Bob Barker: Legendary 'The Price is Right' Game Show Host and Animal Rights Activist Dead at 99 Due to Natural Causes
Bob Barker has won 11 Emmys as a Game Show host of 'The Price is Right.'
Iconic game show host and animal rights activist Bob Barker has passed away at the age of 99, RadarOnline.com has learned.
Barker reportedly died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, August 26, due to natural causes.
Bob Barker hosted CBS's 'The Price Is Right' from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history.
Throughout his life, Barker faced several health issues.
He had multiple bouts of skin cancer, and he suffered from various falls that sent him to the emergency room. His health scares became more frequent in recent years, but he remained resilient, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he took self-isolation in stride.
Barker began his hosting career on 'Truth or Consequences' on December 31, 1956.
Barker became a household name as the longtime host of the popular game show The Price Is Right. However, his career in game shows began when he was discovered by legendary producer Ralph Edwards. Edwards heard Barker on his radio show and immediately recognized his talent, hiring him for television.
In 1956, Barker started hosting the hit show Truth or Consequences, which he continued to star in until 1975.
Throughout his career, he also hosted other game shows such as Dream Girl of '67, Tattletales, and even served as the host of the Miss Universe pageant. However, it was The Price Is Right that he is most famously known for, having produced and hosted the show until his retirement in 2007.
In 1982, Barker began ending The Price Is Right episodes with the phrase: 'This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population — have your pets spayed or neutered.'
After Barker retired from the iconic game show, comedian and actor Drew Carey took over hosting duties, and the show continues to be immensely popular to this day.
Barker's contribution to the world of game shows is unparalleled, and his charismatic presence will be sorely missed.
Bob Barker made several guest appearances on shows such as The Huckabee Show, Spongebob Squarepants and WWE Raw.
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Aside from his work in game shows, Bob Barker appeared in various TV shows and films, often playing exaggerated versions of himself.
His memorable role alongside Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore and his portrayal as Neil Patrick Harris' potential father in How I Met Your Mother showcased his versatility as an actor.
Barker's personal life was marked by tragedy when his wife, Dorothy Jo, passed away from lung cancer in 1981. They did not have any children, and Barker never remarried. However, according to TMZ, he had extended family members who cared for him in his later years.
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CBS released a statement following the announcement of Barker's passing. They said, "We lost a beloved member of the CBS family today with the passing of Bob Barker."
"During his 35 years as host of THE PRICE IS RIGHT, Bob made countless people's dreams come true and everyone feel like a winner when they were called to 'come on down.'" They continued, "In addition to his legendary 50-year career in broadcasting, Bob will be remembered as a dedicated animal rights activist. Daytime television has lost one of its most iconic stars."
Barker's contributions to television game shows, as well as his dedication to animal rights activism, have left an irrefutable mark on American culture.
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