Ed McMahon

Biography

Ed McMahon was an American actor, comedian, and announcer who hosted game shows and worked as Johnny Carson's sidekick on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Born in Detroit and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, he broke into broadcasting at radio station WLLH-AM in Lowell, then worked in Philadelphia television at WCAU-TV. He and Carson first paired up on the ABC game show Who Do You Trust? before McMahon joined The Tonight Show in 1962, introducing the show and remaining with it until 1992. He also hosted Star Search from 1983 to 1995 and co-hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for many years, with his last appearance in 2008. His film work included The Incident (1967), Fun with Dick and Jane (1977), Full Moon High (1981) and Butterfly. Entertainment Weekly's staff placed him at the top of its list of the 50 greatest sidekicks ever.

86years old at death

Born March 6, 1923Detroit
Died June 23, 2009Los Angeles
Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20

Movie Career

Films: 5
Career span: 31 years1967 to 1998

Every film, newest first

1998Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last TimeIMDb rating 7.8
1997Just WriteIMDb rating 6.1
1981Full Moon HighIMDb rating 4.8
1977Fun with Dick and JaneIMDb rating 6.4
1967The IncidentIMDb rating 7.6

Genres

Did you know?!

A role that slipped away
McMahon was originally cast in Happy Gilmore to film the fight scene with Adam Sandler, but he backed out over the movie's crude humor and Bob Barker took the part instead.
A change of course
McMahon flew 85 combat missions as a Marine Corps spotter plane pilot during the Korean War and earned six Air Medals.
A first
McMahon's 41 appearances as co-host of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, ending in 2008, put him second only to Jerry Lewis himself.

Ed McMahon movies on Netflix

Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time1998IMDb rating 7.8as Himself
Just Write1997IMDb rating 6.1as Luncheon Chairman
Full Moon High1981IMDb rating 4.8as Dad - Col. William P. Walker
Fun with Dick and Jane1977IMDb rating 6.4as Charlie Blanchard
The Incident1967IMDb rating 7.6as Bill Wilks

Worked with

Ed McMahon made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Wallace Shawn

Martin Sheen

Alan Arkin

Beau Bridges

Jane Fonda

Jeremy PivenMarty CallnerDirector, 1 film Larry PeerceDirector, 1 film

Ted KotcheffDirector, 1 film

Films together

Wallace Shawn1 film together, 1997
Wallace Shawn's page
- Just Write1997IMDb rating 6.1McMahon as Luncheon ChairmanShawn as Arthur Blake
Martin Sheen1 film together, 1967
Martin Sheen's page
- The Incident1967IMDb rating 7.6McMahon as Bill WilksSheen as Artie Connors
Alan Arkin1 film together, 1981
Alan Arkin's page
- Full Moon High1981IMDb rating 4.8McMahon as Dad - Col. William P. WalkerArkin as Dr. Brand
Beau Bridges1 film together, 1967
Beau Bridges's page
- The Incident1967IMDb rating 7.6McMahon as Bill WilksBridges as Pfc. Felix Teflinger
Jane Fonda1 film together, 1977
Jane Fonda's page
- Fun with Dick and Jane1977IMDb rating 6.4McMahon as Charlie BlanchardFonda as Jane Harper
Jeremy Piven1 film together, 1997
Jeremy Piven's page
- Just Write1997IMDb rating 6.1McMahon as Luncheon ChairmanPiven as Harold McMurphy
Marty CallnerDirector, 1 film, 1998
All films by Marty Callner
- Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time1998IMDb rating 7.8McMahon as Himself
Larry PeerceDirector, 1 film, 1967
All films by Larry Peerce
- The Incident1967IMDb rating 7.6McMahon as Bill Wilks
Ted KotcheffDirector, 1 film, 1977
All films by Ted Kotcheff
- Fun with Dick and Jane1977IMDb rating 6.4McMahon as Charlie Blanchard

Awards

Four awards and honors.

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Ed McMahon's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Other honors
1983	Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award	Butterfly	Won
	Air Medal		Won
	Horatio Alger Award		Won
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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