Television personality Ed McMahon has passed away.
The 86-year-old died early Tuesday morning at a Los Angeles hospital after a long battle with pneumonia and other ailments.
For 30 years, that signature phrase from McMahon.. ”Here’s Johnny” ushered Johnny Carson into America’s homes.
"The Tonight Show" was Johnny Carson but it was also his loyal sidekick.
"He trusted me. And the good second banana gets in and gets out without, you know, causing any damage," said McMahon during an interview.
But before McMahon was on the air, he took to the air during World War II as a fighter pilot.
College followed, and in 1949, McMahon put his booming voice to work in the early days of television in Philadelphia.
In 1957, McMahon went national as the announcer for a game show called "Who Do You Trust?". The host was Johnny Carson.
Five years later, when Carson took over "The Tonight Show", McMahon came along.
"I said Johnny, how do you see my role down here tonight. And he said Ed I don't know how I see my own role, let's just go down and entertain the hell out of them," said McMahon.
"The Tonight Show" became a late night fixture and its success allowed McMahon to branch out.
He became a frequent commercial pitchman, hosted his own 80's talent show, "Star Search" and spent four decades co-hosting Jerry Lewis' Annual Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy.
But none of McMahon’s side jobs could rival his connection with Carson.
The duo's "Tonight Show" run ended in 1992, and Carson passed away in 2005.
McMahon’s life turned in 2002.
Toxic mold problems in his Beverly Hills estate took a heavy toll on his finances.
The trouble worsened in 2007, when a broken neck curtailed McMahon’s ability to work.
His home verged on foreclosure just last year.
But it's McMahon’s days alongside Carson that fans will remember most and his daily herald for a late night king.
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