Bob Barker, the amicable host of “The Price Is Right,” America’s longest-running game show, and a prominent advocate for animal rights, passed away at the age of 99 at his home in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. The news of his death was confirmed by his spokesperson, Roger Neal.
For half a century, Mr. Barker graced daytime television as the host of “Truth or Consequences” from 1956 to 1974, and most famously, starting in 1972, as the host of “The Price Is Right.” He commenced his 35-year tenure as the host of “The New Price Is Right,” which was a refreshed and modernized version of the original show, and later hosted a weekly syndicated nighttime version from 1977 until it ended in 1980.
Throughout his remarkable career, Mr. Barker estimated that over 40,000 contestants enthusiastically responded to his trademark call to “come on down!” and walked away with a combined total of approximately $200 million in prizes, ranging from beach blankets to brand-new cars, by accurately guessing the prices of various items.
Mr. Barker’s remarkable achievements were celebrated with 14 Daytime Emmy Awards as the host of “The Price Is Right” and four additional awards as an executive producer. Furthermore, he received a special lifetime achievement Emmy in 1999. Mr. Barker believed that the enduring popularity of the show stemmed from its relatability, as all the games were centered around prices that everyone could identify with. However, he confessed that despite his extensive involvement in pricing games, he personally had no clue about the actual prices of things. He jokingly admitted that if he were ever a contestant on his own show, he would be a complete failure.
Aside from his television work, Mr. Barker was revered for his unwavering commitment to animal rights. In 1988, he resigned as the master of ceremonies for both the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants due to his opposition to the practice of awarding fur coats as prizes. He also actively protested against the mistreatment of animals by trainers on the sets of various movies and TV shows. Each episode of “The Price Is Right” concluded with Mr. Barker’s signature call to action: “Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.”
Robert William Barker was born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington. His father, Byron, worked as a power line foreman and tragically passed away in 1929 from injuries he sustained in a fall from a pole several years prior. His mother, Matilda Barker, became a teacher on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, South Dakota shortly after his father’s death.
Reflecting on his childhood, Mr. Barker reminisced about growing up in an environment reminiscent of the Old West, where cowboys tied up their horses at hitching rails in his small town.
When Mr. Barker turned 13, his mother married Louis Valandra, a tire salesman, and they relocated to Springfield, Missouri. He received a basketball scholarship to Drury College but left to enlist as a Naval Aviation cadet when World War II broke out. However, due to the war ending before his deployment, he was discharged and subsequently returned to Drury College, where he earned his economics degree with top honors in 1947.
Prior to graduating, Mr. Barker embarked on his first radio job at KTTS in Springfield, where he worked as a disc jockey, news writer, sportscaster, and producer. Following college, he worked at WWPG in Palm Beach, Florida, and KWIK in Burbank, California.
In 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon. Dorothy once playfully revealed the secret to their long-lasting marriage, stating, “I love Bob Barker, and Bob Barker loves Bob Barker.” Unfortunately, Dorothy passed away in 1981, and Mr. Barker never remarried.
Mr. Barker is survived by his half-brother, Kent Valandra. Nancy Burnet, a lifelong friend and fellow animal rights activist, who Mr. Barker mentioned in his autobiography as someone he had an on-again, off-again relationship with for 25 years, is one of his estate executors.
In 1956, Mr. Barker’s big break arrived when Ralph Edwards, a producer, heard him on KNX, a Los Angeles radio station, and invited him to audition for “Truth or Consequences,” a long-standing game show that originally began on the radio in 1940. He was successfully chosen for the role, and he and Mr. Edwards formed a lifelong friendship.
While still hosting “Truth or Consequences,” Mr. Barker was offered the opportunity to host “The Price Is Right” in 1972, leading to a two-year overlap of his hosting duties. Subsequently, he became one of the busiest individuals on television, also taking on the roles of hosting the Rose Bowl parade and the Pillsbury Bake-Off during the 1970s and 1980s. Furthermore, his likable personality allowed him to make memorable appearances in movies, often portraying a comedic exaggeration of himself. One of his most notable appearances was in the 1996 comedy film “Happy Gilmore,” where he jovially engaged in a brawl with Adam Sandler’s character, a rude hockey player turned golfer.
“The Price Is Right” was frequently regarded as one of television’s last bastions of wholesomeness, as it provided entertainment for the entire family. However, this wholesome image faced a challenge in 1994 when Dian Parkinson, a former model on the show known as one of Barker’s Beauties, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Mr. Barker. She alleged that she engaged in a sexual relationship with him because she believed her job was at stake if she refused. In response, Mr. Barker acknowledged the consensual relationship between him and Ms. Parkinson, which lasted from 1989 to 1994. The lawsuit was eventually withdrawn by Ms. Parkinson in 1995, citing both emotional exhaustion and financial constraints.
Mr. Barker announced his retirement in October 2006, stating that he would be celebrating his 83rd birthday in December and wanted to retire while still feeling young. His final episode as host of “The Price Is Right” was taped on June 6, 2007, and aired twice on June 15, once during its regular daytime slot and again in prime time.
After an extensive search, comedian Drew Carey was selected as Mr. Barker’s successor in July 2007. In an interview with The New York Times, Mr. Carey referred to Mr. Barker as a legendary figure and praised his empathy towards contestants. He stated that Mr. Barker had transitioned from being a father and uncle figure to a grandfatherly presence.
Mr. Barker made guest appearances on the show in 2009 to promote his autobiography, “Priceless Memories,” and in 2013 to celebrate his 90th birthday. He also returned as the surprise guest host for an April Fool’s Day prank in 2015 and promised to come back for his 100th birthday.
In a 2013 interview with Parade magazine, Mr. Barker admitted that what he missed most about “The Price Is Right” was the money, but he also missed the people. His warm interactions with contestants left a lasting impact on him.
The passing of Bob Barker marks the end of an era in American television. His charm, charisma, and dedication to animal rights will forever be remembered. Richard Severo, a reporter for The New York Times for almost four decades, eulogized Mr. Barker in 2006. The contributing reporting for this article was done by Peter Keepnews and Chris Cameron.
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