Bob Barker Biography

(Television Game Show Host)

Birthday: December 12, 1923 (Sagittarius)

Born In: Darrington, Washington, United States

Bob Barker is a retired TV game show host. He was a naval fighter pilot during ‘World War II.’ After graduation, he decided to pursue a career in broadcasting and moved to California in search of more opportunities. Soon, he had his own radio show titled ‘The Bob Barker Show’ that aired for six years. Ralph Edwards, a radio show producer, made him the host of ‘End of the Rainbow’ which helped him in his career. Subsequently, he became the host of NBC’s ‘Truth or Consequences’ and hosted it for 18 years. Although Barker is well-known for hosting ‘Truth or Consequences,’ he is more famous as the host of another game show, ‘The Price Is Right.’ The show became a hit as viewers loved the friendly and sweet-talking host. He conducted the game show for 35 years and won 16 ‘Emmys,’ including the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Daytime Television.’ Throughout his illustrious career as a television host, he was associated with many shows, such as ‘End of the Rainbow,’ ‘The Family Game,’ ‘Simon Says,’ and ‘That’s my Line.’ The popular television personality continues to be an active supporter of animal rights, and has donated millions of dollars towards animal welfare.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Robert William Barker

Age: 100 Years, 100 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Dorothy Jo Gideon (m. 1945–1981)

father: Byron John Barker,

mother: Matilda Kent Tarleton

siblings: Kent Valandra

Born Country: United States

Entertainers American Men

Height: 1.85 m

U.S. State: Washington

Founder/Co-Founder: DJ&T Foundation

More Facts

education: Central High School (1941), Drury University, Central High School

awards: 2007; 2004; 2002 - The Price Is Right - Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host
2007; 2004; 1997 - The Price Is Right - Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show
1996 · Happy Gilmore - MTV Movie Award for Best Fight

Childhood & Early Life
Bob Barker was born Robert William Barker on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington, USA, to Matilda Valandra, a school teacher, and Byron John Barker, an electrical lineman. At six, Bob lost his father when John fell from a tower, after which his mother remarried.
He has a half-brother named Kent Valandra from his mother’s second marriage. The family moved to Springfield, Missouri. In 1941, he passed out of ‘Central High School.’
He enrolled at Springfield's ‘Drury College’ on a basketball scholarship. During ‘World War II,’ he served as a fighter pilot for the U.S Navy. After the war, he obtained an Economics degree with honors from ‘Drury College.’
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Career
While studying in college, he was employed at ‘KTTS-FM Radio.’ In 1950, he shifted to California, where he hosted his own radio show, ‘The Bob Barker Show’ for six years.
While hosting a radio show on KNX (AM) in L.A, he caught the attention of radio show producer Ralph Edwards who liked his voice and the way he interacted with his audience.
He hosted ‘End of the Rainbow’ on NBC from 1957 to 1958. Along with co-host Art Baker, he would visit places and help people by giving away surprise gifts.
In 1967, he hosted another short-lived show on ABC titled ‘The Family Game.’ The show had parents and children answering a series of questions; points would be awarded for correct answers. At the end, the family with the most points won a grand prize.
In the pilot series of NBC’s ‘Simon Says’ in 1971, he had to interact with a huge computer called ‘Simon.’ The series was produced by DUNDAS Productions’ Wesley J. Cox.
Starting from 1980, he hosted a series titled ‘That’s my Line.’ Similar to ‘That's Incredible!,’ the program was about amazing and extraordinary stunts. It was discontinued in its second season.
He produced and hosted ‘The Bob Barker Fun and Games Show’ between 1978 and 1986. It was a blend of ‘Truth or Consequences’ and ‘The Price Is Right.’
In the 1996 comedy ‘Happy Gilmore,’ which starred Adam Sandler, Barker appeared as himself. His altercation with Sandler in the film won an ‘MTV Movie Award’ for ‘Best Fight.’
After his retirement from ‘The Price Is Right,’ he made three guest appearances on the show. His first guest appearance was to promote his autobiography ‘Priceless Memories.’ In 2013, he appeared on the show to celebrate his 90th birthday. On 1 April 2015, he appeared again as part of the April Fool’s Day switch.
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He was invited to numerous talk shows, including ‘Dinah!,’ ‘Larry King Live,’ ‘The Rosie O'Donnell Show,’ ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show,’ ‘The Wayne Brady Show,’ and ‘The Late Show with David Letterman.’
He had a minor role in the sitcom ‘Something So Right.’ He also played cameos in TV series, such as ‘The Nanny,’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful,’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother.’
Major Works
Between 1956 and 1974, Barker hosted the TV show ‘Truth or Consequences’ which mixed quizzing with fun and crazy acts. His trademark salute at the end of the show became very famous.
Between 1972 and 2007, he hosted ‘The Price Is Right’ on CBS. This game show is the longest-running game show ever in North America, and seventh among the longest and continuing daytime television programs.
Awards
Barker won 12 ‘Emmy Awards’ for ‘Outstanding Game Show Host’ for ‘The New Price is Right.’ He won four ‘Emmys’ as the show’s executive producer. He was given the 1999 ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Daytime Television.’
Between 2004 and 2008, he was inducted into the ‘Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame,’ ‘Hall of Famous Missourians,’ and ‘NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame.’
Personal Life & Legacy
Bob Barker was married to Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 to 1981. He became a vegetarian and would end every episode of ‘The Price Is Right’ with an animal rights message.
He founded ‘DJ&T Foundation’ in 1994. The foundation has funded many animal neutering and rescue programs, and has supported the ‘United Activists for Animal Rights.’
Barker donated $1 million to ‘Columbia University School of Law’ for the study of animal rights. He donated $2.5 million to PETA for establishing a new office in Los Angeles.
Trivia
This game show host and animal rights activist stepped down as the host of ‘Miss USA/Universe Pageants’ when its organizers refused to stop giving away fur coats as prize items.
Ranked No. 1 in a list of ‘15 Best Game Show Hosts’ compiled by ‘Life,’ Barker missed only four tapings of ‘The Price Is Right’ in his 35-year-long career as its host.

See the events in life of Bob Barker in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Bob Barker Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/bob-barker-4674.php

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