LOS ANGELES, Jun 23, 2009 / FW/ — “Heeeere’s Johnny!,” is now silent. Ed McMahon, who for 30 years introduced Johnny Carson on ‘The Tonight Show’ with his signature prologue, passed away Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 86.
Read more at: Ed McMahon, America’s Top Second Banana, Dies
Edward Leo Peter “Ed” McMahon, Jr. (March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009[1]) 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.
McMahon annually cohosted 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.
McMahon 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”.
