In the glitzy world of show business, the story of Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's sidekick,
serves as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of fame and fortune.
As the faithful companion to one of America's most celebrated television hosts, he basked
in the spotlight and enjoyed the perks of celebrity life.
Then, however, his life took a tragic turn, leading him to a destitute and homeless existence
before his death.
Join FactsVerse as we delve into the compelling life of Ed McMahon, examining the events and
choices that ultimately led him from the pinnacle of success to the depths of despair.
Who was McMahon Born in Detroit, Michigan, Edward Leo Peter
McMahon Jr. was the son of Edward Leo Peter McMahon Sr., a fundraiser and entertainer,
and Eleanor (Russell) McMahon.
During his childhood, he resided in Lowell, Massachusetts, and often visited his paternal
aunt, Mary Brennan, at her house located on Chelmsford Street.
Prior to his successful career, McMahon spent three years working as a carnival barker in
Mexico, Maine, and also worked as a bingo caller at the age of 15 in Maine.
To pay for college, he sold vegetable slicers on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
His first job in broadcasting was at WLLH-AM in Lowell, which led to his television career
launch at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.
McMahon aspired to be a United States Marine Corps fighter pilot.
However, before the U.S. entered World War II, the Army, and Navy mandated that pilot
applicants complete at least two years of a college education.
Consequently, McMahon attended Boston College from 1940 to 1941.
The college requirement was so important that it persisted even after the attack on Pearl
Harbor.
After fulfilling the college requirement, McMahon embarked on his primary flight training
in Dallas, followed by fighter training in Pensacola.
There, he earned his carrier landing qualifications and received his Naval Aviator designation.
For two years, he served as a Marine Corps flight instructor in F4U Corsair fighters
before being assigned to the Pacific Fleet in 1945.
However, his orders were revoked after the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
leading to Japan's unconditional surrender.
As a Marine Corps Reserve officer, McMahon was called back to active duty during the
Korean War.
He completed 85 combat missions and was awarded six Air Medals.
Post-World War II, McMahon took advantage of the GI Bill and attended the Catholic University
of America in Washington, D.C.
He graduated in 1949.
Majoring in speech and drama, he studied under Gilbert Hartke and joined the Phi Kappa Theta
fraternity.
He continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve, retiring as a colonel in 1966.
During his tenure as Carson's sidekick on The Tonight Show, McMahon was president of
the national alumni association from 1967 to 1971.
He frequently returned to campus, particularly for homecoming events.
For nearly three decades, McMahon's signature introduction, an elongated "Heeeeeeeeeeere's
Johnny!"
became synonymous with the show.
His resounding voice and frequent laughter alongside the "King of Late Night" earned
him nicknames such as the "Human Laugh Track" and "Toymaker to the King."
His iconic opening line was even used in the 1980 horror film The Shining, where Jack Torrance
(played by Jack Nicholson) utters the phrase while pursuing his wife and child with an
axe.
In addition, McMahon's in-show commercials for The Tonight Show's numerous sponsors,
including Budweiser beer and Alpo dog food, were well-known, and he appeared in other
advertisements for these brands outside the show.
After completing his education, McMahon played a crucial role in fundraising for a theater
in honor of Hartke.
He attended the theater's dedication in 1970, alongside Helen Hayes and Sidney Poitier.
As a tribute to his contributions to the National Guard and Reserves, McMahon received an honorary
commission as a brigadier general in 1982.
In 1987, during the centennial celebration of the university, McMahon collaborated with
Bob Newhart to deliver a performance.
McMahon was later honored with a Doctor of Communication Arts degree in 1988.
Marriages Ed McMahon's love life was as varied as his
career, filled with whirlwind romance and heartache.
He exchanged vows with Alyce Ferrell on July 5, 1945, while serving as a flight instructor
in the Marines.
Their union brought four children into the world, but their love story came to an end,
and they separated in 1972, with their divorce finalized in 1974.
Despite the heartbreak, McMahon found love again and married Victoria Valentine on March
6, 1976.
Together, they adopted a daughter, Katherine Mary, in 1985.
However, destiny had other plans, and the couple divorced in 1989.
McMahon provided a staggering $50,000 per month in spousal and child support.
In a twist of fate, just three months before his Tonight Show journey concluded, McMahon
found love once again and married 37-year-old Pamela "Pam" Hurn in a ceremony near Las Vegas
on February 22, 1992.
Pam brought her son Alex into the family, and McMahon's daughter Katherine proudly stood
by their side as the best person at the wedding.
Financial woes Ed McMahon, a generous individual who has
given much to others, lost his Beverly Hills home to foreclosure after owing approximately
$644,000 in payments on a nearly $5 million mortgage loan.
Additionally, American Express secured a judgment against McMahon for nearly $750,000 in unpaid
bills, and a Washington-based company called Hix Inc. claimed he failed to repay a $51,000
loan.
In total, McMahon, who earned millions over his 50-year career, was in debt for almost
$1.5 million.
How could this television legend find himself in such financial turmoil?
His representative, Howard Bragman, believed that McMahon's financial difficulties resulted
from a combination of failing health, a mismanaged economy, and a bad housing market.
A significant factor contributing to the iconic sidekick's financial downfall was his large
heart.
According to David Fisher, who collaborated with McMahon on his autobiography, "For Laughing
Out Loud," and his latest book, "When Television Was Young," McMahon was an incredibly generous
person, often to his own detriment.
Fisher added that Ed loved making people happy.
He enjoyed carrying cash around, much of which went towards tips.
Additionally, the T.V.
legend spent a substantial amount of money supporting his third wife Pam's clothing company.
Although the designs were well-received, sold at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and
even worn by celebrities like Paula Abdul and Sharon Stone, the high-priced fashion
line eventually fizzled out.
While money continued to be spent, there was little income coming in.
Surprisingly, McMahon, who was Johnny Carson's sidekick for 30 years, revealed that he did
not receive residuals from the successful DVD box sets of "The Tonight Show."
Additionally, the 85-year-old had been unable to work since breaking his neck in a fall
in 2008.
Fisher shared a story about how, just a day or two after McMahon's injury, he chose to
honor his commitment to review the manuscript for "When Television Was Young" instead of
going to the hospital.
Career beyond 'Tonight' While Johnny Carson built his fame around
"Tonight" and retreated from the spotlight after retirement, McMahon chose a different
trajectory.
Over the years, he hosted several shows, including "The Kraft Music Hall" (1968) and the talent
competition "Star Search."
McMahon also co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, a Labor Day
weekend staple, and partnered with Dick Clark for "T.V.'s Bloopers and Practical Jokes."
Together, they became the faces of American Family Publishers' sweepstakes, appearing
on contest entry forms and T.V.
commercials.
McMahon was also well-known for his ongoing Budweiser ads.
He played supporting roles in various films, such as "Fun With Dick and Jane" (1977) and
"Just Write" (1997), and took on his first regular T.V.
series role in the 1997 W.B.
sitcom "The Tom Show," starring Tom Arnold.
In 1998, McMahon published his autobiography, "For Laughing Out Loud: My Life and Good Times,"
detailing the origins of "Tonight."
McMahon wrote that before the first show, Carson told him, "Let's just go down there
and entertain the hell out of them," which was the only advice he ever received from
Carson.
Health complications and death In the midst of a seemingly glamorous life,
darkness loomed over Ed McMahon's health.
On April 20, 2002, McMahon filed a lawsuit against his insurance company for over $20
million, claiming that he and his wife, Pamela, became ill due to toxic mold that spread throughout
their Beverly Hills home.
The mold allegedly resulted from the improper cleanup of water damage caused by a burst
pipe.
The suit, filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, also implicated members of
the McMahons' household staff and held the mold responsible for the death of their family
dog, Muffin.
At the time, this lawsuit was one of several cases related to toxic mold that had been
brought to court in recent years.
The defendants named in the suit included American Equity Insurance Co., multiple environmental
cleanup contractors, and a pair of insurance adjusters.
The lawsuit aimed to receive financial compensation for the alleged breach of contract, negligence,
and intentional infliction of emotional distress caused by the defendants.
On March 21, 2003, the lengthy legal battle concluded with McMahon being awarded $7.2
million from the various companies deemed negligent for allowing toxic mold into his
home, causing illness to him and his wife, and resulting in the death of their dog."
In March 2007, McMahon suffered injuries from a fall, and in March 2008, it was revealed
that he was recovering from a broken neck and two subsequent surgeries.
He later filed a lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and two doctors, alleging fraud,
battery, elder abuse, and emotional distress.
McMahon accused them of discharging him with a broken neck after his fall and mishandling
two subsequent neck surgeries.
On February 27, 2009, news surfaced that McMahon had been hospitalized in an undisclosed Los
Angeles facility (later identified as Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) for nearly a month.
He was listed in serious condition and admitted to the intensive care unit.
His publicist informed reporters that McMahon was being treated for pneumonia at the time,
but could neither confirm nor deny reports suggesting that he had been diagnosed with
bone cancer.
On June 23, 2009, McMahon was declared dead at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center,
Los Angeles, California.
His nurse, Julie Koehne, RN, mentioned that he passed away peacefully.
Although no official cause of death was provided, McMahon's publicist attributed his passing
to the numerous health issues he had experienced during his final months.
In addition to his wife, Pam, McMahon is survived by his children Claudia, Katherine, Linda,
Jeffrey, and Lex.
There you have it.
It's now time to hear from you.
Let us know what your favorite Ed McMahon commercial was.