Bob Barker, the charismatic longtime host of “The Price is Right” and an outspoken animal rights activist, has died. He is 99 years old.
Barker died at his home Saturday morning in Los Angeles. His rep confirmed his departure to TMZ. The game show legend died of natural causes.
“I think it would be good if people remember me as a man who loved all living things and did as much as possible to make our world better for animals – and also did some television shows,” Barker said in 2007 when asked how he would like to be remembered.
Barker is a 19-time Daytime Emmy award winner: 14 for Outstanding Game Show Host for “The Price Is Right” and four Outstanding Game Show awards as executive producer of the beloved program.
The small screen’s most enduring silver fox was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1995 Daytime Emmys. Barker received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976.
Barker was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2008.
Bob Barker appears with contestants during the filming of the special premiere episode of “The Price Is Right,” in Los Angeles on April 17, 2007. AP
Born Robert William Barker in Darrington, Washington, on December 12, 1923, Barker spent most of his childhood on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, South Dakota. He is a member of the Sioux tribe.
“I always boasted about being part of the Indians, because they were a people to be proud of — and the Sioux were the greatest warriors of them all,” Barker said in 1962.
“They have been called the greatest light cavalry in human history. And I never rode a horse without falling.”
Portrait of Bob Barker from “The Price is Right” in 1970.CBS via Getty Images
Bob Barker pays a sad visit to the grave of his beloved wife Dorothy, who died in 1981, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles on August 18, 2017.Coleman-Rayner
Barker attended Drury University on a basketball scholarship until he left to join the Naval Reserve in 1943 during World War II to train as a fighter pilot but never saw active duty.
Barker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon, in 1945. The couple never had children. Gideon died in 1981.
During this 2017 visit, Barker cleaned his wife’s grave, which is next to the plot and headstone reserved for himself, and placed a flower on it.Coleman-Rayner
Bob Barker and the “Price Is Right” contestants, circa 1970s. Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Also in 1945, Barker returned to Drury to earn a degree in economics.
Barker got his first media job at KTTS-FM Radio in Springfield, Mississippi, during college. He later became news editor and announcer at WWPG 1340 AM in Palm Beach, Florida, before moving to California to advance his broadcasting career.
He hosted his own radio show in Burbank, “The Bob Barker Show,” for six years, and was hosting a radio show in Los Angeles when he was tapped to replace original host Jack Bailey on the game show “Truth or Consequences.”
Barker was seen visiting his late wife at Forest Lawn Cemetery with her caretaker again on November 17, 2017. JS/Miguel Aguilar, PacificCoastNews
Barker hosted “Truth or Consequences” from 1956 to 1975, and in 1972, was asked to host and produce the CBS revival of “The Price is Right.”
He did so for more than three decades until his last episode aired on June 15, 2007.
The then 83-year-old Barker – who also hosted the Miss Universe pageant for many years – officially handed over her hosting duties alongside comedian Drew Carey.
Holly Hallstrom, Bob Barker and Janice Pennington attend the party to celebrate Pennington’s book “Husband, Lover, Spy” on January 13, 1994. Ron Galella Collection via Getty
“I know I can’t be Bob, and I’m not going to try to be Bob,” Carey said upon taking the home baton. “We went out for lunch, and his advice was ‘Don’t try to copy me. Make your own show.”
“I’m often asked what I liked most about my years with ‘Price,’ and the first thing that comes to mind is … the money, of course,” Barker added at the time of his retirement.
“All kidding aside, there’s a lot to love. I have had the pleasure of working with such a dedicated and talented cast and crew for 35 wonderful years.”
Bob Barker during “The Price Is Right” – A Special Tribute to Bob Barker on CBS Television City.WireImage
“Especially close to my heart is the ability that our broad popularity has given me to remind our entire audience every day of the importance of bathing and neutering your pets,” Barker said of her famous exit sign, which she says at the end of each episode beginning on in 1982.
In 1994, former “Price” model Dian Parkinson sued Barker for a reported $8 million for alleged sexual harassment following a wrongful termination.
She claims she was forced to perform oral sex with Barker in his dressing room “about twice a week” for three and a half years, and fears she will be fired if she refuses.
Barker protested that he had started “a bit of hanky-panky” and had to have a consensual relationship with Parkinson for a year and a half. A judge dismissed the wrongful termination charge in the suit but let the sexual harassment charge stand. Then, in 1995, Parkinson dropped the whole shebang, citing medical stress related to the lawsuit (a bleeding ulcer) and his inability to afford a costly legal battle.
Parker pictured on “The Price” in 1972.Courtesy Everett Collection
A year later, fellow “Barker Beauty” Holly Hallstrom claimed in a lawsuit that she was fired from the show because she refused to provide false information to the media about Parkinson’s lawsuit as Barker allegedly wanted her to do.
Barker countersued for defamation and the case was settled out of court.
In 1996, Barker made a fan-favorite cameo in “Happy Gilmore,” in which he famously outwitted Adam Sandler’s smart-ass title character with his hilariously iconic line: “The price is wrong, bitch!”
Barker claimed that a stunt double had been hired for the fight, but he asked to do his own stunts.
“I did ‘The Price’ until 2007 and I didn’t do a single show that the audience didn’t want to talk about ‘Happy Gilmore,'” Barker said in a 2013 interview with “CBS Mornings.”
“They’ll say ‘Can you really whip him? Can you beat him in real life?’ I’d say, ‘Are you kidding me? Adam Sandler couldn’t whip Regis Philbin.’ They’ll laugh, they love that.”
Bob Barker, then 93, out for a walk in LA on November 29, 2017. MEGA
Barker released his memoir “Priceless Memories” in April 2009, which he co-wrote with former Los Angeles Times book review editor Digby Diehl.
Barker suffered several health scares during his long life.
In September 1999, he underwent emergency surgery to repair a life-threatening blocked artery on the left side of his neck.
Barker hosted “The Price Is Right” for 35 years.CBS via Getty Images
Barker had many bouts of skin cancer throughout his life due to frequent tanning.
In 2015, he fell outside his LA home and injured his left knee. Barker was taken to hospital and received stitches to the forehead.
He suffered another less serious fall in June 2017.
Barker was rushed to hospital in October and November 2018 due to severe back pain.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
