TV Personality Ed McMahon Dies At 86

Found Fame As Tonight Show Sidekick, Star Search Host

(CBS)  Ed McMahon, the loyal "Tonight Show" sidekick who bolstered boss Johnny Carson with guffaws and a resounding "H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Johnny!" for 30 years, died early Tuesday. He was 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 broke his neck in a fall in March 2007, and battled a series of financial problems as his injuries prevented him from working.

Doc Severinson, "Tonight" bandleader during the Carson era, said McMahon was a man "full of life and joy and celebration."

"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 Letterman paid tribute to McMahon as a "true broadcaster" and key part of Carson's show.

"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."

On CBS News' "The Early Show " Tuesday, Mary Tyler Moore discussed knowing McMahon.

"He will be missed," Moore said. "...I was such an admirer, am still, of course, an admirer of Ed McMahon."

Moore, who appeared on "The Tonight Show" herself, said McMahon, who played straight man to Carson's antics, could always hold his own.

Moore said, "Boy, did he not come up with a bunch of good laughs himself."

Jerry Digney, who was McMahon's longtime publicist, said McMahon was the most "courtly, good-natured person you could ever meet" and that he brought "elegance, humor and a new sense of importance" to the role of second banana.

McMahon and Carson had worked together for nearly five years on the game show "Who Do You Trust?" when Carson took over NBC's late-night show from Jack Paar in October 1962. McMahon played second banana on "Tonight" 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."

"And now h-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Johnny!" was McMahon's trademark opener for each "Tonight" show, followed by a small, respectful bow toward the star. McMahon's style was honed during his youthful days as a carnival hawker.

The highlight for McMahon came just after the monologue, when he and Carson would chat before the guests took the stage.

"We would just have a free-for-all," he said in the AP interview. "Now to sit there, with one of the brightest, most well-read men I've ever met, the funniest, and just to hold your own in that conversation. ... I loved that."

When Carson died in 2005, McMahon said he was "like a brother to me," and recalled bantering with him on the phone a few months earlier.

"We could have gone on (television) that night and done a 'Carnac' skit. We were that crisp and hot."

McMahon's medical and financial problems kept him in the headlines in his last years. It was reported in June 2008 that he was facing possible foreclosure on his Beverly Hills home. By year's end, a deal was worked out allowing him to stay in his home, but legal action involving other alleged debts continued.

Among those who had stepped up with offers of help was Donald Trump.

"When I was at the Wharton School of Business I'd watch him every night," Trump told the Los Angeles Times in August. "How could this happen?"

McMahon even spoofed his own problems with a spot that aired during the 2009 Super Bowl promoting a cash-for-gold business. Pairing up with rap artist MC Hammer, he explained how easy it is to turn gold items into cash, jokingly saying "Goodbye, old friend" to a gold toilet and rolling out a convincing "H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's money!"

Born Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr. on March 6, 1923, in Detroit, McMahon grew up in Lowell, Mass. He got his start on television playing a circus clown on the 1950-51 variety series "Big Top." But the World War II Marine veteran interrupted his career to serve as a fighter pilot in Korea.

He joined "Who Do You Trust?" in 1958, its second year, the start of his long association with Carson. It was a partnership that outlasted their multiple marriages, which provided regular on-air fodder for jokes.

While Carson built his career around "Tonight" and withdrew from the limelight after his retirement, McMahon took a different path. He was host of several shows over the years, including "The Kraft Music Hall" (1968) and the amateur talent contest "Star Search," whose competitors included over the years Justin Timberlake, Usher, LeAnn Rimes, Adam Sandler and Rosie O'Donnell.

He was a longtime co-host of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, a Labor Day weekend institution, and was co-host with Dick Clark of "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes."

McMahon and Clark also teamed up as pitchmen for American Family Publishers' sweepstakes, with their faces a familiar sight on contest entry forms and in TV commercials. McMahon was known for his ongoing commercials for Budweiser as well.

He had supporting roles in several movies, including "Fun With Dick and Jane" (1977) and "Just Write" (1997). He took on his first regular TV series job in the 1997 WB sitcom "The Tom Show" with Tom Arnold.

McMahon released his autobiography, "For Laughing Out Loud: My Life and Good Times," in 1998. In it, he recounts the birth of "Tonight."

"Let's just go down there and entertain the hell out of them," Carson told him before the first show. Wrote McMahon: "That was the only advice I ever got from him."

In 1993, he recalled his first meeting with Carson after they left "Tonight."

"The first thing he said was, 'I really miss you. You know, it was fun, wasn't it?"' McMahon recalled. "I said, 'It was great.' And it was. It was just great."

Besides his wife, Pam, McMahon is survived by children Claudia, Katherine, Linda, Jeffrey and Lex.

Bragman said no funeral arrangements have been made.

[newerdeal]

My friend Mike used to work at a grocery store where Ed shopped. He would always be glad when Ed came in.

Mike would help Ed load his food into the car and he said Ed would always hand him a 20 dollar bill.

There is a special place in heaven for the people that made us laugh.

[bobnjersey]

so many bits and skits that these guys did ... making life just a bit more tolerable ... and helping everyone to take themselves ever so less seriously. thanks ed and johnny.

one of my favorites was the carnac skits. many don't know that johnny was an amateur magician, actually performed professionally in his early career, and developed this character from actual acts during the golden era of magic ... late 19th/early 20th century:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnac_the_Magnificent

(Carnac holds the sealed envelope up to his turban)
CARNAC: Sis boom bah.
ED McMAHON: Sis boom bah.
(Carnac rips the envelope open and removes the card)
CARNAC (reading): Describe the sound made when a sheep explodes.
or

(Carnac holds the sealed envelope up to his turban)
CARNAC: The La Brea Tar Pits.
ED McMAHON: The La Brea Tar Pits.
(Carnac rips the envelope open and removes the card)
CARNAC (reading): What do you have left after eating the La Brea Tar Peaches?

[mikejacobskc]

He seemed like a great guy with a real zest for life. For the over-40 crowd like myself, it's like another piece of our child hood dying. Rest in peace Ed McMahon

[Henri_Rochard]

I'm glad they mentioned 'Who Do You Trust'.

I still remember the couple who claimed they stood naked in front of their bedroom window every morning.

(I was quite young then.)

[connecting2thenews]

TITLE: FINAL ENTRANCE
by Jatona Walker

The man stood, patiently, before the huge Gates, awaiting his
queue to enter. While he waited he chatted with the Gatekeeper.

This was his style: curtesy, friendliness, endless humor=professionalism.

The Being on the Great While Throne raised His hand. The signal
was gven.

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates.

A figure stepped forward to greet him. "He-e-e-e-re's Ed!" Johnny
Carson announced to God and the Host of Heaven.

[Hamm33]

He was great man done lot show even late show I,m shock he was in his 80s we all going miss him even showing thing on heath care he was good. from Allen Hamm "And hereeee jhony" he was good saying that way back" too yall maber that?

[excoachken]

Why would you waste valuable space like this to beatify Mr. McMahon. Everyday in this country many people die who have contributed more than he did. He had a full life, but Americans seem obsessed with the dramatic ending syndrome, when an average Joe passes. We seem addicted to making up imaginary history and magnifying one's impact. He was an entertaining salesman, period.

[2teachk31]

I grew up on Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon and have great memories of them. May his family find peace with his passing. There are icons we will never forget and he is one of them! God bless you Ed.

[dennisall77]

Please keep this area clear of gripes right now (e.g. Jerry Lewis). Let's honor Ed w just clean, grateful comments. He sat second to Johnny for all those years and demonstrated what loyalty and dedication are all about. What a fine man and talented personality. He ALWAYS made the Tonight Show better.

[u-r-right]

M-M-MR. LEWIS? IS THAT YOU???

[dennisall77]

I guess people cannot remain positive here. Always some jerk going off and demonstrating why there is so much violence now from all the hate speech. Getta life...

[sean58z]

I remember when Ed fed a dog in front of the camera on the Tonight Show. His sales pitches for products were marketing genius. Johnny never recovered after Ed left the show. The promotions that Ed put on for the Tonight Show greatly improved the ratings.

[koko98-2009]

Don't forget all of Ed's work with Jerry Lewis and the MDA kids. Ed was a big part of that and he did it all for free. A good friend we are going to miss.

[u-r-right]

And this is why Jerry should have helped Ed more when Ed was in need toward the end. I'm sure Johnny would have if he were still around.

[erasmus111]

by u-r-right June 23, 2009 5:41 AM PDT
I thought Jerry Lewis could have/should have helped him out more.

by jgjbcmi June 23, 2009 5:58 AM PDT
And as for Jerry Lewis...maybe this will help everyone realize how selfish he is.


So what should have Jerry Lewis done? Why is he selfish?

[Benton09]

Thanks Ed and Johnny. I'm glad I was able to watch the best late night host there ever was and the best sidekick during my time.
These other guys (late night hosts), can't hold a candle to what you did!

[JWhittingtonAR]

You are absolutely correct. I watched the tonight from the early days of black & white until the last nite. These guys on today just did not have the magic that Johnny, Ed and Doc had. Johnny could blast some politician or praise him/her and it would be all over the news the next morning. Stars were made on the Tonight show. The folks they have now...nobody cares what they think; including themselves.

I miss the Tonight show every night when I go to bed. It was definitely a part of our lives. So long guys....you will be missed.

[dowell100]

Ed McMahon was a really good guy that will be missed by those who watched and enjoyed him over the years.

[Questionews]

by Illuminated1 June 23, 2009 7:01 AM PDT
Some of you guys think you have some sort of inmortal soul are really brainwashed.
There has never ever been any such evidence at all of any of it.
Science has proven we are an evolved species with the discovery and analysis of the missing link....named Ida.



Geeez......Rude!! The story is about a guy who just died! You sound like the type that would take great joy from telling a strangers 4 year old there is no Santa! How about letting people express their condolences in what ever way they want?? I suppose you stand up and call BS on the priest when at a funeral. I know many people that are atheists yet still use the term "bless you" when someone sneezes or says "******* it" when they smash their finger.

[credibility2]

I live in the Chicago-area and a local station did mention Mr. McMahon's service to his country as a fighter pilot during WWII and even should an archive photo of him in the cockpit. God bless his soul and comfort his family. He was a kind heart that made us laugh. He'll be missed. His suffering is now offer. Johnny's been waiting for you to do your shtick.

[gravyboat3000]

Thanks for the laughs.

(where's my friggin check?)

Johnny wouldn't have been the same, without Ed...

[Illuminated1]

Some of you guys think you have some sort of inmortal soul are really brainwashed.
There has never ever been any such evidence at all of any of it.
Science has proven we are an evolved species with the discovery and analysis of the missing link....named Ida.

[elvin1983]

Shut up stupid.

[mrleme]

Guess we won't see you on the other side, LOL

[mrleme]

I guess we shouldn't look for you, LOL. Stop being so angry, life is short whether or not you believe in the afterlife, be kind.

[whatsup49]

godspeed ed, godspeed.

can ya imagine the talk show that's goin' on right now in heaven? johnny and ed, paul newman and the rest of 'em? instead of a rock-n-roll heaven, we've got a talk show heaven goin' on now. ;-)

[netsnits]

as the sister in law of a marine corps ww2 and korean war vet, i think his service to his country should have been mentioned.. on the air this morning.
semper fi.
rest in peace flyboy.
thank you for your service to our country.
love, a