Ed McMahon Passes Away

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Tonight Show sidekick, Star Search host, Publisher's Clearing House pitchman, muscular dystrophy telethon co-host, blooper magnate...Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr. did it all in over 50 years in the business. Sadly, Ed left this world earlier this morning at the age of 86.

McMahon died shortly after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center surrounded by his wife, Pam, and other family members, said his publicist, Howard Bragman.

Bragman didn’t give a cause of death, saying only that McMahon had a “multitude of health problems the last few months.”

McMahon had bone cancer, among other illnesses, according to a person close to the entertainer, and had been hospitalized for several weeks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to release the information.
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McMahon is, of course, best known for his time as second fiddle (and frequent butt of jokes) to Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. With a booming "Heeeeeere's Johnny," a bow, and a seat next to Carson's desk, Ed helped put Americans to bed for 30 years until Carson retired in 1992.

“You can’t imagine hooking up with a guy like Carson,” McMahon said in an interview with The Associated Press in 1993. “There’s the old phrase, hook your wagon to a star. I hitched my wagon to a great star.”

McMahon, who never failed to laugh at his Carson’s quips, kept his supporting role in perspective.

“It’s like a pitcher who has a favorite catcher,” he said. “The pitcher gets a little help from the catcher, but the pitcher’s got to throw the ball. Well, Johnny Carson had to throw the ball, but I could give him a little help.”


McMahon also served as pitchman for a number of companies, including Budweiser, Texas Instruments, and Mercedes-Benz., as well as the aforementioned Publisher's Clearing House. How many of us have cursed Ed's name because we were not already a winner?

During the 2009 Super Bowl, McMahon appeared in a commercial with MC Hammer for Cash4Gold, parodying his own financial troubles that plagued him in his later years.



The tributes from fellow entertainers have already started to surface, further proving McMahon's legacy in Hollywood is everlasting.

David Letterman and Paul Shaffer:

"Ed McMahon's voice at 11:30 was a signal that something great was about to happen. Ed's introduction of Johnny was a classic broadcasting ritual — reassuring and exciting," Letterman said, adding, "We will miss him."

Letterman's bandleader, Paul Shaffer, said McMahon "defined professionalism in broadcasting."
Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinson:

"He will be sorely missed. He was one of the greats in show business, but most of all he was a gentleman. I miss my friend," Severinson said in a statement.
David Brenner (comedian and frequent Tonight Show guest/guest host):

"One of the best times in my career was to substitute host 75 times for Johnny Carson and have Ed McMahon on my right hand side," said comedian David Brenner. "God now has the best sidekick with Him."
I disagree. More like Johnny Carson has his sidekick back. And wherever they are, they are together and getting ready to make people laugh again.

McMahon's career has spanned much more than I've touched upon here, but I leave you with some more choice moments.

Rest in peace, Ed.





thefreak has cursed the fact many a time he was born too young to watch Carson in his prime. Gotta love YouTube.

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