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.

At a time in his life when he should be playing golf and looking forward to visits with his grandkids, veteran Hollywood actor/side kick, Ed McMahon has been reduced to public embarrassment just to make ends meet. Ed has been hired to film a viral video for FreeCreditReport.com in which he raps, wears some ridiculous street clothes and trots around with some ho-licious girls.

I’m just going to assume you all know the story of how Ed so broke that he would take this shameful gig…if  not Google it. It involves his wife and a serious shopping addiction.

ET will have some early clips of Ed and his honies and the sure to be stuck in your head jingle on Friday’s show. On a postive note, Ed and the catch tune that is sure to come along with this commercial will no doubt be etched in our minds forever more. A’la the “Where’s the Beef?” lady