“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us.” Those words about the passing of legendary TV host Bob Barker from his publicist Roger Neal. Barker was 99 and spent 50 years associated with "The Price Is Right," and before that "Truth Or Consequences."
Barker hosted “The Price Is Right,” the longest-running gameshow in TV history, for 35 years, retiring in June 2007. Of course the reason many loved him so much-including me--was his fierce advocacy for animal rights. He donated millions of dollars to animal neutering programs. He was known for ending his shows by saying, “And remember folks, always spay or neuter your pets!”
He won 19 Emmy Awards in total, including 14 for gameshow host, more than any other performer. He also won four for executive producer of “The Price Is Right” and received a lifetime achievement Emmy for Daytime Television in 1999.
He attributed his popularity to the fact that he never performed as an actor, except occasionally playing himself (as in the Adam Sandler movie “Happy Gilmore” in 1996). His shows were a family affair, produced by his first wife, his high school sweetheart Dorothy Jo Gideon, until her death from cancer in 1981, and he usually brought his pets to the studio.
Barker took over as exec producer for the show in 1988, following the death of the original executive producer, Frank Wayne. In this capacity, Barker created several pricing games and instituted a prohibition on foreign cars and animal-based products.
We will miss you. Rest in peace.
Here are a few good memories from the past.
Photo: Kevin Fleming / The Image Bank Unreleased / Getty Images