Ed McMahon Dies at 86

The man known as the late Johnny Carson's sidekick on NBC's "The Tonight show with Johnny Carson" has died.

McMahon died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center this morning. McMahon had been at the hospital's intensive care unit for several weeks, and has been ill for quite some time. For 30 years, he has been at Carson's side. Here are some of the high- and low- lights of his career:


Sirraymondbell/NBC/Carson Productions/YouTube


Before "American Idol", there was "Star Search", which premiered in 1983:"Television Program Enterprises/CBS/YouTube
McMahon hosted the show from its 1983 premiere until 1995.

He's been an announcer, and product pitchman for several products, including American Family Sweepstakes:

willdav713/YouTube

Your Video Channel/YouTube

But he'll forever be remembered as the sidekick as Johnny Carson. Here is a 1976 clip featuring the late Paul Lynde:
laughvids/NBC/Carson Productions/YouTube

Johnny Carson's final night on "The Tonight Show" will always be memorable. In this clip, Johnny, Doc, and Ed are together for the last time:
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Carson died in January 2005 at 79. And now heaven has one more sidekick.

McMahon was 86.


(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights reserved.