Johnny Carson's struggles with alcohol 'made him a monster' in his relationships, according to the author.

Despite being a late-night TV legend for over 30 years, Johnny Carson privately battled with alcoholism and failed marriages.

A new biography, "Carson the Magnificent," has been released after 20 years, focusing on the iconic host known for his privacy.

The book "Carson Daly: A Magician's Journey" written by Bill Zehme and Mike Thomas examines the life of an aspiring magician from Nebraska who went on to host "The Tonight Show." The book also delves into Carson's tumultuous relationship with alcohol and its impact on his marriages.

"Thomas stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that he had significant issues with alcohol, particularly in the beginning, which caused him to become a monster. He sometimes becomes violent and can change rapidly, with little provocation."

Jody Wolcott, Carson's first spouse, was known for her flirtatious behavior with other men, which made their marriage volatile.

"Zehme wrote in his book that when alcohol was present, both parties would behave poorly, with boozy rows occurring in front of other couples or long silent stews of resentment, recrimination, or shame."

"He had major problems with alcohol, especially early on, that turned him into a demon. There are instances where he becomes violent, and he just turns on a dime, and it didn’t even take that much." — Mike Thomas, co-author of "Carson the Magnificent"

Zehme wrote that she was known to dance on tabletops at parties, taunt with caustic sarcasm, and flirt recklessly enough to provoke red-hot demons within him.

"If properly lubricated, the demons would rampage, and whoever he had been moments prior would be instantly displaced by an unrecognizable hellion so utterly possessed that he would never quite know the havoc wrought by this doppelgänger, who had seemed to be him but was never really him, except of course it was."

"Zehme admitted that he would sometimes wake up to find that his sons' mother had been injured, and in those moments of reckoning, nobody could comprehend the depth of his shame and self-loathing that had spread within him."

In 1949, Carson and Wolcott got married and had three sons together. However, they both had affairs before deciding to end their relationship in 1963.

Carson's turbulent marriages may have resulted from his strained relationship with his mother, according to what Thomas shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Thomas stated, "According to psychology, if it's not one thing, it's your mother. She was emotionally withholding and never expressed pride in him. This lack of validation from her affected his relationships with women.""

Joanne Copeland was Carson's second wife, whom he married in 1963. According to the book, she described his drinking as a "nightmare" when she encountered a Jekyll and Hyde figure.

"According to the book, Copeland stated, "I was married to two different individuals. He transformed into a tiger... He possessed a low tolerance. He experienced blackouts.""

Carson would return home and remove the bedsheets while Copeland was asleep, according to Copeland's claim.

"She remembered how he would say, "I'm working my a-- off, and you're sleeping in bed," at three in the morning when she was dealing with two people. He had a tremendous anger about women that would come out."

The book stated that Carson would often feel remorse in the mornings and tell Copeland, "I don't know what comes over me... I just can't resist drinking. I'm sorry for how this affects you."

Despite repeated forgiveness, Copeland and the pair experienced "mini-separations" and sought therapy, but the damage was irreparable. In 1972, the couple divorced.

Joanna Holland became Carson's third wife that same year, and alcohol was once again the cause of their marital problems.

""In that period of fear and intoxication, Holland admitted that he was easily triggered. Those were the unsettling moments... I made an effort," Holland stated in the book."

In a 1979 interview with "60 Minutes," Carson confessed that he was not a heavy drinker.

"When I drank, unlike many who become outgoing and friendly, I would behave in the opposite manner," Carson stated. "It would happen instantly!"

In 1982, Carson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of driving over the legal limit while married to Holland. He was fined $603 and put on three years of probation.

The couple divorced in 1985.

"Despite the fact that he had two different wives named Joanne, Thomas revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that they remained close to him throughout his life. His third wife served as a sounding board for him towards the end of his life. However, they were always there for him. You can interpret this as you see fit."

Carson wed Alexis Maas for the fourth and last time in 1987, and their relationship endured until his demise in 2005.

"Thomas remarked that his last marriage to Alexis was the least tumultuous. He allowed Johnny to be himself, as he was an older man at the time. Five years after their union, he retired, freeing him from the stress of hosting "The Tonight Show." Consequently, he was likely a different individual than he was when he was working."

"Thomas stated that people reported observing a lightness in him when she entered his life. "It was likely the least complicated of his relationships based on my understanding," he added."

In 1991, Carson's life was darkened when his son, Richard Carson, died in a car accident at the age of 39.

"According to Thomas, Johnny expressed his regret that he was not closer to his sons. He was married to "The Tonight Show" and lived his life as a host. Despite his desire to be a good father, he struggled to find his way. However, when Ricky passed away, Johnny was deeply affected and grieved for him until the end of his life."

"According to Thomas, Johnny was not an individual who openly displayed his emotions or wore his heart on his sleeve. However, he gave a five-minute eulogy for Ricky on the show, which showed how deeply the loss affected him."

Thomas shared that he believes Ricky made Carson emotional because, as Carson himself stated and as others who knew them both attest, they shared similar sensibilities and a sense of humor.

Carson's retirement years were a positive time in his life, where he found support in his closest confidantes, and he cut down on his drinking.

"Thomas said that he would play poker with his friends, including Steve Martin and Carl Reiner, and go to his favorite restaurants. He would spend time with his wife, shop in town, play tennis, and be on his yachts constantly. He would work on his computer, email people, and check the news from the high seas. He also went on safari in Africa. Life was great until he got sick."

Carson died from emphysema. He was 79.

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy recalls performing on 'Johnny Carson': 'That was magical'.

"Thomas stated that he hoped readers would gain a more comprehensive understanding of Johnny Carson's character. Bill was both a fan and an expert in portraying larger-than-life celebrities, and he was able to humanize them. Bill was a compassionate and inquisitive individual who was able to elicit openness from people, including Johnny and many of Johnny's close friends who had previously remained silent. Through their conversations, they were able to reveal the true nature of Johnny and what made him unique."