The former announcer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson became a household name as he appeared on TV screens across America and the world nightly, and always opened The Tonight Show with the legendary line “Heeeeeres Johnny”.

Current host of The Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien, paid tribute to Ed McMahon saying “It is impossible I think, for anyone to imagine the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson without Ed McMahon. Ed’s laugh was really the soundtrack to that show… For 30 years Ed played his part perfectly, he played it with effortless joy and sitting alongside Johnny, Ed was an indelible part of what I think is the most iconic two-shot in broadcasting history… There will never be anything like that again. Now everybody here at the Tonight Show mourns the loss of this warm and really truly funny man… Our thoughts go out to his family and to his fans everywhere… Ed, you will be missed”.

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno told The Insider “I don’t know anybody that didn’t like Ed. He was just a wonderful, wonderful guy. That was really sad. He was a terrific guy”.

Host of the Late Show on CBS, David Letterman, has also spoken about the death of Ed McMahon. Letterman said “Ed McMahon’s voice at 11:30 was a signal that something great was about to happen. Ed’s introduction of Johnny was a classic broadcasting ritual — reassuring and exciting. Ed was a true broadcaster, and an integral part of Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show.’ We will miss him”. Paul Shaffer added “Ed McMahon defined professionalism in broadcasting. We’ll miss him”.

MSNBC – “TV host Ed McMahon is dead at age 86″
Digital Spy – “‘Tonight Show’ host honours Ed McMahon”
ET Online – “Letterman Reacts To The Death Of Ed McMahon”
The Insider – “Jay Leno & Other Stars Remember Ed McMahon”
Digital Spy – “TV veteran Ed McMahon dies, aged 86″

Conan O’Brien videos paying tribute to Ed McMahon;

If you experience problems watching the embedded videos above, please click here to watch them on the official NBC website.