Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Former "Tonight Show" announcer Ed McMahon dies

The New York Times is reporting that Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's second banana for nearly 30 years, died earlier today at the age of 86.

For late night watchers who were too young to remember McMahon on "Tonight," he may be best remembered as something of a pop culture punchline. Recently, he's appeared with rapper M.C. Hammer on "Cash for Gold" commercials, and last year, he was forced to sell his Beverly Hills mansion after falling behind on his mortgage. Last summer, Jimmy Kimmel brought him on as a pitchman for Pontiac autos.

McMahon was also satirized on "Saturday Night Live" in sketches featuring Dana Carvey as Carson and Phil Hartman as McMahon. Hartman's "You are correct, sir!" became something of a catchphrase. "I don't remember ever saying, 'You are correct, sir!' Phil Hartman made that famous, and now I have to try my best to imitate Phil Hartman imitating me," said McMahon in an online chat several years ago.

Besides "Tonight," McMahon will also be remembered for his frequent appearances on Jerry Lewis's Muscular Dystrophy telethon, and his stints hosting "Star Search" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes." But his most lasting legacy is two words long: "Heeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!"

1 comments :

  1. Santiago R. said...

    "second banana" LOL. I dont think I had heard that expression before, but then again, Im foreign. hehe.

    I remember Phil Hartmans impression of Ed on SNL, it was great. I think I had seen Ed as a guest on one of the shows I watch too, and I also saw him on the bloopers shows. He seemed cool.