Beloved TV personality Ed McMahon, who became a legend as Johnny Carson’s sidekick from 1962 to 1992, has passed on at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Pam Hurn, three daughters, and two sons. McMahon suffered from bone cancer and was facing financial problems in his later years. His illness was said to have been worsened by mold in his home:

Ed McMahon, best known for his role as Johnny Carson’s No. 2 on the “Tonight Show,” died at a hospital in Los Angeles this morning, his agent said.

The 86-year-old TV personality and former late-night sidekick died this morning surrounded by his family at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California, his agent Howard Bragman said.

McMahon had a “multiple of health problems the last few months,” Bragman said, though he declined to name the entertainer’s cause of death.

A person close to the TV personality told the Associated Press that he had bone cancer, among other ailments, and had been hospitalized for several weeks.

Earlier this year, McMahon had been hospitalized in intensive care with pneumonia and other illnesses.
The famous TV pitchman — who is responsible for bringing the infamous “Heeeere’s Johnny!” line into the pop culture lexicon — has promoted a number of products through the years such as Budweiser, American Family Publishers’ sweepstakes and, most recently, Cash4Gold.com in a self-deprecating Super Bowl commercial.
McMahon also hosted the popular syndicated talent competition “Star Search.”

But the Hollywood legend fell on hard times recently and became embroiled in financial trouble.
His home was reportedly to be placed on the auction block later this month after he fell behind $644,000 on his $4.8 million mortgage.

He recently settled lawsuits against a hospital and doctors over difficulties stemming from the broken neck he suffered in fall of 2007. In 2002, he sued various insurance companies and contractors over mold in his house and collected a $7 million settlement.

[From NBC Los Angeles]

NBC LA has a phone interview with McMahon’s publicist. He says that McMahon “waged a very valiant battle, and lost his battle last night surrounded by his wife Pam… and people he loved…

“What I want people to remember is the man’s kindness, his dignity, his generosity. I want to remember really how he lived and how he touched so many people in this world. I really want that to be his legacy…

“I miss my friend…. He’s just one of the kindest people you’d ever want to meet.”

His publicist said he didn’t want to go into his health issues, and that he was an 86 year-old man with a lot of health problems. He also explained that it was Ed’s decision to go public with the news that he was losing his house, saying “‘I want to stand up and tell the world that I made a mistake and I spent more than I made, and I’m not alone in this situation. I want people to know that I can go through this and they can go through this with dignity and their head held high.’ That’s just typical of the type of person Ed McMahon was.”

That was very touching and well put. RIP Ed McMahon, you will be fondly remembered by so many people.

Photo credit: WENN.com