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McMahon was born in Detroit, but traveled around through out his childhood because of his fathers job as a pitchman. He went on to Boston College and then joined the Marines and spent two years as a flight instructor. McMahon then attended Washington's Catholic University as a drama and speech major in hopes of getting on the radio. After graduating her got a job at a Philadelphia radio station and later got his own local radio show. From there he was invited to New York to meet Johnny Carson.
Ed McMahon was there to set up Carson's jokes for years and also served as the emcee for Star Search.