It was 1967 and Ed McMahon was a guest on the live, national
broadcast of the MDA Telethon. Suddenly, Telethon star Jerry Lewis
uttered the unthinkable: "Excuse me, I have to go to the
bathroom."
This moment was significant for a couple of reasons. First, "You
just didn't say things like that on TV back then," McMahon
said.
Second, it marked the beginning of McMahon's stalwart involvement
with MDA and the Telethon.
Meanwhile, back on the Telethon stage, Lewis' unscheduled exit
left McMahon to take the live shows reins.
"So I looked at the sheet, saw the next guest, and I introduced
them. When he wasn't back, I introduced another guest," McMahon
said.
"I did about three guests, and I look over and Jerry's standing
in the wings with his arms folded, waving, as if to say, 'Go ahead,
kid, you're doing fine.'" McMahon still chuckles about his
unconventional Telethon debut. It was followed the next year by
a multihour appearance assisting Lewis with hosting duties.
Lewis eventually asked McMahon to do the entire show with him,
and it's become a beloved tradition for both entertainers. On
Labor Day weekend, McMahon will anchor his 37th Telethon, announcing
tote board advances and filling whatever role he's called to play.
That Unmistakable Voice
 |
|
On
the 1990 broadcast, a pajama-clad McMahon surprised Lewis
and asked if he could hold down the noise so he could get
some sleep. |
|
McMahon, 81, possesses one of the most recognized voices and
faces in America.
Some know him best from his 30 years alongside Johnny Carson
on "The Tonight Show"; some from his 12 years launching
careers on "Ed McMahon's Star Search" and "The
Next Big Star"; others think of specials like "TV's
Bloopers and Practical Jokes."
McMahon's show biz career is peppered with as much variety as
the Telethon itself. He began at age 15 ballyhooing the attractions
of a local carnival. That was followed by jobs as an announcer
for a travelling bingo game and a Lowell, Mass., radio station.
His six-decade career was interrupted only by service in the
Marines, where he earned his pilot wings. In World War II, he
trained fighter pilots, and he flew 85 combat missions during
the Korean War, rising to the rank of full colonel.
His first television experience was on a Philadelphia news station.
There he eventually became host, writer and producer of more than
a dozen shows.
In 1958, McMahon met a young Johnny Carson, who was looking for
a new announcer for his game show, "Who Do You Trust?"
McMahon got the job, and the duo began a partnership that gained
unstoppable momentum when they took over at "The Tonight
Show" in 1962.
Following Mom's Advice
McMahon's volunteer work for MDA has included public speaking,
benefit performances, and media interviews about the Association's
programs.
In June 2001, McMahon represented MDA before a congressional
subcommittee to encourage more federal spending on muscular dystrophy
research.
Today, he helps guide the Association through his service on
MDA's Board of Directors. He's been given MDA's Lifetime Achievement
Award and its National Humanitarian Award for his diligent service.
Another award that hangs in his office is a plaque from Mattie
Stepanek. Mattie labeled McMahon one of his heroes and dedicated
a poem to him.
McMahon called his work with MDA "very gratifying,"
and said he gets special motivation for his efforts from meeting
the people MDA serves.
"You think you're going to be casual about it, but it gets
into your system," McMahon said. "I'm very much involved
in something that is making a change in the world, and I'm pleased
to be part of that."
He wants people who are affected by neuromuscular diseases to
know that "we're on the case and we're not going to stop
until we solve it."
In addition to MDA, McMahon serves on the Board of Directors
for the Horatio Alger Association and works with Wheelchairs for
the World.
Charitable work was instilled in McMahon by, yes, his mother,
Eleanor.
"She always cautioned me that I had to be a person that
gave things back," said McMahon, who has five adult children,
and lives with his wife, Pam, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Working Hard, Having Fun
McMahon wrote in his 1998 autobiography, For Laughing Out
Loud, "I am one of the very fortunate people who
grew up to do exactly what I spent my whole childhood dreaming
of doing, even if no one is quite sure exactly what it is that
I do."
His current projects include a weekly show on the USA radio network
called "Ed McMahon's Lifestyles Live."
McMahon returned to his sidekick roots in a television special,
"Alf's Hit Talk Show," starring as himself on the show
that aired in July on the TV Land network.
And of course, every Labor Day he's got the Telethon.
"What Jerry and I want to do every year
is give you the best variety show we can,
and then tug at your heartstrings and get
some money from you," McMahon said.
"It's a nice combination."
