According to publicist Howard Bragman, Ed McMahon died early Tuesday morning at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center at 86 years old. Although no reason was given for the cause of death, Bragman’s only statement was that McMahon had a “multitude of health problems the last few months.”
Ed McMahon was an American comedian, game show host, announcer, and television personality. Most famous for his work on television as Jonny Carson’s announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992, and as the host of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995, he later also became well-known as the presenter of American Family Publishers sweepstakes, which arrives unannounced at the homes of winners. He subsequently made a series of Neighborhood Watch Public Service Announcements parodying that role.
McMahon annually cohosted the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. He performed in numerous television commercials most notably for Budweiser. In the 1970s and 1980s, he anchored the team of NBC personalities conducting the network’s coverage of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
