Johnny Carson may have died in 2005, but tax filings uncovered by the Smoking Gun this week show the legendary "Tonight Show" host became Hollywood's biggest philanthropist last year.
Tax returns filed in May for the fiscal year ending in June show that Carson quietly arranged for a donation of $156 million to his charitable trust, the John W. Carson Foundation. This donation makes Carson's foundation Hollywood's largest in terms of assets. The New York Post cites another large foundation -- that of record producer David Geffen's -- by way of contrast: It doles out money from "only" $80 million in assets.
So where is Carson's money going? Throughout his life, Carson gave to AIDS charities, environmental groups, schools, and foundations benefiting his home state, Nebraska. Incidentally, Nebraska is home to another big charitable giver, billionaire Warren Buffett, who has pledged billions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
According to the Smoking Gun, Carson's foundation, which is overseen by a financial management team, has doled out or earmarked gifts to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles free clinic, and Planned Parenthood, among others.
The value of Carson's full estate and its disbursement aren't public. The famously private "Tonight Show" host died in January 2005 after a battle with emphysema, leaving behind his fourth wife, Alexis, and two grown sons.
Source:yahoo.com
