Sad news from Hollywood over the weekend – Bob Barker died on Saturday at the age of 99. While he’s best known as the long-time host of The Price is Right, he actually got his start on the radio! He worked in radio part-time while going to college, and moved to California in 1950 to pursue a broadcasting career. While hosting a radio show in Los Angeles, the producer of the gameshow Truth or Consequences happened to be listening and lied Barker’s style and voice. He was asked to audition to be the new host. Barker got the job, hosting the show from 1956 until 1975.
In early 1972, producers were shopping a modernized version of The Price is Right to TV networks. CBS was interested, but only if Barker was the host. On September 4 that year, Barker began hosting the show, which he would continue until his retirement in 2007. In 1987, Barker did what many hosts almost never did at the time – he stopped dying his hair! He had to get permission from the head of daytime programming, but once he let his hair go gray ratings of The Price is Right increased.
Barker announced his retirement in 2006. After 50 years on television, his last show aired on June 15 2007. He did make a few guest appearances on the show after his retirement. He appeared on an episode in 2009 to promote his autobiography. Then in 2013 he made another guest appearance to celebrate his 90th birthday. His final appearance was for an April Fools Day show in 2015, where he took Drew Carey’s place at the show’s intro.
Barker was an outspoken advocate for animal rights. In 1982, he started ending episodes of The Price is Right with his signature catchphrase “This is Bob Barker, reminding you to help control the pet population – have your pets spayed or neutered.” He supported organizations like PETA, United Activists for Animal Rights, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He also started his own charity in 1994, the DJ&T Foundation, which has given millions of dollars to animal-related causes.
Barker won 19 Primetime Emmy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. In 1998, CBS renamed “Stage 33” to the “Bob Barker Studio” after the 5,000th episode of The Price is Right. He was named the Greatest Game Show Host of All Time by Time magazine in 2007. Learn more here.
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