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Ed McMahon 1923 -2009

Remembering the life and career of legendary television showman Ed McMahon.

Veteran television personality Ed McMahon died in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 23 after a battle with bone cancer. He was 86 years old.

Ethan Miller-Getty Images

Born in Detroit, McMahon got his start in showbiz during the early-1950s. He appeared in shows such as "Big Top" and "Do You Trust Your Wife?" McMahon's seen here, in 1951, on the set of the Philadelphia-based TV show "Strictly For the Girls," where he was a performer.

McMahon joined NBC's "The Tonight Show" alongside host Johnny Carson, right, in 1962. He'd go on to become one of TV's most well-known sidekicks with his signature phrase "H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Johnny!"

NBC-Reuters

Throughout his 30 year run on the late-night powerhouse, McMahon helped welcome a number of quirky guests. The 1969 wedding of singer Tiny TIm (second from right), and Miss Vicki pulled in 35 million viewers.

Associated Press

When his longtime friend and colleague Johnny Carson died of emphysema in 2005, McMahon was deeply saddened. He wrote a book, "Here's Johnny!" (Penguin Group, 2006), in his honor.

Str-Reuters/Bettman/Corbis

During their final taping of the "Tonight Show" on May 22, 1992, McMahon and Carson reminisced about the early years.

Douglas C. Pizac-AP

McMahon married three times; he wed his last wife, Pamela Hurn, in 1992. McMahon had six children from previous marriages (one of whom died in 1995) and was an adopted father to Pamela's son.

Julia Malakie-AP

Over the last year, McMahon's financial troubles made headlines. In June 2008, he faced foreclosure on his Beverly Hills home of 18 years. Real estate mogul Donald Trump offered to buy the property and lease it back to McMahon. Ultimately, the home was sold to a private buyer.

McMahon began making guest appearances on "Jerry Lewis's Annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Telethon" in 1966. Two years later, McMahon became a co-host. Here, he and Lewis watched as the telethon reached a record donation total of $50.5 million in 1997.

Last year's telethon marked McMahon's 42nd year of having participated in the fundraising event.

Kim D. Johnson-AP

McMahon's career wasn't all about TV. In 2002, he partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice to help spread the word about their National Neighborhood Watch initiative.

Joyce Naltchayan-AFP

A retired Marine fighter pilot, McMahon served in the Korean War. He often spoke at events honoring war veterans. In 2003, he came to Washington to host the 50th year commemoration of the Korean War.

Frank Johnston-The Washington Post

When Jerry Lewis was no longer able to host an entire telethon due to poor health, McMahon, along with various other celebrity guests, shared the duties.

Jane Kalinowsky-AP

McMahon had been hospitalized for over a month before it was made public in February that he was battling bone cancer.

Matt Sayles-AP

Ed McMahon is survived by his wife, Pamela, and six living children.

Mario Anzuoni-Reuters

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor Dee Swann Text Editor Andrea N. Browne

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This Story As Second Banana, Best of the Bunch Article \| In a Broadway musical about burlesque called "Top Banana," back in the early 1950s, the title tune's lyrics advised, "If you want to be the top banana, you've got to start at the bottom of the bunch." It was a fruity restating of an old American maxim. Obituaries: Ed McMahon,'Tonight Show' Stalwart, Dies Ed McMahon 1923 -2009 `Tonight' Sidekick Ed McMahon Dies in LA at 86 Celebritology: When I Met Ed McMahon Post Mortem: Gooooodbye Ed McMahon!		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		Related Farrah Fawcett: 1947 - 2009 Photos \| Remembering the career and life of the actress, television star and '70s pop culture icon. Eye on Entertainment Photos \| Shining the spotlight on famous faces in the worlds of movies, music and more, including Sandra Bullock, Ray Romano Anne Hathaway and more. The Many Faces of Sacha Baron Cohen
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This Story As Second Banana, Best of the Bunch Article \| In a Broadway musical about burlesque called "Top Banana," back in the early 1950s, the title tune's lyrics advised, "If you want to be the top banana, you've got to start at the bottom of the bunch." It was a fruity restating of an old American maxim. Obituaries: Ed McMahon,'Tonight Show' Stalwart, Dies Ed McMahon 1923 -2009 `Tonight' Sidekick Ed McMahon Dies in LA at 86 Celebritology: When I Met Ed McMahon Post Mortem: Gooooodbye Ed McMahon!		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		Related Farrah Fawcett: 1947 - 2009 Photos \| Remembering the career and life of the actress, television star and '70s pop culture icon. Eye on Entertainment Photos \| Shining the spotlight on famous faces in the worlds of movies, music and more, including Sandra Bullock, Ray Romano Anne Hathaway and more. The Many Faces of Sacha Baron Cohen
» This Story:Read +\|Watch +\| Comments