Ed McMahon Biography 

American television personality Ed McMahon is best known as the voice behind The Tonight Show, spouting his famous line “Heeeeere’s Johnny” for three decades.

Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr was born March 6, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Eleanor Russell and Edward Leo McMahon. Born into show business, McMahon’s father was also an entertainer and fundraiser. With his parents, McMahon subsequently grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts.

He pursued his secondary education from Boston College as well as The Catholic University of America. He majored in both drama and speech.

McMahon’s signature voice was first introduced to the world when he was just fifteen. At this age, he worked in Maine as a bingo caller. In a similar vein, he served as a carnival barker for nearly three years. He even funded his college education through work as a pitchman of kitchen goods in Atlantic City.

Interrupting his career in order to serve in the military, McMahon joined the United States Marines to fight during World War II. Serving as a fighter pilot, his service was complete in 1946. He decided to remain in the reserves, however, and found himself in the Korean War in early 1953. He did not officially retire until 1966, but by that time, he had already earned the rank of colonel.

Upon returning to the States, McMahon shifted his career focus to radio. He worked at WLLH-AM before pursuing a career in television.

His first televised gig began in 1952 when he agreed to be the announcer for Bandstand. Featuring musical guests such as Smokey Robinson and Dion DiMucci, McMahon was with the program until 1958.

Continuing his work as an announcer, McMahon began circling the game show circuit with Missing Links, Concentration, Who Dunnit?, and others. When McMahon eventually left Missing Links, he was replaced by noted television personality Dick Clark.

McMahon is also noted for his stint from 1957 to 1962 with Who Do You Trust? It was the first time McMahon and Johnny Carson would work together but certainly not the last.

When Who Do You Trust? came to an end, McMahon landed his most notable role in popular culture. In that year, he began announcing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He fulfilled this role until 1992. During those three decades, McMahon became known for his boisterous personality, infectious laugh, and signature line “Heeeeeere’s Johnny.”

The duo of McMahon and Carson proved popular with audiences. The gregarious McMahon was a perfect foil for the much shyer Carson.

McMahon was parodied by Weird Al Yankovic in his 1987 song “Here’s Jonny.” The Polka Party! single was a spoof on “Who’s Johnny” by El Debarge.

Outside of his various television programs, McMahon is also known as the American Family Publishing sweepstakes presenter as well as the co-host of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.

Making headlines recently, McMahon suffered a broken neck when he fell in mid-2007. With misfortune continuing to come his way, June 2008 brought reports that McMahon was struggling financially and desperately attempting to avoid foreclosure on his home. McMahon openly discussed the issue on Larry King Live.

In his personal life, McMahon has been married three times. His first marriage was to Alyce Ferrill, and it lasted from 1949 to 1976. They had four children.

He then married Victoria Valentine, and they were together until 1989. They also had one child.

He is currently married to Pam Hurn. They wed in 1992, and McMahon legally adopted her son from a previous relationship.