Ed McMahon Has Bone Cancer: Source

(CBS)  Ed McMahon, former sidekick to Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show" and a familiar TV commercial pitchman, is hospitalized in intensive care, and a person close to him said Friday that McMahon has bone cancer.

Spokesman Howard Bragman said McMahon, 85, had been hospitalized for several weeks for treatment of pneumonia and other ailments. He declined to identify the Los Angeles facility.

"It's serious," Bragman said when asked about McMahon's condition, noting his age. But, Bragman added: "We're hopeful."

A person close to McMahon, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information, said the illnesses included bone cancer.

Bragman said McMahon's wife and family are with him and appreciate the public expressions of concern.

McMahon had broken his neck in a fall in 2007. He faced foreclosure on his home last year because he said the injury left him unable to work, but a deal was announced last December that would allow him to stay in the house.

McMahon was Carson's announcer and second banana on "Tonight" from 1962 until Carson's retirement in 1992, introducing him with a resounding "H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Johnny!" and bolstering the host with hearty laughs.
Carson died in 2005.

McMahon also appeared in commercials for American Family Publishers' sweepstakes, and had supporting roles in movies including "Fun with Dick and Jane" (1977) and "Just Write" (1997) and in TV shows including the 1997 WB sitcom "The Tom Show" with Tom Arnold.
By AP Television Writer Lynn Elber

[luke_4u]

I'm sorry to hear about poor ol Ed. But he had a long run, and he's 85 now. And of course, he ain't dead yet. Keep on fightin Ed.

[miriambk]

Oh Ed, you and your family are in my prayers.

[Vampyra65]

I grew up in the 70s on Carson and Ed. I'm truly sorry to hear this news and my heart goes out to the family. They both made my life more livable in a bad situation. So even in their loss good memories remain and both will be in my heart.

[ramos1129]

Ed not only entertained America for many years as Carson's sidekick but he gave countless hours to charity work especially Jerry Lewis's MS annual telephon. He worked many times around the clock at these events and never complained. He helped raise many millions of dollars for kids with MS.

Ed also rose to be a Lt. Colonel in the Marine Corps. He served the USA in the pacific during WW II and had many medals for valor and other things that his record details.

In his twilight years, Ed fell victim to some financial scams and almost lost his home. Thanks to some good folks, he will now be able to live there for the rest of his life cost free.

Ed is still a wonderful man and now, on top of his other ailments, has bone cancer. Frankly, he deserves all of the respect and honor a grateful nation can give this very good man and veteran.

[wheear]

I will neaver understand how so many people on this site can find a reason to turn the most basic story into a dispute. Here's a guy who just lived his life for 85 years. He pitched the MS telethons, didn't bad mouth anybody and now he's sick. (Posted by ErrorInUse) comes back with an insensitive comment. Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom of ignorance. Watching a loved one suffer is difficult. Have some deccency. My prayers are with Mr. McMahon's and his family.

[souljam76]

McMahon also did Colonial Penn Life Insurance commercials in the 1980s & early 1990s

[ErrorInUse]

So what? Why is this man more deserving of a story than any other person who is living with cancer? Is this a story to raise pity for his financial situation?

[longtree-2009]

didn't he also retire from the USMC Reserves as a full bird colonel? if so, that is a nice retirement package depending on active duty time.