Ed McMahon Dies After Battle with Cancer

A TV icon is gone, Ed McMahon died this morning at the age of 86. The legendary television host, and an icon we all grew up watching on TV, lost his brave battle with cancer just after midnight. McMahon's publicist has confirmed the news that Ed McMahon died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

In the recent months, fans of Ed McMahon read news stories of financial battles, lawsuits and deteriorating health that plagued McMahon. In the recent months, McMahon was hospitalized several times for health setbacks, including a diagnosis of bone cancer.

The television world will never be the same, but we will always have fond memories of "Heeerrrre's Johnny!"

Edward "Ed" McMahon Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 6, 1923. He made a name for himself in the television industry. He was an announcer on Johnny Carson's show, Who Do You Trust, during the 1950's and 1960's. He also worked on the tonight show for thirty years, from 1962 to 1992, known as Johnny Carson's sidekick. He hosted the famous Star Search talent show from 1983 to 1995, what we could possibly compare to a modern day American Idol. He appeared in many television commercials, co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and became the figurehead of American Family Publishing, the sweepstakes program that arrives to winner's homes, unannounced.

Mr. McMahon attended Boston College and The Catholic University of America, majoring in speech and drama, and graduating in 1949. At the young age of only 15 he began his first job, as a bingo caller in Maine. He was trained as a United States Marines fighter pilot during World War II, and also served as a flight instructor and test pilot until his discharge in 1946. He remained in the reserves after that period. Upon his college graduation, he was re-activated into Marine duty once again. He served in Korea, and many of his ancestors had notable military careers as well.

Mr. McMahon is married to the lovely Pamela McMahon, and has six children; three sons (Jeffrey, Michael Edward, Lex) and three daughters (Claudia, Katherine, Linda). He suffered a severe fall in 2007, and sustained a broken neck, requiring two painful corrective surgeries. In 2008, McMahon announced that he was $644,000 behind in payments on his $4.8 million home, and feared foreclosure on his Beverly Hills estate.

Mr. McMahon has been hospitalized for most of 2009, undergoing treatment for pneumonia and other medical issues, and was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. Reports have also confirmed that he has bone cancer.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. McMahon's family during this extremely tough time.

Sources:
Legendary Television Host and Comedian Ed McMahon Dead at 86