Beloved Game Show Host Dead At 87

Celebrity

Beloved Game Show Host Dead At 87

Chuck Barris, the beloved game show host of The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, and The Gong Show, has died.

Barris died of natural causes at the age of 87 in his New York home on Tuesday afternoon.

In 1984, Barris wrote a book called "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography," Barris revealed that between his gigs in the entertainment business, he was a paid hitman for the CIA.

TMZ

In 1965, Chuck Barris struck gold when producing The Dating Game. The show featured not-yet-celebrities, such as Tom Selleck and Steve Martin. He would later go on to host The Gong Show where people fell in love with his curly hair and goofy personality.

After a failed attempt at starring and directing in a movie, Barris holed himself up in his New York hotel and wrote the comedic spy novel, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Biography." The novel was based on Barris' own life. In 2002, the book became a feature film starring George Clooney and Drew Barrymore.

Before the film came out, Barris was worried the only thing people would remember about his acting career would be him hosting The Gong Show.

"I've never saved any lives. It's just middle-of-the-road greatness," Barris told the Associated Press. "So I know what my legacy will be. It's "˜The Gong Show' and that's a shame."

Why So Blu?

Tragedy struck Barris and his family in 1998, when his daughter Della died after a deadly cocktail of cocaine and vodka.

Chuck Barris is survived by his wife of 16 years, Mary.

Rest in peace, Chuck Barris. Rest assured, your legacy is far from "middle of the road."

CBC

Meagan has an intense love for Netflix, napping, and carbs.