We all have our talents and contributions to this world, a means by which we have an impact in our immediate surroundings. For Bob Barker, he stood in front of selected contestants, with a charming personality and a smile, answering questions on a game show.
Bob Barker was a beloved host of The Price Is Right and more importantly, a beloved American personality. For more on the man who ran TV’s most-watched show for 35 years, read below.
Age, early childhood and rise to fame
Bob Barker, a retired game show host was born on December 12, 1923. The white-haired man with a charming smile became the iconic face for several generations and started out as a fighter pilot for the United States Army. United in World War II. After the war, Barker returned to complete his graduate studies at Drury College (now known as Drury University) and earned a degree in economics, graduating with the highest achievement.
Barker has always had an affinity for broadcasting and media work. So, despite his studies in economics and his diplomas of excellence, he moved to the United States, to California, in the media sector, in search of a career in broadcasting. Barker moved to California, armed with experience as a local radio editor and announcer in Palm Beach, Florida. His experience and personality earned him awards in California and he got his own radio show. Bob ran his show, an audience participation show, The Bob Barker Show for six years.
Bob Barker ended up on the road that wouldIndustry legend Ralph Edwards, game show producer, heard him on the radio one day and fell in love with his style and his voice in a classic case of reunion prep luck and opportunity and hard work. Edwards signed Bob Barker for the game show, Truth or Consequences, a show where contestants must answer a trivia question correctly or be put through embarrassing stunts if they don’t. Bob hosted the show from December 31, 1956 to 1974. He gained notoriety for his daytime hosting exploits, including his signature, “Bob Barker say goodbye, and hope all your consequences be happy.” He locked onto this brand during his time on the show.
Post Truth or Consequences, hosted by Bob Barker on several other shows before signing on to The Price is Right and hosting it for decades. He hosted shows like That’s My Line, End of the Rainbow and Simon Says. On September 4, 1972, Barker became the host of the new CBS film, The Price is Right. From 1972 to 1988, he was the host of the game show. After the original executive producer passed away, Barker took over the role and made changes that cemented his legacy in Daytime television.
Bob Barker’s The Price Is Right became North America’s longest running game show of all time in September 2006, beating all other competing daytime television shows in the ratings for 25 years. The following month, after setting the record, Bob withdrew from Price is Right. During his time on the show, he won the Daytime Emmy Award 19 times, including 14 individual awards for his Outstanding Game Show host and five Outstanding Game Show awards as an executive producer. He was also named the best organizer of all game shows by Time magazine and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Outside of hosting, Bob Barker is a leading vegetarian activist and animal rights advocate. He also appeared in other television shows and a few movies, including Adam Sandler Happy Gilmore
What is his net worth?
The retired American game show host and TV legend is said to cost around $70 million. With a career that bears accomplishments such as the longest running game show on the continent and 19 Emmy nominations, it’s no surprise that in his long and accomplished career he has acquired such wealth.
Who is his wife?
Bob Barker, for 36 years, was married to his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon. The couple were married on January 12, 1945, and until Dorothy’s death on October 19, 1981, from lung cancer.
The couple had no children during their marriage and Barker has not remarried since. However, he dated a model, Dian Parkinson, who worked on The Price is Right for two years, but it ended horribly wrong. Bob Barker has remained single ever since.
Is Bob Barker dead or alive?
Bob Barker is famous for being the first host to spot all-gray hair on television. In his chosen career, he has a simple body, a height of 6 feet 1 inch and a weight of 85 kg. His eye color is blue.
Despite a rumor that Bob Barker died in 2017, the TV legend is still very much alive. The nonagenarian is in good health and attributes his vegetarian lifestyle to his long life.