Bob Barker, Game Show Legend, Dead At 99
Bob Barker, the American game show icon who hosted The Price is Right for 35 years, is dead at the age of 99. His representative, Roger Neal, told TMZ that he died at his Los Angeles home on Saturday. Apart from his hosting legacy, Barker was also known for his advocacy as an animal rights activist.
Iconic game show host, Bob Barker, has passed away at the age of 99.
Born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington, Bob Barker spent much of his childhood on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. After his father’s tragic death in 1929, his family eventually settled in Springfield, Missouri. During high school, Bob Barker met his future wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon; their deep bond, which began with an Ella Fitzgerald concert date in 1939, lasted until she was pronounced dead from lung cancer in 1981.
During World War II, Bob Barker served as a Navy fighter pilot and later graduated summa cum laude from Drury College with an economics degree. After attempting life in Florida, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he had his own radio show, The Bob Barker Show. Eventually, he got his television break.
Prior to today’s news announcing that Bob Barker is dead, the talented entertainer spent over 50 years as a prominent host on national television. Noteworthy was his almost two-decade position as host of Truth or Consequences, which led to him being recognized as television’s “most durable performer” in the Guinness World Records. In 1956, despite lacking prior television experience, he was handpicked by creator Ralph Edwards as the host, a choice they annually marked on December 21 with a special celebratory toast.
Bob Parker was a World War II veteran, serving as a Navy fighter pilot, but he never saw combat as Japan surrendered while he was on his way to the Pacific.
Taking on the hosting duties for a revival of The Price Is Right that had initially aired in the ’50s and ’60s, Bob Barker remained in this role for an impressive 35 years starting from 1972. Throughout his career, he garnered 19 Emmy Awards, including 14 as the host of The Price Is Right, four as the show’s executive producer, and a distinguished lifetime achievement award. His contributions were further acknowledged with his induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2004.
Bob Barker will be remembered not only for his storied television career but also for his broader impact. He was a renowned animal activist who testified before Congress against using elephants in shows and took a stand during the 1987 Miss USA pageant, refusing to host if contestants wore real furs. Although producers complied that year, Barker resigned the following year after two decades of hosting when they continued to award fur coats as prizes.
Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right for 35 years, starting in 1972, before retiring in 2007 when Drew Carey took over.
The news that Bob Barker is dead is deeply saddening, but when reflecting upon the later years of his life, it’s evident that he faced numerous health challenges, including episodes of skin cancer and several significant falls, which make his passing not entirely unforeseen. Despite these hardships, Barker led a long, impactful life, leaving behind a legacy that will undoubtedly continue to inspire many. While Bob Barker and his beloved wife, Dorothy, didn’t have children of their own, their extended family remains in our heartfelt thoughts and prayers during this challenging period.
