Acting · Detroit, Michigan, U.S. · Born March 6, 1923
Edward Leo Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. (March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009) was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television 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. He co-hosted TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes with Dick Clark from 1982 to 1986. He also presented sweepstakes for the direct marketing company American Family Publishers (not, as is commonly believed, its main rival Publishers Clearing House). McMahon annually co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. He performed in numerous television commercials, most notably for Budweiser. In the 1970s and 1980s, he anchored the team of NBC personalities conducting the network's coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. McMahon appeared in several films, including The Incident, Fun With Dick and Jane, Full Moon High, and Butterfly, as well as briefly in the film version of Bewitched. According to Entertainment Weekly, McMahon is considered one of the greatest "sidekicks".
MovieSomething in the Air: The Words Four Two Story
2024
as Self (Archive Footage)
TVThe New York Times Presents
2020
as Self (archive footage)
TVBiography: Comedy Icons
2019
as Self
MovieJohnny Carson Celebrates Christmas
2008
as Narrator
TVCelebrity Family Feud
2008
as Self
Game Show Moments Gone Bananas
2008
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project
2007
as Self
The Best of The Tonight Show: Stand - Up Comedians
2007
MovieThe Best of Carson, Volume 1
2006
MovieCarson Country
2006
Jamie Kennedy's Blowin' Up
2006
MovieThe Weather Man
2005
as Himself
MovieBewitched
2005
as Ed McMahon
The Tony Danza Show
2004
as Self
TVDog Whisperer
2004
as Self - Owner of Gus
TVHigglytown Heroes
2004
TVAlf's Hit Talk Show
2004
TVLas Vegas
2003
as Ed McMahon
MovieBiography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer
2003
as Self
E!'s 101
2003
as Self
The New Tom Green Show
2003
as Self
TVJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
as Self - Guest Co-Host
MovieThe Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s
2002
MovieThe Ultimate Collection starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 70s and 80s
2002
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Definitive Elvis: The Television Years
2002
as Self
MovieThe Definitive Elvis 25th Anniversary: Vol. 1 The Memphis Years & The Television Years
2002
as Self (archive footage)
TVThat '80s Show
2002
as Ed McMahon
TVScrubs
2001
as Ed McMahon
Movie50 Years of NBC Late Night
2001
as Self (archive footage)
MovieFrank Sinatra Memorial
2000
as Self
MovieLet Me In, I Hear Laughter: A Salute to the Friars Club
1999
as Self
MoviePitch People
1999
as Self
TVPopular
1999
as Ed McMahon
TVFamily Guy
1999
as Ed McMahon (voice)
Television: The First Fifty Years
1999
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Vegas Connection
1999
as Al Ross
MovieJerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time
1998
as Self
MovieOff the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's
1998
as Self
MovieSafety Patrol!
1998
as Grandpa Bozell
TVCow and Chicken
1997
as Governor #1 / Eugene Oregon / Beaver #5 (voice)
The Tom Show
1997
as Charles 'Charlie' Dickerson
TVI Am Weasel
1997
as Governor #1 / Eugene Oregon / Beaver #5 (voice)
TVJust Shoot Me!
1997
as Ed McMahon
MovieJust Write
1997
as Luncheon Chairman
Movie'Weird Al' Yankovic: (There's No) Going Home
1996
as Self
TVSabrina, the Teenage Witch
1996
as Ed McMahon
TVBruno the Kid
1996
TVSuddenly Susan
1996
as Ed McMahon
TVMalcolm & Eddie
1996
TVMuppets Tonight
1996
as Self
TVPinky and the Brain
1995
as Ed McMahon (voice)
TVStar Search
1995
MovieLove Affair
1994
as Self
TVBurke's Law
1994
as Hank Whittaker
MovieJohnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - The Final Show: America Says Farewell
1994
as Self
MovieJohnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '80s & '90s: The King of Late Night
1994
as Self
MovieJohnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '70s & '80s: The Master of Laughs!
1994
as Self
MovieJohnny Carson - His Favorite Moments from 'The Tonight Show' - '60s & '70s: Heeere's Johnny!
1994
as Self
TVLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
as Self - Guest
TVLiving Single
1993
as Himself
MovieWalt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade
1992
as Self - Host
TVThe Larry Sanders Show
1992
as Ed McMahon
TVThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
TVAdventures in Wonderland
1992
as Ed McMahon
TVNurses
1991
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as Ed McMahon (voice)
TVBaywatch
1989
MovieMickey's 60th Birthday
1988
as Self
TVRoseanne
1988
TVLIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
Sidewalks Entertainment
1988
TVFull House
1987
TVALF
1986
as Ed McMahon
MovieThe Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
1986
as Self (archive footage)
TVAmazing Stories
1985
as Ed McMahon
TVPuttin' on the Hits
1984
as Host
TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes
1984
as Self
TVNewhart
1982
MovieButterfly
1982
as Mr. Gillespie
TVThe Nashville Palace
1981
MovieFull Moon High
1981
as Dad - Col. William P. Walker
MovieThe Star Maker
1981
as Lou Parker
MovieGridlock
1980
as Henry Sherman
MovieThe Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story
1980
as Marvin 'Marv' Jordan
MovieThe Kid from Left Field
1979
as Fred Walker
MovieLegends of the Super Heroes
1979
as Self
TVLegends of the Superheroes
1979
as Host
MovieDick Clark's Good Old Days Part II
1978
MovieRock 'n' Roll Sports Classic
1978
as Self - Host
MovieLucy Calls the President
1977
as Floyd Whittaker
TVCHiPs
1977
as Ed McMahon
MovieUS Against the World
1977
as Self - Host
MovieThe Last Remake of Beau Geste
1977
as Arab Horseman
MovieFun with Dick and Jane
1977
as Charlie Blanchard
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
1976
as Self (archive footage)
TVThe Captain and Tennille
1976
as Self - Guest
TVThe Jacksons
1976
as El mismo
TVThe Sonny and Cher Show
1976
TVEllery Queen
1975
as Lamont Franklin
MovieSlaughter's Big Rip-Off
1973
as Duncan
TVThe Midnight Special
1972
as Self
TVThe Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
1971
TVThe Flip Wilson Show
1970
as Self
MovieSwing Out, Sweet Land
1970
as Narrator (voice) / Bartender
The Barbara McNair Show
1969
as Self
TVHere's Lucy
1968
as Ed McMahon
TVRowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
as Self (uncredited)
MovieThe Incident
1967
as Bill Wilks
Snap Judgment
1967
as Host
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self - Announcer
TVThe Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
TVKraft Music Hall
1958
as Self
Concentration
1958
as Host
MovieDementia
1955
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Two for the Money
1952
TVToday
1952
as Self
TVThe Bob Hope Show
1950
as Self
TVWhat's My Line?
1950
as Self - Mystery Guest
TVMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1948
