For 12 years, Ed McMahon hosted the popular syndicated show, ED McMAHONS STAR SEARCH. He also had a 30 year stint as announcer on THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, plus numerous performances as host on specials and telethons, and his activities on TV and radio commercials make McMahon more familiar to most Americans than their own next-door-neighbor.

McMahons first professional stint as an announcer, at the age of fifteen, was on the sound-truck of a carnival, ballyhooing the midway attractions. By eighteen hed had three summers as announcer for a traveling bingo game and had earned enough money to enroll in Boston College. He also landed a job announcing on radio station WLLH in Lowell.

World War II interrupted both college and career. McMahon joined the Marines, got his wings at Pensacola Naval Base, and became a Fighter-pilot Instructor where he taught young students carrier landings and was a test-pilot in fighters, including the sophisticated Corsair.

After the war he returned to school for a Speech and Drama major at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. , earning his Bachelor of Arts in 1949 and moving to Philadelphia and into television, tackling his career in earnest. Soon he was host, writer and producer of more than a dozen different, TV shows: a breakfast show, a cooking show at noon, host for a movie program, a pop-music record program, etc. He was Philadelphias Mr. Television.

Again war intervened. In Korea, and once more in the Marines, McMahon flew 85 combat missions and rose to the rank of full Colonel. (In all hes seen 6 years of active service and a total of 23 years in the reserves. He was commissioned an Honorary Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard.)

By the time he returned to Philadelphia, television had grown in his absence and the only slot open was a five-minute potpourri segment at the end of the 11:00 news. Within a year, McMahon got to meet Johnny Carson in-person when he was searching for a new announcer for his daytime quiz show called WHO DO YOU TRUST? He and Carson had clicked immediately. Their interactive chemistry was perfect in style, sense of humor, appearance, and in their mutual enjoyment of each other.

After four years of polishing their interplay, the team of Carson and McMahon took over THE TONIGHT SHOW. All day long before their first broadcast, McMahon mulled over the problem of a suitable dramatic introduction for their premiere appearance. Minutes before air-time he remembered the success hed had in radio with rolling his RRRs. A few moments later the trademark Heeeeres Johnny was born, and thirty years later, on May 22, 1992, history was made when the legendary late night institution taped its farewell show.

As one of Americas most recognizable personalities, he is much sought-after as a host in his own right. McMahon hosted the popular syndicated show (and weekend ratings winner), ED McMAHONS STAR SEARCH. Over 100,000 performers have auditioned and STAR SEARCH has been the launching pad for the careers of many successful show business personalities.

He is commercial spokesman for several major corporations. His thirty-year stint with Anheuser Busch has made him as closely associated with the popular brew as their trademark Clydesdale horses. He has appeared in commercials for Mercedes Benz, Nabisco, Choice Hotels, Peoples Benefit Life, Wickes Furniture, Colonial Penn Life Insurance and spokesman for the new Neighborhood Watch Program.

In 1981, McMahon was nominated for a Grammy for his rendition of Twas the Night Before Christmas (Orson Wells took the Grammy). Hes authored four books: HERES ED, an autobiography, THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, SUPERSELLLING, and FOR LAUGHING OUT LOUD...MY LIFE AND GOOD TIMES, his recent autobiography, co-written with best- selling author, David Fisher..

McMahon acknowledges the duty involved with fame and puts his popularity to work for good causes. He has co-hosted the annual JERRY LEWIS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY TELETHON for 36 years, and is a Board Member and Vice-President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He is also on the board of The Marine Corps Scholarship Fund. He was named honorary chairman of the Flying Leatherneck Marine Museum at MCAS Mira Mar. He was President of the Catholic University Alumni Association for four years. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Horatio Alger Association. He received their award in 1984 and each year he produces and emcees all of their activities in Washington, DC.

Ed has recently joined the gaming industry with full force. Ed brought back the ol Players club that Telly Savalas had made so popular, but with added incentives that can only make it a success as the new Ed McMahons Players Club. The Ed McMahon Youre a Winner slot machines should hit the casinos in the fall of this year.

Ed, also known as the man who says, you may already be a winner handing out the millions of dollars for the sweepstakes company American Family Publishers. He is continuing his path to be sure that you check out your local lottery scratchers that bear Eds resemblance and possibly your chance to win!

And now Ed McMahon, the broadcaster has come full circle with his syndicated radio show Ed McMahons Lifestyles Live which airs on Cable Radio Network as well as USA Radio Network. His show explores everything that relates to modern day living and deals with an array of issues that inspire our lifestyle.

Ed resides in Beverly Hills, CA with his wife, Pam. His niece Amanda has also graced his life and home since her mothers passing. A dog lover at heart, Eds home is also filled with an array of some precious mixtures as well. Ed has five children: Claudia, Jeff, Linda, Katherine Mary and Alex (also a Marine). He also had a son, Michael who died of cancer in 1995. And he has six wonderful grandchildren.