Hollywood Remembers Ed McMahon

Access Hollywood - June 23, 2009 8:26 AM PDT
Story photo: Hollywood Remembers Ed McMahonEd McMahon gives a thumbs up with his wife Pamela at the premiere of 'Beauty Shop' in Los Angeles on March 24, 2005 Getty PremiumAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Following the death of Ed McMahon on Tuesday, stars and friends of the TV legend shared their thoughts and memories of the 86-year-old icon with Access Hollywood.

"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." - Britney Spears

VIEW THE PHOTOS: A Look Back: Life & Times Of Ed McMahon

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"Fifty years ago, Ed and I were next door neighbors. Over the years, our friendship grew while he became one of America's favorite television personalities. We were together for years. Ed was a big man, had big talent and a really big heart. We'll all miss him." - Dick Clark

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Legends

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"Ed was full of life and joy and celebration. He will be sorely missed. He was one of the greats in show business, but most of all he was a gentleman. I miss my friend." - Doc Severinsen

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VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Men & Women Of Late Night Television

"I've lost my dearest friend. Ed was my anchor, both on the Telethon which he endowed with his unmatched class and year-round as one of the top leaders of MDA. What he gave 'my kids' will live in their hearts forever, as will the pain of his loss in mine." - Jerry Lewis

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"Ed McMahon's voice at 11:30 was a signal that something great was about to happen. Ed's introduction of Johnny was a classic broadcasting ritual - reassuring and exciting. Ed was a true broadcaster, and an integral part of Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show.' We will miss him." - David Letterman

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"Ed McMahon defined professionalism in broadcasting. We'll miss him!" - Paul Shaffer

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"He could not have been warmer. He always had a joke, always had a kind word. The Ed I met when I was 17 is the same Ed I saw last year at a Friars Club. You'll never be able to separate him from 'The Tonight Show' and from Johnny and I think Johnny was such a smart man to realize that Ed McMahon was such a powerful part of the package - it's very hard to find a second banana! He's at peace, he's at rest now and St. Peter's going 'H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Ed!'" - Kathie Lee Gifford

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"I liked him tremendously. He was just what you thought he'd be. The same on camera as off. He was affable, a team player, totally reliable and an all around good guy. Don't forget, he created the form of sidekick on television that they still use today. By the way, I never slept with him." - Joan Rivers

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"America has lost one of its great icons. Ed McMahon was a terrific entertainer and a wonderful person - he will be greatly missed." - Donald Trump

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Check back for more reactions on the death of Ed McMahon throughout the day.

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Ed McMahon - TV - Joan Rivers - Donald Trump - Late Night

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  • delym
    may god be with him,and his family ,in their time of bereavement.r.i.p. ed.
    report abuseposted July 15, 2009 2:02 PM PDT
  • Phyllis
    Rest in Peace Ed--you will always be remembered---You and that voice--God Bless.
    report abuseposted June 28, 2009 12:38 PM PDT
  • Idolobsessed424
    OMG! I am soo sad! I am a devoted giver to mda and I enjoyed watching Ed and Jerry Share stories! It is so heartbreaking! We will miss him tremendously. My heart and Prayers go out to his family and friends.
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 3:40 PM PDT
  • Idolobsessed424
    OMG! I am soo sad! I am a devoted giver to mda and I enjoyed watching Ed and Jerry Share stories! It is so heartbreaking! We will miss him tremendously. My heart and Prayers go out to his family and friends.
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 3:39 PM PDT
  • Idolobsessed424
    OMG! I am soo sad! I am a devoted giver to mda and I enjoyed watching Ed and Jerry Share stories! It is so heartbreaking! We will miss him tremendously. My heart and Prayers go out to his family and friends.
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 3:39 PM PDT
  • Legion
    Hey-oohhhhhhhhh! Ed, I will miss you very much. The days Ed & Johnny's smart-but-not-intellectually pretentious brand of comedy are disappearing, in an age when it is sorely needed. People love to talk about irreverent comedy. Big deal, it's easy & a cop-out to be irreverent. Ed was the opposite, & was funnier than today's angry so-called comics. Goo
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 3:24 PM PDT
  • Sharon
    Ed was such a huge part of the Tonight Show...he was a perfect sidekick for Johnny. Bet they're talking about "old times" right now. He also was a great asset to the MD telathons and I know he gave alot of his time to Jerrys kids.
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 1:57 PM PDT
  • Sean M
    THE AFTERLIFE GAINED A NEW SUPER STAR- SUPER NOVA OF COMEDY....! GOD SPEED , REST IN PEACE ED MCMAHON-aka Budman.... JOHNNY MUST BE SMILING & LAFFING HARD NOW....TWO GREAT TOGETHER AGAIN! no one did it better-nor ever will.
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 1:45 PM PDT
  • JosephC
    That voice will never be silenced !
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 1:36 PM PDT
  • JosephC
    That voice will never be silenced !
    report abuseposted June 23, 2009 1:36 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 31  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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