Television personality and Tonight Show veteran Ed McMahon died June 23 at age 86. He passed away at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles; he'd been receiving treatment for pneumonia for the past several weeks.
The announcer, game show host, and sometime actor was best known as Johnny Carson's right-hand man on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992, but he began using his stentorian voice to make a living as a 15-year-old bingo caller and carnival barker. Before he could make his way to Hollywood, though, WWII and the Korean conflict intervened, turning the Los Angeles native into a fighter and test pilot for the U.S. Marines. After retiring from active duty, he returned home to L.A., where he got his big break in 1956, pairing with Carson on the game show Who Do You Trust? When Carson decamped for his Tonight Show berth, McMahon went along, remaining Carson's sidekick for the next 30 years, announcing the comic in his signature "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!" and punctuating Carson's jokes with catchphrases in the making, a booming "Yes!" or "You are correct, sir!" In 1984, McMahon partnered with American Bandstand host Dick Clark (he'd served as announcer on that show in the '50s) for TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes. The show ran for 16 years, during which time McMahon also took over the microphone as host of the talent competition Star Search. Even people who didn't watch TV got to know McMahon, showing up as he did in their mailboxes, declaring that they might already have won millions from American Family Publishers.
But Ed McMahon was never a mere announcer or pitchman. Over the years, he picked up film roles in The Incident and Fun With Dick and Jane (often considered his best performance), as well as TV guest spots (often playing himself) on The Simpsons, CHiPS, Newhart, and dozens of other shows. In recent years, he suffered setbacks both personal and professional, losing his son Michael to cancer in 1995, and facing foreclosure on his home in 2008. He was most recently featured alongside MC Hammer in a Super Bowl commercial this year for Cash4Gold, which poked fun at his financial woes. In February 2009, it was revealed that McMahon had been hospitalized for a month, suffering from bone cancer. He leaves a legacy as a prolific performer on the small screen, and the undisputed No. 1 second banana. – Alynda Wheat
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I grew up watching him, so this is hard to believe. RIP.
He’ll be filling in for St. Peter. “Heeeeeres Joe Schmoe!”
You need to correct your facts please. While it is truly sad that Ed McMahon has passed on, he NEVER worked for Publishers Clearing House. (I am an employee that is how I know.) He worked for our competitor American Family Publishers. Please correct your information.
Carter Forster,
How can another human being be so heartless towards another. The man is not even gone a day and your slamming him based on your world view? Unless you were a friend, brother, wife, relative or client, you are out of line. Why is it that everyone feels free to be negative and so full of hate? What ever Ed McMahon did or didn’t do, is his legacy and he will be rewarded or punished for it by the one who made us ALL. And just in case you don’t believe that, it doesn’t matter if you do. We are all held accountable to ALL we say and do. Be sweet and kind and leave others better off than you found them even if you think they are worthless.
Truly a sad day for television
They compiled a little video of his accomplishments over at http://doiop.com/rzkh if anyone wants to check it out, it’s very touching. We’ll miss him
RIP ED.
http://blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com/
Good byeeeeee ED! you will be missed. He was a good person, we all have our faults..whatever his REALLY was, was his not for our disgression, nor judgement. He is where he will be judged for his acts.. but, he was a great friend and loved what he did, God Bless ur soul Ed McMahon.
Love Shelly
ed was a great man even though he could not tolerate colored people.
I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Ed McMahon’s family. Mr. McMahon was a true legend and TV icon who will never be forgotten. RIP Mr. McMahon!
I’m glad Ed never worked for PCH. Nobody should ever have to work for those scam artists. RIP Ed.
Thank God he’s finally dead. Now he can finally rest in peace.
Ed and Johnny both gone! Makes me feel old!
Rest in Peace, Ed. You will truly be missed.
We are deeply saddened to here of the passing of Ed McMahon he will deeply be missed.RIP ED
We are deeply saddened to here of the passing of Ed McMahon he will deeply be missed.RIP ED