Ed McMahon
Biography
Ed McMahon was an American comedian, game show host, and announcer. He was born on March 6, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan. McMahon worked as Johnny Carson's announcer and sidekick on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995, and co-hosted TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes with Dick Clark from 1982 to 1986. McMahon annually co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and performed in numerous television commercials. He is known for presenting sweepstakes for the direct marketing company American Family Publishers.
Career overview
Ed McMahon was an American comedian, game show host, and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television, particularly as Johnny Carson's announcer and sidekick on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. McMahon also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995. He co-hosted TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes with Dick Clark from 1982 to 1986.
In addition to his work on game shows and variety programs, McMahon presented sweepstakes for the direct marketing company American Family Publishers. He annually co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. McMahon performed in numerous television commercials, showcasing his versatility as a performer. His extensive career in television spanned multiple genres and formats, cementing his status as a beloved and recognizable figure in American entertainment.
Throughout his acting career, McMahon accumulated a significant number of credits, with 122 known credits to his name. He was born on March 6, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan, and passed away on June 23, 2009, at the age of 86.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
126 titles- Something in the Air: The Words Four Two Story (2024) as Self (Archive Footage)
- The New York Times Presents (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Biography: Comedy Icons (2019) as Self
- Celebrity Family Feud (2008) as Self
- Game Show Moments Gone Bananas (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- Johnny Carson Celebrates Christmas (2008) as Narrator
- Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007) as Self
- The Best of The Tonight Show: Stand - Up Comedians (2007)
- Jamie Kennedy's Blowin' Up (2006)
- The Best of Carson, Volume 1 (2006)
- Carson Country (2006)
- Bewitched (2005) as Ed McMahon
- The Weather Man (2005) as Himself
- Dog Whisperer (2004) as Self - Owner of Gus
- Dog Whisperer (2004) as Self
- The Tony Danza Show (2004) as Self
- Higglytown Heroes (2004)
- Alf's Hit Talk Show (2004)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest Co-Host
- Las Vegas (2003) as Ed McMahon
- The New Tom Green Show (2003) as Self
- E!'s 101 (2003) as Self
- Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer (2003) as Self
- That '80s Show (2002) as Ed McMahon
- The Definitive Elvis 25th Anniversary: Vol. 1 The Memphis Years & The Television Years (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- The Ultimate Collection starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 70s and 80s (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s (2002)
- The Definitive Elvis: The Television Years (2002) as Self
- Scrubs (2001) as Ed McMahon
- 50 Years of NBC Late Night (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Frank Sinatra Memorial (2000) as Self
- Family Guy (1999) as Ed McMahon (voice)
- Popular (1999) as Ed McMahon
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self (archive footage)
- The Vegas Connection (1999) as Al Ross
- Let Me In, I Hear Laughter: A Salute to the Friars Club (1999) as Self
- Pitch People (1999) as Self
- Safety Patrol! (1998) as Grandpa Bozell
- Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time (1998) as Self
- Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's (1998) as Self
- Cow and Chicken (1997) as Governor #1 / Eugene Oregon / Beaver #5 (voice)
- Just Shoot Me! (1997) as Ed McMahon
- I Am Weasel (1997) as Governor #1 / Eugene Oregon / Beaver #5 (voice)
- The Tom Show (1997) as Charles 'Charlie' Dickerson
- Just Write (1997) as Luncheon Chairman
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996) as Ed McMahon
- Suddenly Susan (1996) as Ed McMahon
- Muppets Tonight (1996) as Self
- Malcolm & Eddie (1996)
- Bruno the Kid (1996)
- 'Weird Al' Yankovic: (There's No) Going Home (1996) as Self
- Pinky and the Brain (1995) as Ed McMahon (voice)
- Star Search (1995)
- Star Search (1995) as Self - Host
- Burke's Law (1994) as Hank Whittaker
- Love Affair (1994) as Self
- Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - The Final Show: America Says Farewell (1994) as Self
- Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '70s & '80s: The Master of Laughs! (1994) as Self
- Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '60s & '70s: Heeere's Johnny! (1994) as Self
- Johnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '80s & '90s: The King of Late Night (1994) as Self
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- Living Single (1993) as Himself
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- The Larry Sanders Show (1992) as Ed McMahon
- Adventures in Wonderland (1992) as Ed McMahon
- Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade (1992) as Self - Host
- Nurses (1991)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Ed McMahon (voice)
- Baywatch (1989)
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988)
- Sidewalks Entertainment (1988)
- Roseanne (1988)
- Mickey's 60th Birthday (1988) as Self
- Full House (1987)
- ALF (1986) as Ed McMahon
- The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986) as Self (archive footage)
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Ed McMahon
- Puttin' on the Hits (1984) as Host
- TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes (1984) as Self
- Newhart (1982)
- Butterfly (1982) as Mr. Gillespie
- Full Moon High (1981) as Dad - Col. William P. Walker
- The Star Maker (1981) as Lou Parker
- The Nashville Palace (1981)
- The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story (1980) as Marvin 'Marv' Jordan
- Gridlock (1980) as Henry Sherman
- Legends of the Superheroes (1979) as Host
- Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) as Self
- The Kid from Left Field (1979) as Fred Walker
- Rock 'n' Roll Sports Classic (1978) as Self - Host
- Dick Clark's Good Old Days Part II (1978)
- CHiPs (1977) as Ed McMahon
- Fun with Dick and Jane (1977) as Charlie Blanchard
- The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977) as Arab Horseman
- US Against the World (1977) as Self - Host
- Lucy Calls the President (1977) as Floyd Whittaker
- The Sonny and Cher Show (1976)
- The Captain and Tennille (1976) as Self - Guest
- The Jacksons (1976) as El mismo
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Ellery Queen (1975) as Lamont Franklin
- Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973) as Duncan
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
- The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971)
- The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
- Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) as Narrator (voice) / Bartender
- The Barbara McNair Show (1969) as Self
- Here's Lucy (1968) as Ed McMahon
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self (uncredited)
- The Incident (1967) as Bill Wilks
- Snap Judgment (1967) as Host
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Announcer
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Substitute Host & Announcer
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Concentration (1958) as Host
- Kraft Music Hall (1958) as Self
- Kraft Music Hall (1958) as Self - Host
- Dementia (1955) as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Today (1952) as Self
- Two for the Money (1952)
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Mystery Guest
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1948)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ed McMahon best known for?
Ed McMahon is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Bewitched (2005), The Weather Man (2005), Dog Whisperer (2004), Dog Whisperer (2004).
When and where was Ed McMahon born?
Ed McMahon was born on March 6, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.. They passed away on June 23, 2009.
How many credits does Ed McMahon have?
Ed McMahon has accumulated over 126 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2024.
What is Ed McMahon's background in cinema and television?
Ed McMahon was an American comedian, game show host, and announcer. He was born on March 6, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan. McMahon worked as Johnny Carson's announcer and sidekick on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995, and co-hosted TV's...
Ed McMahon by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Jacksons (1976) as El mismo — aged about 53
- Scrubs (2001) as Ed McMahon — aged about 78
- Living Single (1993) as Himself — aged about 70
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self — aged about 49
- The Simpsons (1989) as Ed McMahon (voice) — aged about 66
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996) as Ed McMahon — aged about 73
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