Ed McMahon Dead At Age 86

[blackcauldron85]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/161447 ... tory.jhtml

http://www.people.com/people/article/0, ... 99,00.html

He had been battling cancer, and in January he had been hospitalized for pneumonia.

He was a part of my childhood- I used to watch "Star Search" every week. RIP.

[Elladorine]

I used to really enjoy watching him and Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show in the summers when I grew up (couldn't stay up that late when I was in school).

I thought it was really cool of Donald Trump to help him out financially when he was having so many problems from being sick and out of work in recent times.

He'll be missed.

[dvdjunkie]

From the very beginnings, Ed McMahon was a 'heck of a nice guy'. I remember him from the first Johnny Carson game shows, and when he followed Johnny to the "Tonight Show", I knew that it was going to be a fun time on television. Johnny and Ed were the only ones I watched late nights, and Ed will be missed from his great hosting job on "Star Search". There are a lot of talents out there today because of that program.

He will also be remembered for his roles in movies like "Slaughter's Big Rip Off", "The Incident" and "Fun With Dick & Jane".

RIP Ed McMahon, you will be missed.

[PixarFan2006]

I never really watched anything he was in, but may he rest in peace.

[PeterPanfan]

I, too, watched "Star Search", and while I know that's probably not one of his most memorable gigs, I loved it, and I'm sure he will be dearly missed.

[buffalobill]

I watched him on the Tonight Show the last 25 or so years he & Johnny did it and nobody ever did it or will do it better. He was a class act and will be missed. RIP Ed.

[Luke]

I think all it takes is one advance notice that someone is ill to prepare you for this kind of news, particularly for someone in their 80s. Though it is sad, of course, it was anticipated a while back and thus not so shocking. Nevertheless, Ed McMahon was someone who remained in the news up until the end, and thus there was the feeling that he was still active and open for new adventures (did that Gold4Cash Super Bowl commercial just debut this year or was it last year)?

Anyway, I can't pretend I watched the Tonight Show when he and Carson were around, but I always liked the idea of a supportive sidekick on the couch. I actually remember him in that role from the two-part episode where ALF hosted the Tonight Show and then the short-lived TV Land show from 2004 seemingly inspired by it. He was also one of those personalities that you needn't have been familiar with to instantly be comfortable watching. I also enjoyed his as-himself guest appearances on sitcoms like "The Cosby Show" and "Scrubs."

[AwallaceUNC]

I also have fond memories of him from "Star Search" and even long after he's been a regular part of nightly television, he's still remained a TV legend who can be easily referenced, and often is. Sad to see him go; he will be missed.

-Aaron