One of the World's Best Known Announcers Ed McMahon was born with incredible drive, learning the value of self-reliance and hard work at age 10 while living in a cold-water flat in Bayonne, New Jersey, using his afternoons selling magazine subscriptions door to door to earn his first bicycle. He earned his wings as a Marine Flighter Pilot in 1944 and became an instructor teaching carrier landings and a test pilot. After World War II, he returned home to support a wife and child, attend college, and sell pots and pans door to door. His television career was interrupted in 1952 when he was called back into the Marine Corps. He flew 85 combat missions in Korea. Later he retired from the Marines as a full Colonel. In 1999, he celebrated his 50th Anniversary of working in television which included 30 years as co-host of "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, and 12 years hosting "Star Search." ( Horatio Alger Jr. Award 1984 )
Highlights:
Once hawked " Morris Metric Slicers " on the Atlantic City Boardwalk
Was Johnny Carson's sidekick on the "Tonight Show" for 30 years
