Ed McMahon Passes On To The Great Talk Show In The Sky

Ed McMahon, 86, who for nearly 30 years was Johnny Carson's affable second banana on "The Tonight Show," introducing it with his ringing trademark line, "Heeeeere's Johnny!," died early today (June 23, 2009) in Los Angeles.

According to his publicist, Howard Bragman, Ed died at Ronald Reagan Medical Center of the University of California, Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.

Bragman said McMahon had many health problems, including bone cancer and pneumonia, for which he had been hospitalized in February.

NBC Release

In a release about Ed's passing from Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of NBC, Jess said "for thirty years, a late-night ritual for millions began with Ed McMahon's booming voice introducing Johnny Carson."

Jeff's release also said "with Ed's passing, America has lost one of the greatest sidekicks in the history of the business, whose voice, along with his laughter and charm, added so much to the legacy of "The Tonight Show."

Britney Spears Tribute To Ed McMahon

Pop Princess Britney Spears posted a Tweet today on Twitter in order to remember Ed MacMahon.

It should be noted Brit got her pop start back in 1992 on the Star Search stage where the blonde 10 year old sang Naomi Judd's "Love Can Build a Bridge".

Although many Ed as Johnny Carson's sidekick, he was also on Star Search.

Britney's tweet said about Ed "he is responsible for giving so many artists their first shot, including myself. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed."

Edward Leo Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr.

Born March 6, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan, Ed was an American comedian, game show host, announcer, and television personality.

Most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's announcer on Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992, and as the host of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995, he later also became well-known as the presenter of American Family Publishers sweepstakes, which arrives unannounced at the homes of winners.

He subsequently made a series of Neighborhood Watch Public Service Announcements parodying that role.

Ed annually co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. He performed in numerous television commercials, most notably for Budweiser.

In the 1970s and 1980s, he anchored the team of NBC personalities conducting the network's coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Ed appeared in several films, including The Incident (1967), Fun With Dick and Jane (1977), Full Moon High (1981), and Butterfly (1982), as well as briefly in the film version of Bewitched (2005). According to Entertainment Weekly he is considered one of the "greatest sidekicks".

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