you are correct sir

The 86-year-old TV personality and former late-night sidekick died this morning surrounded by his family at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California, his agent Howard Bragman told NBCLA.

McMahon had a "multiple of health problems the last few months," Bragman said, though he declined to name the entertainer's cause of death. A person close to the TV personality told the Associated Press that he had bone cancer, among other ailments, and had been hospitalized for several weeks.

Earlier this year, McMahon had been hospitalized in intensive care with pneumonia and other illnesses.

McMahon liked to keep his role on the "Tonight Show" in perspective.

"He trusted me," McMahon said of Carson. "A good sidekick gets in and gets out without causing any damage."

He said the highlight was after Carson's monologue when the duo would banter before the guests arrived.

In an AP interview, McMahon described the exchange as "a free-for-all." Carson, who McMahon called a brother, died in 2005.

The famous TV pitchman -- who is responsible for bringing the infamous "Heeeere's Johnny!" line into the pop culture lexicon -- has promoted a number of products through the years such as Budweiser, American Family Publishers' sweepstakes and, most recently, Cash4Gold.com in a self-deprecating Super Bowl commercial.

McMahon also hosted the popular syndicated talent competition "Star Search."

But the Hollywood legend fell on hard times recently and became embroiled in financial trouble.

His home was reportedly to be placed on the auction block later this month after he fell behind $644,000 on his $4.8 million mortgage.

"Last year, when the news came out that he was potentially losing his house, he said, 'I want to stand up and tell the world that I made a mistake. I want people to know that I can go through this and they can go through this with dignity with their heads held high,'" Bragman said. "He was inspirational to others."