|
|
|
June 23, 2009
Ed McMahon, 1923-2009
I'm sorry to see that Ed McMahon has died. McMahon, 86, was a household name for 30 years as the announcer and sidekick to Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. His trademark opening "Heeeeeere's Johnny!" became part of the cultural lexicon, echoed most memorably by Jack Nicholson in 1980's The Shining.He was one of the great all-time straight men, and he had what had to be the best belly laugh in the business -- a belly laugh that enabled him to endlessly endure Carson's steady stream of clever insults without seeming to be affected at all. One of my favorite examples occurred during the "Deep Throat" era, when I heard Carson speculate that if McMahon had been in the film, they'd have had to titled it "Deep Fat." To which McMahon roared louder than I'd ever heard him. The fact that he roared with laughter at such personal insults made them much funnier than they'd otherwise have been. Of course, between having worked as a street barker and served for years in the Marines, he had probably had lots of practical experience enduring insults worse than anything Carson could dish out: Born in Detroit and raised in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, McMahon began training for his future career by calling bingo games as a teen and hawking vegetable slicers on the Atlantic City boardwalk to pay college expenses.He retired from the Marines with the rank of Colonel and then later became a Brigadier General in the Army Reserves. Ed McMahon was a true American original and he will be missed. They just don't make 'em like that anymore. posted by Eric on 06.23.09 at 12:39 PM
Comments
Goodbye Ed McMahon. You will not be forgotten. Say hello to Johnny for me. Chris R · June 23, 2009 06:29 PM In the words of Jay-Z and others: Gone but not forgotten... Chrystal K. · June 23, 2009 06:34 PM What a bummer. I cannot remember a time in my life where Ed McMahon wasn't at least a distant part of. It is like a part of myself has died along with him. Have a great afterlife Ed. Ronk · June 23, 2009 06:51 PM I cannot remember a time in my life where Ed McMahon wasn’t at least a distant part of chi flat irons. runescape money · June 23, 2009 10:34 PM What sad and tragic news! So unfortante… bless his soul! runescape money · June 23, 2009 10:36 PM Post a comment
You may use basic HTML for formatting.
|
|
June 2009
WORLD-WIDE CALENDAR
Search the Site
E-mail
Classics To Go
Archives
June 2009
May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 May 2002 AB 1634 MBAPBSAAGOP Skepticism See more archives here Old (Blogspot) archives
Recent Entries
• Don't take what he says literally
• Ed McMahon, 1923-2009 • Green Jobs Come Real Jobs Go • The dire Canadian threat • Legalization A Failure • Limited Crooked Election • Your rights are an "odd divergence from federal law" • Applause For Obama • HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! • We Are On Our Own
Links
Site Credits
|
|
I believe that his wingman was Ted Williams, in Korea. I also believe that he flew the Corsair, one of the best fighters in WWII.