Most people remember him as Johnny Carson’s sidekick or as the pitchman for a sweepstakes. But many will remember when Ed McMahon had his own show in Branson. McMahon died in Los Angeles today. He was 86. Branson Public Relations company owner Linda Ward calls him "a gentleman."

McMahon’s variety show, Ed McMahon and Friends, ran from 2001-2003.

Ward also remembers him for his approachability. She says she sometimes had to re-draw his daily schedule because he didn’t want to leave a place until he’d talked to everybody who wanted to talk to him.

McMahon also recorded the opening to the Gene Williams’ Branson television show that Williams used for eight years.

 

Upload Bob Priddy’s interview with Linda Ward (6:13 mp3)