Ed McMahon, the US TV star who appeared as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on 'The Tonight Show' for 30 years, has died. He was 86.
His publicist, Howard Bragman, said that McMahon died shortly after midnight at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with his wife, Pam, and other family members at his bedside.
The Associated Press reports that Bragman did not give a cause of death, but said that his client had battled a "multitude of health problems the last few months".
McMahon broke his neck in a fall in March 2007 and, unable to work, had experienced financial difficulties.
A World War Two and Korean War veteran, McMahon began his television career in the 1950s and started working with Carson on a game show in 1958.
Carson took over 'The Tonight Show' in 1962 and McMahon became a household name for generations in the US through his "H-e-e-e-e-eere's Johnny!" catchphrase and as a foil for Carson's jokes.
Carson passed away in 2005.
