Fans of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson are in mourning today after learning about the death of Carson's legendary sidekick Ed McMahon.
McMahon was known for his trademark "Heeeere's Johnny!" when introducing Carson. McMahon, 86, passed away at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles today. The cause of death has not been released but McMahon was in poor health for several months.
McMahon, a fixture on The Tonight Show for nearly 30 years, would sit next to Carson on a couch after the introduction and ham it up with the comedian. McMahon knew when to stay quiet and when to laugh at Carson's jokes, which were often at McMahon's expense.
A tremendous pitchman, McMahon sold products ranging from beer to dog food.
The everyman was a spokesman for several banks and American Family Publishers national sweepstakes. "You may already have won $10m!" he'd say.
McMahon was also the host of the talent show Star Search in the 1980s.
