Ed McMahon (1923 - 2009)
Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 by Travis Cody in
Ed McMahon died yesterday. He was 86.
Mr McMahon was a Marine fighter pilot during World War II. He was also an instructor pilot and a test pilot for a time. He was in the Reserves after WWII until he was called back to serve in Korea where he flew 85 missions in O-1E Bird Dogs. These are unarmed tactical air control aircraft that fly spotting missions for artillery. He retired as a Colonel in the Reserves in 1966. Mr McMahon eventually was commissioned Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard.
Mr McMahon is probably best known as Johnny Carson's "sidekick" for 30 years. We all know the "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny" introduction.
He was also the host of Star Search for 12 years, as well as the presenter and spokesperson for American Family Publishers sweepstakes. For many years he may have been as synonymous with Budweiser beer as the Clydesdale horses.
I'll remember watching him every Labor Day as the co-host of the Muscular Distrophy Association telethon. He worked with Jerry Lewis in front of the camera for 41 years. Mr McMahon was the one who introduced the corporate sponsors, and interrupted Jerry often during the last few hours of the show as the millions piled up. He often walked over in the last hour to remind Jerry of the last year's total, before calling for that final timpani and the rolling of Jerry's coveted $1 more than the previous year.
Mr McMahon's passing really hit me hard yesterday. Jerry Lewis, Ed McMahon, and the telethon have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom taught me that honor is in the act of service rather than the type of service. The telethon reinforced that lesson, and provided the first place where I could learn to serve. And when my choice to serve as a Marine was lost, I had the telethon to remind me that I could still make a difference.
Mr Lewis, MDA national chairman, said yesterday, "Ed was a dear, dear friend. We were always making jokes, cracking each other up. He cared deeply about people with muscle diseases. On the Telethon, he was my right-hand man – it’s hard to imagine doing the show without him. Ed also performed many services for MDA behind the scenes. Of the thousands of celebrities who’ve helped ‘my kids’ during the last 50-plus years, none has given more, and given more gladly, than Ed McMahon."
Edward Leo Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. (6 March 1923 – 23 June 2009)
May he rest in peace. Nice tribute Trav..