TV’s most famous sidekick, Ed McMahon passed away Tuedsay morning after a long battle with cancer. He was 86 years old.

Ed was most famous for sitting alongside Johnny Carson during what was arguably the golden age of NBC’s Tonight Show, from 1962 to 1992, welcoming a nightly national audience with his opening cry of “Heeeeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny.”

Your grandparents most likely remember him from the late night show, but most of us know him as the host of that before it’s time talent show, Star Search. Star Search gave us Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Leann Rimes…so thanks to Ed for that.

ed_mcmahon_dies