Ed McMahon Dies at 86

WXYZ.COM ^ | June 23, 2009 | Staff

[La Enchiladita]

(WXYZ) - TV's ultimate sidekick Ed McMahon has died at 86.

Johnny Carson's longtime Tonight Show co-host died just after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. McMahon's death was confirmed by his publicist.

McMahon was perhaps best known for his work on the Tonight Show, where he served as announcer and co-host from 1962 to 1992. McMahon also hosted the talent competition Star Search from 1983 to 1995.

Born in Los Angeles on March 6, 1923, McMahon was raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He worked as a bingo caller and carnival barker before moving into radio and TV. McMahon found his first taste of fame as a game show host in the 1950s.

McMahon also served his country in World War II and Korea as a Marine fighter pilot. After his service he remained in the reserves until 1966, when he retired as a Colonel. He was then commissioned as a Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard.

McMahon is survived by his wife and 5 of his 6 children. A son, Michael McMahon, died in 1995.

[SampleMan]

Semper Fi to Marine Colonel Ed McMahon.

[La Enchiladita]

I noticed that as well. I’m guessing today’s FReepers don’t even know who Ed McMahon was....

[Mr. Silverback]

A hero proved in liberating strife. Semper fi and a peaceful rest, General McMahon.

[ETL]

The California State Military Museum

A United States Army Museum Activity

Preserving California's Military Heritage

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Californians and the Military

Ed McMahon

Marine Corps Aviator

 

by M.L. Shettle, Jr.

Edward Peter Leo McMahon, Jr. was born in Detroit Michigan in 1923. McMahon led a somewhat unhappy and nomadic childhood. His father traveled all over the country pursuing various financial ventures including carnival jobs and bingo games. Nevertheless, McMahon had a good lineage. His great-great-great-grandfather, the Duke of Magenta, was a marshal and president of France. The Duke's favorite sauce, named Macmahonaise in his honor, was later shortened to mayonnaise. McMahon's grandmother was the cousin of Rose Fitzgerald, mother of John F. Kennedy. Many of McMahon's summers were spent at his grandparent's in Lowell Massachusetts. McMahon's ambition was to be a radio announcer and had his first announcing job at the age of 15.

When the United States began gearing up for World War II, McMahon wanted to become a Marine fighter pilot. Since the Navy's V-5 program required two years of college, he enrolled in Boston College. When the Navy relaxed the two-year requirement, McMahon dropped out of school and signed up. In early 1943, he first went to a civilian-run Wartime Training School in Texarkana where the Navy evaluated cadets' potential by checking them out in a Piper Cub. Then came the three-month Preflight School at Athens, Georgia. McMahon received primary training at Dallas and intermediate training at Pensacola. McMahon received the single engine carrier syllabus and was assigned to the Marines. After receiving his commission and wings in early 1945, McMahon was sent to the Corsair Operational Training Unit at Lee Field, Green Cove Springs, Florida. Upon completion of training, he was "plowed back" and became an instructor in the same unit. On the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, McMahon received orders to join the Marine carrier program on the West Coast. His orders were cancelled and he returned to civilian life.

After McMahon graduated from Catholic University, he got a job in television in Philadelphia. In two years, he had become Philadelphia's top TV personality. In 1952, McMahon got his big break when he was offered a job in New York with CBS; however, he was recalled into the Marine Corps due to the Korean War. After several months of training at Miami and El Toro, McMahon arrived in Korea in February 1953. He flew 85 artillery-spotting missions in the Cessna OE Bird Dog before returning home in September 1953. McMahon returned to television in Philadelphia for several years. In 1958, he was hired as the announcer for Johnny Carson's Who Do You Trust? In 1962, Johnny Carson took over as host of The Tonight Show and took McMahon along as his announcer and sidekick. Carson and McMahon became an institution and remained on The Tonight Show for 6,583 programs over a 30-year period. Since retiring from The Tonight Show, McMahon has worked on several other TV shows and served as spokesman for various companies and charities. McMahon remained active in the Marine Reserves retiring as a full colonel in 1966.

 

Ed McMahon passed away at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on 23 June 2009.

http://www.militarymuseum.org/McMahon.html

[sport]

Mark.

[ETL]

Here’s Johnny! The Ed McMahon story - The legendary side kick of Johnny Carson - Tonight Show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvQBVMAH4FQ

Carson Show- Ed McMahon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC-25xPmX7o&feature=related

[Jack Hammer]

“Heeeeeere’s Johnny!”

“Hiyo!”

Ah, the good old days. I miss ‘em both - Johnny and Ed; no doubt they’re doing Carnac in heaven. RIP, guys...

[La Enchiladita]

That is very cool, ETL. Thank you. Starting with the nice photo, a great bio, with interesting family history connections. Then, fast forward to “He flew 85 artillery-spotting missions in the Cessna OE Bird Dog before returning home in September 1953.” Much to be proud of.

I also remember Carson’s show “Who Do You Trust?” and then his move to the Tonight Show.

I chose the above article because it did not have a “sidekick” in the title. That just doesn’t sound right as a way to describe the man and what he did in his life.

Rest in peace, Edward Peter Leo McMahon.

[sushiman]

” McMahon was raised in Lowell, Massachusetts”

Born a year after Kerouac and raised in Jack’s hometown . Wonder if they ever knew each other ?

[sushiman]

“McMahon’s grandmother was the cousin of Rose Fitzgerald, mother of John F. Kennedy “

Guess not . Jack born on the wrong side of the tracks .

[Tainan]

McMahon also served his country in World War II and Korea as a Marine fighter pilot. After his service he remained in the reserves until 1966, when he retired as a Colonel. He was then commissioned as a Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard.

I did not know this. I have been a fan of Mr. McMahon since the early '60s and never knew this.

RIP and Thanks!

[BerryDingle]

That thunderous laugh Ed had was sometimes just as funny as Johnie’s jokes.

[Clintonfatigued]

He could chortle like no one else. He’ll be missed.

[Atlas Sneezed]

no doubt they’re doing Carnac in heaven. RIP, guys...

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Maybe Johnny’s playing straight man this time?

[DoughtyOne]

It’s hard to explain what a hole in my life, Johnny and Ed made when the left the tonight show.

For the better part of thirty years, they were there to tune into. They were the old faithful stand-by, when things were or weren’t going so good.

I started watching when I was a young kid of 16 or so. I watched until they left the air.

Man what memorable late nights they provided.

Rest in peace Ed. Somewhere in heaven, they have found their village chortle. The place will be much the happier for that.

Thank you Ed.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Rest In Peace, Ed.

[supremedoctrine]

I’m sure they knew each other , but briefly.
Jack: “I’m going On the Road”
Ed: “So am I , but as a carnival barker”

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

I loved the way Johnnny would say his name - Ed. He’d kind of draw it out and emphasize the ‘d’ consonant. That in and of itself was funny stuff.

[sushiman]

Hardy har har ...