Britney Spears is opening up about the passing of one of the nation’s most beloved television icons. Ed McMahon passed away in Los Angeles after a lengthy illness. He was 86.

The former product pitchman and Tonight Show announcer is best remembered to children of the ’80s and ’90s as the very well-dressed host of the TV talent competition Star Search – a gig that gave the star the opportunity to meet some of today’s biggest pop crooners before they were famous.

Britney Spears was one of them and the singer credits McMahon with giving her her “first shot” as an artist. A 10-year-old Britney appeared on the McMahon-hosted program in 1992, turning in a performance of “Love Can Build A Bridge.”

“I am deeply saddened by today’s news about Ed McMahon,” Britney tweeted Tuesday. “He is responsible for giving so many artists their first shot including myself. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.”