Request Fee & Availability

Ed McMahon

A fighter pilot during World War II, McMahon sold vegetable slicers on Atlantic City's boardwalk to put himself through Catholic University in Washington D.C. In the 1950s, McMahon hosted a late-night interview show in Philadelphia before working as a clown on the show "Big Top." His television career was interrupted in 1952 when he was called back into the Marine Corps to fly 85 combat missions in Korea. Later, he retired from the Marines as a full Colonel. Then, in 1959, he was hired as Johnny Carson's straight man on the daytime quiz show "Who Do You Trust?" When Carson became the new host of NBC's “Tonight Show,” he took McMahon with him in a partnership that would last for 30 years. He went on to appear in television movies and host daytime game shows during the sixties and seventies. In the 1980s, McMahon teamed with Dick Clark on "Bloopers and Practical Jokes" and hosted his own long-running talent show, "Star Search." He also made commercial appearances for a multitude of products during this time. In 1994, McMahon was cast in “Love Affair” with Annette Benning and Warren Beatty. In 1999, McMahon celebrated his 50th Anniversary of working in television, which included 30 years as co-host of "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and 12 years hosting "Star Search."

Back to Search Results