Ed McMahon (2007 file photo)

A longtime mainstay of late-night American television, Ed McMahon, has died at the age of 86.

A spokesman for the announcer and television host said McMahon died early Tuesday at a hospital in Los Angeles.  The spokesman did not give a cause of death.

McMahon was best known as Johnny Carson's sidekick on the Tonight Show.  He played that part for 30 years, beginning in 1962, introducing the show with his signature line, "Here's Johnny!"

He also hosted the television talent show Star Search and appeared in several movies.

Despite all the money he earned in his long career, McMahon faced serious financial problems in recent years.  When he was forced to sell his multi-million-dollar mansion in 2008 because of personal financial troubles, he became one of the best-known casualties of the economic crisis.

McMahon had suffered from a number of health problems.  In 2007, he broke his neck in a fall and was hospitalized earlier this year with pneumonia.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.