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Bob Barker, the amiable host of “The Price Is Right,” the beloved game show with the longest television run in American history, and a prominent advocate for animal rights, passed away on Saturday at the age of 99 at his residence in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles.
The news of his passing was confirmed by his spokesperson, Roger Neal. Mr. Barker graced daytime television for an impressive fifty years. He first gained fame as the host of “Truth or Consequences” from 1956 to 1974 and later became an icon on “The Price Is Right” starting in 1972.
His remarkable career as the host of “The New Price Is Right,” which premiered on CBS as a refreshed and more exciting adaptation of the original show, spanned over 35 years.
Additionally, he presented a weekly syndicated nighttime version from 1977 to 1980. With his skill and dedication, Mr. Barker won an astounding 14 Daytime Emmy Awards as the host of “The Price Is Right” and received four more as its executive producer. In 1999, he was honored with a lifetime achievement Emmy.
When asked about the show’s long-lasting success, he once remarked, ‘All our games are rooted in prices, which resonates with everyone.’ Ironically, he admitted to not being knowledgeable about the cost of things and believed he would fail as a contestant on his own show.
Mr. Barker earned widespread recognition for his unwavering commitment to animal rights. In 1988, he resigned as master of ceremonies for both the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants due to their practice of awarding fur coats as prizes.
He also voiced his concerns about the mistreatment of animals by their trainers on the sets of various films and television series. Every episode of “The Price Is Right” concluded with his reminder, ‘Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.’
Throughout his tenure, more than 40,000 participants heard the announcer’s enthusiastic call to ‘come on down!’ and received prizes totaling over $200 million, ranging from beach blankets to Buicks.
Born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington, Robert William Barker experienced the early loss of his father, Byron, a power line foreman who passed away in 1929 due to injuries sustained from a fall. Shortly after, his mother, Matilda (Tarleton) Barker, became a teacher on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, South Dakota.
When Mr. Barker was 13, his mother remarried Louis Valandra, a tire salesman, and the family relocated to Springfield, Missouri. He was awarded a basketball scholarship to Drury College in Springfield but interrupted his studies to join the Naval Aviation cadet program when World War II erupted.
However, his combat assignment was delayed by the abrupt end of the war, causing Mr. Barker to be discharged as a lieutenant junior grade. He returned to Drury College, where he majored in economics and graduated with top honors in 1947.
Even before graduating, he began working in radio at KTTS in Springfield, fulfilling various roles such as disc jockey, news writer, sportscaster, and producer. After college, he continued his career at WWPG in Palm Beach, Florida, and KWIK in Burbank, California. He married Dorothy Jo Gideon, his high school sweetheart, in 1945, and despite her passing in 1981, Mr. Barker never remarried.
Mr. Barker is survived by his half-brother, Kent Valandra, while fellow animal rights activist Nancy Burnet, a close friend, serves as one of the executors of his estate. In 1956, Mr. Barker received his big break when producer Ralph Edwards discovered him on KNX, a Los Angeles radio station, and invited him to audition for “Truth or Consequences.”
The highly popular game show, which originated on radio in 1940, required contestants to perform daring stunts. He secured the position and formed a lifelong friendship with Mr. Edwards. During the initial offer to host “The Price Is Right” in 1972, Mr. Barker remained the host of “Truth or Consequences,” juggling both roles for two years.
Following that period, Mr. Barker became one of the most sought-after television personalities, hosting not only “The Price Is Right” but also the Rose Bowl parade and the Pillsbury Bake-Off during much of the 1970s and 1980s. He also made occasional appearances in movies, often portraying a comical caricature of himself.
One of his most memorable roles was in the 1996 comedy film “Happy Gilmore.” In the movie, he enthusiastically took part in a fight scene with the protagonist, Happy Gilmore, portrayed by Adam Sandler, a former hockey player turned golfer.
To numerous viewers, “The Price Is Right” stood as one of television’s last bastions of wholesomeness. This perception was tested in 1994 when Dian Parkinson, a model on the show for nearly two decades as one of the renowned Barker’s Beauties, filed a lawsuit against Mr. Barker alleging sexual harassment.
In October 2006, Mr. Barker officially announced his retirement, stating, ‘On Dec. 12, I will turn 83 years old and I have decided to retire while still feeling youthful.’ His final appearance as the host of “The Price Is Right” was recorded on June 6, 2007.
After an extensive search, the talented comedian Drew Carey was selected as Mr. Barker’s successor in July 2007. In an interview with The Times, Mr. Carey praised Mr. Barker as a ‘legend’ and commended his compassionate approach towards contestants.
Mr. Barker made guest appearances on the show in 2009 to promote his autobiography, ‘Priceless Memories,’ and returned in 2013 to celebrate his 90th birthday.
In 2015, he made a surprise appearance as the unannounced guest host, an amusing April Fool’s Day prank. He jokingly pledged to return when he reached his centennial milestone.
‘People ask me, ‘What do you miss most about ‘The Price Is Right?’’ And I say, ‘The money,’’’ Mr. Barker shared in a 2013 interview with Parade magazine. ‘But that is not altogether true.
I miss the people, too.’ Mr. Barker left an enduring legacy as a beloved television icon and a tireless advocate for animal welfare. His commitment to promoting kindness and compassion will always be remembered.