Ed McMahon's journey with a microphone began at the tender age of 15, when he took on the role of a "caller" at a bingo game in Maine. This marked the starting point of his illustrious career, which would span decades and take him to various stages, fairs, and carnivals across the state.
Before donning his microphone, McMahon served his country as a Marine fighter pilot during World War II. After the war, he pursued a unique venture, selling vegetable slicers on Atlantic City's famous boardwalk to fund his education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
The 1950s saw McMahon hosting a late-night interview show in Philadelphia and later working as a clown on the popular program Big Top (1950). His next assignment took him to the Korean War, where he served as a fighter pilot once more. Upon his return, he resumed his television career, which would propel him to stardom.
In 1959, McMahon joined forces with Johnny Carson, becoming his trusted sidekick on the daytime quiz show Who Do You Trust? (1956). When Carson took over The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (1957),which later became The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962),McMahon followed suit, solidifying his position as Carson's trusted companion for the next 30 years. This tenure brought McMahon unparalleled success, wealth, and fame.
McMahon's foray into film resulted in critically acclaimed performances in dramatic roles, such as The Incident (1967),and comedic roles, like Fun with Dick and Jane (1977). He also appeared in made-for-TV movies and hosted daytime game shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
The 1980s saw McMahon team up with Dick Clark on Super Bloopers and Practical Jokes (1984) and host his own long-running talent show, Star Search (1983). He continued to make commercial appearances for a multitude of products and even landed a role as himself in the 1994 film Love Affair, starring Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
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