Honoring and commending the career and achievements of Philadelphia's legendary "Mr. Television," Ed McMahon.

WHEREAS, Ed McMahon is a man whose career has surpassed his own dream. From his first magnetic attraction to broadcasting at the impressionable age of six, he has gone on to transform the job of announcer into a star-quality role and has become one of the most recognizable, respected and popular men in his chosen field; and

WHEREAS, Between his hosting of the popular syndicated show and weekend ratings winner,

Ed McMahon's Star Search

, which has been the launching pad for the careers of many successful show business personalities, his thirty-year run on NBC's

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,

numerous performances as host on specials and telethons, and his activities on TV and radio commercials, Ed McMahon is more familiar to most Americans than their own next-door-neighbor; and

WHEREAS, After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949, Ed McMahon moved to Philadelphia and into television, tackling his career in earnest. Soon he was host, writer and producer of more than a dozen different TV shows which was the first step in the rise of this superstar to legendary status. As a result, he became Philadelphia's "Mr. Television”; and

WHEREAS, The year 1956 marked the beginning of one of the most famous duos in television history and after four years of polishing their interplay, the team of Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon took over NBC's

The Tonight Show

. From his earnest desire to create a dramatic introduction for their premier appearance, the trademark "Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny" was born, and thirty years later, on May 22, 1992, history was made when the legendary late night institution taped its farewell show; and

WHEREAS, Ed McMahon has hosted and co-hosted several television and radio shows such as

TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes, How Do They Do That?,

the game show

Whodunnit?

and several special events including the annual

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In 1981 he was nominated for a Grammy for the recording

The Night Before Christmas,

and he has authored three books:

Here's Ed,

an autobiography,

The Art of Public Speaking

and

Superselling;

and

WHEREAS, The remarkable Ed McMahon has touched the lives of so many people outside of show business as well as by involving himself with several charitable organizations and events such as being the co-host of the annual

Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon

for over 25 years, and the Vice-President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as being on the boards of the Marine Corp Scholarship Fund and St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend the career and achievements of Philadelphia's legendary "Mr. Television," Ed McMahon.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ed McMahon as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body.

End