Britney Spears and Conan O'Brien have expressed their loss upon learning the death of TV personality Ed McMahon early Tuesday, June 23 after long battle with cancer.
- Jun 24, 2009
AceShowbiz - Pop singer Britney Spears was quick to react upon learning news of Ed McMahon's death. She took it to her Twitter account on Tuesday, June 23, to express her loss. She wrote, "I am deeply saddened by today's news about Ed McMahon. He is responsible for giving so many artists their first shot, including myself. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed."
McMahon, who was a comedian, game show host, and TV personality, had contribution in catapulting Spears into stardom. She was featured on his show "Star Search" back in 1992, delivering a performance of Naomi Judd's "Love Can Build a Bridge".
Joining Spears to pay tribute to McMahon was Conan O'Brien. On his talk show, "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" on Tuesday, he delivered a monologue, saying "Ladies and gentlemen, before we go any further tonight we're going to change gears here because there's something very important I do need to talk about. As you've probably all heard, Ed McMahon passed away last night and this is obviously a very sad day. 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."
O'Brien went on stating, "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."
Ed McMahon, who was best known as Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" sidekick, passed away early Tuesday at Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center after long battle with cancer. He was 86. During these past years, he'd been battling numerous health problems. He, additionally, faced financial problems last year.
