Former Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinson's American Masters documentary pulls back the curtain on his personal life, including alcoholism and drug use

The New York Times

At 93, Severinson is the last surviving star of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Never Too Late: The Doc Severinsen Story goes beyond his time on The Tonight Show, delving into personal life, including his marriages and family's history with alcholism. In an interview with The New York Times, Severinson discussed his past alcholism and drug use. "None of the rock-hard stuff. But close. Very close," he says of the drugs he used. Severinson adds: "I didn’t come to work and say, 'Now, Johnny, there’s something I’ve got to tell you — I’m an alcoholic, so look out now.' Quite the opposite. And about the time I was just starting out on The Tonight Show, I also became aware that if you’re an alcoholic, you’re probably a drug addict also. And I found out that I was. And I said, 'Whoa, boy, they’re taking away all my toys.'"