Ed McMahon Was an Everyman Till the End

Despite his fame, money and extraordinary résumé—he had been a Marine, pitchman, newsboy, ditch digger, talent show host and, of course, the most famous sidekick in the history of television—Ed McMahon came off as a likable everyday guy. Before his death Tuesday at the age of 86, McMahon even experienced the wrong end of the mortgage crisis, albeit with a Beverly Hills mansion.

If there’s a talk show heaven, perhaps Jonny Carson is welcoming his old sidekick with a friendly “Heeeeeeeere’s Ed.”

Watch classic McMahon “Tonight Show” moments here.

New York Times:

Despite his many business ventures, Mr. McMahon encountered hard times in his last years. He was forced to sell his Beverly Hills mansion last year after falling behind in payments on $4.8 million in mortgages, and a former lawyer sued him for nonpayment of fees.

Mr. McMahon blamed two divorces, bad money management and bad investments for his woes. “I made a lot of money, but you can spend a lot of money,” he said by way of explanation.

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AP photo / Douglas C. Pizac

Ed McMahon shakes hands with talk show host Johnny Carson in 1992 during the final taping of “The Tonight Show.”