ABOVE: In the midst of his personal financial crisis and home foreclosure, Ed McMahon became an octogenarian gansta rap sensation.
Famous for his nightly announcement, “Heeere’s Johnny,” longtime Tonight Show with Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon had one of the most famous voices in television. It came as some surprise when the straight-laced spokesman reinvented himself as a gangsta rap star later in life, even if it was only for an ad campaign.
In recent months, the star made headlines as his multi-million dollar home became involved in foreclosure proceedings. McMahon had fallen behind on his payments after breaking his neck in 2007 and being forced to miss work.
McMahon’s financial woes reportedly earned him the attention of Donald Trump who was rumored to have offered to bail him out. Ultimately, it was a rap video created for a finance company that proved to be McMahon’s big payday. The clip of the octogenarian rapping about his financial troubles in the video above became an unexpected internet hit.
AP reports that McMahon passed away just after midnight, and although a specific cause of death has yet to be released, McMahon’s publicist, Howard Bragam, reportedly said McMahon had a “multitude of health problems the last few months.”
McMahon’s Tonight Show co-host position has been recast in recent months, as host Conan O’Brien and announcer Andy Richter took over the late night slot from Jay Leno.
Ed McMahon was 86 years old.
