blood between them ran deep, with Carson refusing to ever have Newton on the show again.

Frank Sinatra – Singer and actor

Despite public appearances of friendship, Carson reportedly felt intimidated and annoyed by Sinatra’s entourage and demands.

On more than one occasion, Frank showed up late, brought unannounced guests, and expected the show to bend around his schedule.

Carson considered it a violation of his control over the show, and insiders say he never truly warmed up to Sinatra personally.

Buddy Hackett – Comedian and actor

Hackett’s wild behavior on set—and off—reportedly rubbed Carson the wrong way.

He often ignored timing cues, used inappropriate language, and made Carson visibly uncomfortable during live segments.

While audiences loved his unpredictable energy, Johnny preferred a more controlled environment—and Hackett didn’t fit that mold.

Angie Dickinson – Actress and former flame

Rumored to have had a brief romantic relationship with Carson, Angie Dickinson’s appearances often came with awkward tension.

Friends close to Carson suggested that unresolved feelings and power dynamics made their on-air chemistry seem strained.

Eventually, Dickinson stopped appearing on the show altogether, and Carson never mentioned her again.