Who Plays Johnny Carson on ‘I’m Dying Up Here’?

Dylan Baker as Johnny Carson (far right) in 'I'm Dying Up Here' (Justina Mintz/Showtime)

Based on the William Knoedelseder book of the same title, Showtime’s new drama I’m Dying Up Here is about the standup comedy scene in L.A. in the 1970s. The star is comedy club owner Goldie Herschlag (portrayed by Oscar winner Melissa Leo), a character based on Mitzi Shore, owner of The Comedy Store, where comedians had a shot of getting sent to the ultimate gig — The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

[Left: Baker was nominated for 3 Emmys for his role as Alicia Florrick’s sex-driven client Colin Sweeney on The Good Wife]

Johnny Carson is portrayed by Dylan Baker. He’s known for his roles on Blindspot (FBI Director Pellington), The Americans (William Crandall), The Good Wife (client Colin Sweeney), Damages (Jerry Boorman), and in a variety of films including Spider-Man (Dr. Curt Connors), Selma (J. Edgar Hoover), Anchorman 2 (Freddie Shapp), Revolutionary Road (Jack Ordway), Road to Perdition (Alexander Rance), Happiness (Bill Maplewood), and Planes, Trains & Automobiles (Owen), among several others. I’m Dying Up Here airs Sundays at 10pm on Showtime.