Johnny Carson’s wildly over-the-top former estate hits the market in Malibu

The lavish four-acre Malibu estate once owned by television icon Johnny Carson is on the market looking straight out of the golden era of Carson’s run as host of The Tonight Show.

Built in 1978 (Carson purchased it in the mid-1980s), the 7,083-square-foot residence was designed by architect Ed Niles and features a glassy, late modern design with sky-high ceilings and cavernous living spaces. Like the old Tonight Show set itself, the interior of the home features verdant ferns and vines dangling from the tall windows. There’s even an arboretum and a fully grown tree in the living room.

Film producer Sidney Kimmel and his wife, Caroline, purchased the home in 2007 from Carson’s widow, Alexis, the Los Angeles Times reports. The couple paid around $46 million for the home and restored it based on the original design style and aesthetic.

The compound, which boasts stellar views of the water off Little Dume Beach, features a two-bedroom home, along with a guest house, pavilion, gym, and locker room. The grounds cover four acres and include a tennis court, a koi pond fed by a dramatic waterfall, and a saltwater swimming pool.

Interior features include a copper and glass fireplace, multiple bar and lounge areas, a formal dining room, wine cellar, media room, and an extensive master suite with walk-in closets, multiple bathrooms, and an attached office space.

The truly singular property is asking $81.5 million. Chris Cortazzo of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Linda May of Hilton & Hyland have the listing.

• Mapping Johnny Carson's Swank '70s and '80s Los Angeles [Curbed LA]