Ed McMahon died early Tuesday morning at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Westwood, according his publicist Howard Bragman. He passed away shortly after midnight, Bragman said. He had been in the hospital since February, suffering from complications from bone cancer. The former "Tonight Show" sidekick was 86. Braggman said McMahon's wife Pam and other loved ones were present when he passed away.

Read the rest - LA Times

walter cronkite is supposed to be very ill right now too.

Ed seemed a pleasant man.  I've many fond memories of watching he & Johnny as a kid especially the Carnac the Magnificient skits:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcF_QlhIlww&feature=related

 RIP Ed!

This came in today's email.  I think it important that people know about Mr. McMahon's service to our country.  I wasn't aware of it...

It came in under the title of "a quiz".  My personal take on this is I appreciated all three in different ways.  Including Michael's eccentricities - he did inspire me when I was younger!  I do wish more people knew of the military service aspect of McMahon's life however, so I'm posting this.  AND, I don't know how the compiler of this email knows one way or another who all got a letter from the President. 

"Ed McMahon died this week. He was a great entertainer, but prior to his stage accomplishments he was a distinguished Marine Corps fighter pilot in WWII earning six Air Medals and attaining the rank o f Colonel. He was discharged in 1946 and was later promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the CA Air National Guard.

Farrah Fawcett died this week after a long career in Hollywood as an actress.  After she was diagnosed with cancer, she became an activist for cancer treatment and devoted her last remaining years encouraging people to seek treatment.  She documented her plight on film and used it to encourage others to stay positive and upbeat despite their diagnosis and suffering.

Michael Jackson died this week.  He was perhaps one of the greatest singers of modern time.  He will also be remembered for his eccentric lifestyle that included sleeping with a chimpanzee, living in a carnival-like atmosphere at Neverland, his fascination with Peter Pan, and his numerous masks and costumes.  He also admitted to finding pleasure sleeping with young boys and paying out millions of dollars in settlements to the families of these boys despite being acquitted by a court on one allegation of sexual molestation.

QUESTION - Which of the above did the House of Representatives declare a moment of silence for today?  (Hint - It wasn't the first two.)

QUESTION - Which of the above's family received a personal note of condolence from President Obama? (Hint - It wasn't the first two.) 

Need we say more??"

Yes, R.I.P. Ed McMahon. I remember watching Star Search as a young teenager. What fun that show was! He had an amazing voice and talent with people & will be missed!