Edward Leo Peter “Ed” McMahon, Jr. (March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009) was most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson’s sidekick, announcer and second banana on The Tonight Show from 1962 through 1992.
Many people did not realize he also was on Carson’s earlier ABC game show Who Do You Trust.
In addition MacMahon hosted the original Star Search from 1983 to 1995.
He co-hosted TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes with Dick Clark from 1982 to 1998.
Many people remember McMahon in the 1990’s as the spokesperson for Publishers Clearing House (PCH), and a lucky winner would have Ed and crew show up at their doorstep with a large million dollar check.
But in reality that never happened and according to Forbes and other sources, he worked for American Family Publishers (AFP), and rarely left the studio or handed out checks.
McMahon annually co-hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon from 1973 to 2008.
In the 1970s and 1980s, he anchored the team of NBC personalities conducting the network’s coverage of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
McMahon appeared in several films, including The Incident, Fun With Dick and Jane, Full Moon High, & Butterfly, as well as briefly in the film version of Bewitched.
He also performed in numerous television commercials.
According to Entertainment Weekly, McMahon is considered one of the greatest “sidekicks”.
On February 27, 2009 it was reported that McMahon had been in an undisclosed Los Angeles hospital (later confirmed as Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) for almost a month. He was listed in serious condition and was in the intensive care unit.
McMahon died on June 23, 2009, shortly after midnight at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. No formal cause of death was given, but McMahon’s publicist attributed his death to the many health problems he had suffered over his final months.
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Johnny and Ed were like Tommy and Dickie Smothers-a straight man and a comic. And hilarious! 🙂
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He and Carson were a matched set. I remember one night back in the 80s that Ed showed up hammered and Carson played up to his condition. It made some great viewing.
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I did wonder what happened to him.
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