Ed McMahon Biography

Fast Facts

• Was a supporter of the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund and the United Negro College Fund, and also frequently appeared on the annual telethon supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association with Jerry Lewis
• Became a Marine Corps fighter pilot in 1944 and served as an instructor and test pilot during World War II; he later returned to service for the Korean War, earning six air medals
• Studied Electrical Engineering at Boston College and later graduated from Catholic University of America in 1949
• Worked as a bingo announcer at carnivals during high school
• Started out as the producer and co-host of radio variety show "The Take Ten Show" in 1949
• Also appeared in several films, including "Fun With Dick and Jane" in 1977 and "Slaughter's Big Rip-Off" in 1973
• First worked with Johnny Carson on the quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" before Carson insisted that he join him on "The Tonight Show" when he took over for Jack Paar in 1962
• In addition to "The Tonight Show," he is remembered as the host of the talent show "Star Search" and as the spokesman for American Family Publishers with Dick Clark
• Best known as a comedian, announcer, and game show host who was Johnny Carson's sidekick on "The Tonight Show" for 30 years
• At one point in the early 1950s, he was appearing on 13 different television programs running concurrently on Philadelphia stations