RIP Ed McMahon

[brian]

Famed TV Personality Ed McMahon Dies At 86
McMahon 'Tonight Show' Sidekick For 30 Years

LOS ANGELES -- NBC News reported Tuesday that Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's longtime sidekick on the "Tonight Show," has died.

The network home of the "Tonight Show" received confimation of McMahon's death from his publicist, Howard Bragman.

McMahon was 86.

According to Bragman, McMahon died shortly after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, and was surrounded by his wife, Pam Hun and other family members.

Bragman did not disclose McMahon's cause of death, but noted that his client had a "multitude of health problems the last few months."

McMahon began his television career as an announcer on television legend Dick Clark's "Bandstand," in 1952.

McMahon's work with Carson began in 1956, when he was hired as a sidekick on Carson's quiz show "Do You Trust Your Wife." From there, he joined his colleague on "Tonight Show" in 1962, and worked alongside Carson for 30 years until the TV host's retirement.

As Carson's famed announcer, McMahon became famous for creating the catchphrases "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!" and "Hi-oooo!"

The television icon also hosted the talent show "Star Search" and co-hosted "TV Bloopers And Practical Jokes" with fellow television legend Dick Clark. He later became a mainstay on commercials as the presenter of giant checks for the American Family Publishers sweepstakes.

Over the years, McMahon was also a staple on several game shows and variety shows, including "Match Game," "Hollywood Squares" and "Laugh In." He also appeared as himself on several television shows, including "The Cosby Show," "Full House," "ALF," "The Simpsons" and "Just Shoot Me!"

He also took on the occassional fictional role, and starred in such films as the 1977 comedy "Fun with Dick and Jane" and the 1979 TV movie "The Kid from Left Field." He also appeared in roles on such television shows as "Newhart" and "Baywatch."

McMahon was born March 6, 1923, in Detroit, and served as a Marine fighter pilot during WWII. After retiring as a colonel, the decorated pilot was called back to service during the Korean War.

He was married to his third wife, Hun, since 1992. McMahon's first two marriages, which produced five children, each ended in divorce.

McMahon's bankruptcy proceedings brought the aging Californian back into the limelight in the past year. His financial problems were preceeded by a broken neck in 2007, which reportedly left McMahon unable to work.

[Xjmt]

I don't understand how anybody can make as much money as he did and blow it?

Some people I know never liked Ed McMahon but I always enjoyed the banter between him and Carson.