Comedian David Brenner , a regular on Johnny Carson 's `` The Tonight Show , '' has died after a battle with cancer , a family spokesman said Saturday . He was 78 . Brenner was a staple on Carson 's late-night show , appearing more times than any other guest -- 158 , according to a bio on his official website . Before getting into comedy , Brenner helped write , produce and direct 115 TV documentaries , earning him nearly 30 awards . Brenner also was the author of five books -- his latest published in 2003 , `` I Think There 's a Terrorist in My Soup . '' Even in death , he kept the jokes coming . Brenner 's final request , according to family spokesman Jeff Abraham , was to have $ 100 in small bills tucked in his sock -- `` just in case tipping is recommended where I 'm going . '' His gravesite will read : `` If this is supposed to be a joke -- then I do n't get it ! , '' according to Abraham . Comedian Joan Rivers , a longtime friend of Brenner 's , tweeted about the news of his passing Saturday . `` RIP David Brenner . I adored him , and laughed more with him than anybody . Sad , sad , sad . Knowing David , he 's now making the devil laugh , '' read Rivers ' tweet . Brenner is survived by his wife , three sons and a grandson . People we lost in 2014 .
David Brenner appeared several times on Johnny Carson 's late - night show . Brenner started out in television documentaries . ` ` Knowing David , he 's now making the world laugh , '' Joan Rivers tweets .