June 23, 2009
Ed McMahon, 1923-2009
Boy, do I miss Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon, the once and future king of late night TV and his trusty wingman. Carson was always fun to watch, a gentleman and a pro, and McMahon provided a warm Irish bluster to play off Carson's waspy Midwest reserve.
The irony of their on-air relationship is that McMahon was an officer during World War II, a Marine pilot during Korea, as well, retiring from the Air National Guard as a brigadier general. Carson spent the war as an enlisted man in the navy, dungarees and dixie cups. Carson used to joke about the role reversal, but I don't think I'd ever seen a picture of McMahon during the war.
There are a many obituaries running today highlighting McMahon's years on the Tonight Show, with photos of him in his dotage. I've always liked those obituaries that show the subjects not as elderly, rheumy-eyed pensioners, but rather as they were in their prime, strong handsome men and gorgeous gals in dresses straight out of a '40s Warner Bros. film.
So, let me do you the favor of a couple of shots of Ed McMahon in his prime.
Here's McMahon in uniform during the Big One, looking quite dapper. He was good enough in the cockpit to get instructor duty, training the guys heading overseas.
This shot was taken in 1951, when McMahon was hosting his own TV show in Philadelphia. Although he spent decades at Carson's side, McMahon always had solo gigs lined up, too.
Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon ended their 30-year run in 1992, and late nights just haven't been the same for me -- and millions of other Americans of a certain age -- ever since.
Rest in peace.
Posted by Mike Lief at June 23, 2009 10:11 PM
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Comments
I concur that late nights have not been the same. Thank you for this. It was nice to see.
Posted by: Thin Ice, Sr. at June 24, 2009 05:37 AM
That picture of the jarhead is unsat. His hair is too long, he's uncovered, his hands are in his Army handwarmers, and his gig line is off. No wonder Navy Carson was his superior.
Posted by: LCDR at June 24, 2009 09:01 AM