(WXYZ) - TV's ultimate sidekick Ed McMahon has died at 86.
Johnny Carson's longtime
Tonight Show co-host died just after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. McMahon's death was confirmed by his publicist.
McMahon was perhaps best known for his work on the
Tonight Show, where he served as announcer and co-host from 1962 to 1992. McMahon also hosted the talent competition
Star Search from 1983 to 1995.
Born in Los Angeles on March 6, 1923, McMahon was raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He worked as a bingo caller and carnival barker before moving into radio and TV. McMahon found his first taste of fame as a game show host in the 1950s.
McMahon also served his country in World War II and Korea as a Marine fighter pilot. After his service he remained in the reserves until 1966, when he retired as a Colonel. He was then commissioned as a Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard.
McMahon is survived by his wife and 5 of his 6 children. A son, Michael McMahon, died in 1995.
