LOS ANGELES — Ed McMahon has spent the last several weeks in the hospital, where he is battling pneumonia and other ailments, his publicist confirmed Friday to The Associated Press.
The longtime sidekick to Johnny Carson on NBC's "Tonight Show" is currently in the intensive care unit of an undisclosed Los Angeles facility, AP says.
"It's serious," publicist Howard Bragman told AP of McMahon's condition, before adding, "We're hopeful."
In addition to his 30-year stint next to Carson that began in 1962, McMahon gained notoriety as the pitchman for Publishers' Clearing House, in addition to his hosting duties for "Star Search."
McMahon has struggled in recent years as the result of a fall in 2007 in which he broke his neck. Last June, he and his wife, Pamela, appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live," where they spoke about the possible foreclosure of their Beverly Hills mansion, due to McMahon's inability to work since the injury.
"If you spend more money than you make, you know what happens," he told King. "You know, a couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that. And, you know, things happen."
"We didn't keep our eye on the ball. We made mistakes," added McMahon's wife. "It's embarrassing to say the least, and it's sad, because you know, Ed's worked his whole entire life."
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