Ed McMahon's Legacy Lives On
Watching "Star Search" was a family event in my household. My mom hurried to finish cooking dinner, then we'd all sit down at the table and turn on the television. We were glued, even my dad who often slept through my dance recitals. I was particularly fond of 4 Boys & A Babe, a group of spunky young dancers who charmed audiences with their MC Hammer pants and double cartwheels. I can still remember the way Ed McMahon introduced them. I was about 8 years old and to me the whole thing was epic. He was the original Ryan Seacrest on the original "American Idol."
McMahon, with his endearing smile and distinguishable voice, was a true broadcasting icon. He got his start on "The Tonight Show" alongside Johnny Carson, a job he held for 30 years. He coined the famous catch phase, "Heeeeere's Johnny!" In addition to appearing in commercials, television and movies, McMahon wrote books and dabbled in business.
The last years of his life were plagued with financial burdens, including the foreclosure of his $4.8 million mansion in Beverly Hills. Health problems followed in 2007 when McMahon suffered a fall and broke his neck.
According to Howard Bragman, McMahon's publicist, he died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center early this morning. The cause of death has not been announced. He was 86.
"Star Search" ran from 1983, the year I was born, until 1995 - basically my entire childhood. It's hard to imagine a world without this charismatic television personality cracking jokes or delivering his classic one-liners. But his legacy lives on through all the young performers who got their start on the show.
For old time's sake, here's Ed McMahon introducing 4 Boys & A Babe to the "Star Search" stage in 1991! (Note the Hammer pants and double cartwheels!)
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