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"I knew Ed a long time," Bragman told NBC4 television in Los Angeles. "He was just one of the kindest people you ever wanted to meet. People responded to his authenticity."
Although his career spanned more than 50 years, it was McMahon's 30-year involvement with Carson on "The Tonight Show" that cemented his status as one of the entertainment industries most beloved figures.
He became known for his signature introduction line for Carson -- a protracted "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" -- as well as being a constant source of gags and punchlines with Carson.
His friendship and career with Carson began on the 1950s game show "Who Do You Trust" before the duo decamped together to join "The Tonight Show" in 1962. Carson became the longest-serving host in the late-night talk show's history, fronting 30 seasons up until 1992 when Jay Leno took over.
During that time, McMahon also hosted the talent-spotting television contest "Star Search" for 12 years from 1983 to 1995.
Jerry Digney, McMahon's longtime personal publicist during the "Tonight Show" and "Star Search" heydays called McMahon the "most courtly, good-natured person you could every meet."
"All those years on the Carson show, he never forgot that he was the second banana, a role to which he brought elegance, humor and a new sense of importance," Digney said.
McMahon's rich baritone was also heard in hundreds of commercials, touting everything from Budweiser beer to dog food and financial planning.
In the early 1980s his voice was reportedly used in commercials promoting 37 different banks around the United States.
In recent years McMahon made headlines for the wrong reasons when it emerged that he had defaulted on the mortgage for his multi-million dollar home in Beverly Hills and faced foreclosure.
"If you spend more money than you make, you know what happens. A couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that," he told CNN's Larry King in an interview broadcast last June.
McMahon's mortgage was eventually purchased by an outside party and McMahon lived in the home up to his death with wife of 17 years, Pamela. Two previous marriages had produced five children.
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Although his career spanned more than 50 years, it was McMahon's 30-year involvement with Carson on "The Tonight Show" that cemented his status as one of the entertainment industries most beloved figures.
He became known for his signature introduction line for Carson -- a protracted "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!" -- as well as being a constant source of gags and punchlines with Carson.
His friendship and career with Carson began on the 1950s game show "Who Do You Trust" before the duo decamped together to join "The Tonight Show" in 1962. Carson became the longest-serving host in the late-night talk show's history, fronting 30 seasons up until 1992 when Jay Leno took over.
During that time, McMahon also hosted the talent-spotting television contest "Star Search" for 12 years from 1983 to 1995.
Jerry Digney, McMahon's longtime personal publicist during the "Tonight Show" and "Star Search" heydays called McMahon the "most courtly, good-natured person you could every meet."
"All those years on the Carson show, he never forgot that he was the second banana, a role to which he brought elegance, humor and a new sense of importance," Digney said.
McMahon's rich baritone was also heard in hundreds of commercials, touting everything from Budweiser beer to dog food and financial planning.
In the early 1980s his voice was reportedly used in commercials promoting 37 different banks around the United States.
In recent years McMahon made headlines for the wrong reasons when it emerged that he had defaulted on the mortgage for his multi-million dollar home in Beverly Hills and faced foreclosure.
"If you spend more money than you make, you know what happens. A couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that," he told CNN's Larry King in an interview broadcast last June.
McMahon's mortgage was eventually purchased by an outside party and McMahon lived in the home up to his death with wife of 17 years, Pamela. Two previous marriages had produced five children.
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