Nancy Reagan: 'Heartbreaking' to Lose Merv Griffin

NewsMax ^ | 8/12/07 | NewsMax

[wagglebee]

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan issued the following statement Sunday on the death of Merv Griffin:

"This is heartbreaking, not just for those of us who loved Merv personally, but for everyone around the world who has known Merv through his music, his television shows and his business.

"Ronnie and I knew Merv for more years than I can even remember -- more than fifty, I'm sure. He was a dear, dear friend and we became even closer in the last fifteen years. He was there for me on some of the hardest days when Ronnie was fighting Alzheimer's and he was there for me every day after Ronnie died.

"Merv meant the world to me. I will miss him -- and his brilliant smile, his wonderful voice, and the twinkle in his eyes -- every day for the rest of my life.

"My love and prayers are with Tony and the entire family.

[wagglebee]

Merv Griffin was a great friend to the Reagans.

[SevenofNine]

I bet Nancy is devasted

[Fudd Fan]

Praying for Merv’s soul, and I’m also praying for Nancy in her grief over losing her dear friend.

[wagglebee]

I think that Merv Griffin was Nancy Reagan’s closest friend other than Michael Deaver.

[SevenofNine]

Oh yeah that true I tell you why

Merv knew Nancy Reagan back in da day way back in da day during MGM days when she was Nancy Davis they were friend Nancy was upcoming star Merv was still in singing career/acting career that how old school their friendship it is

[stephenjohnbanker]

RIP, Merv!

[Young Werther]

Merv had a vast intellect and talent. We are all devasted!

[Reagan Man]

When CBS was producing the TV movie, “The Reagan’s”, Merv Griffin said the C in CBS stood for cowards. Merv said the Reagan’s were in no position to defend themselves. So he did.

RIP Merv.

[submarinerswife]

So rare it is that being a Hollywood hotshot, he was so loyal to the Reagen's for so many years. He never sold out under pressure of the Libs. He was a great friend to Nancy and Ronnie.

I throughly enjoyed his stories, I saw a joint interview with Merv and Nancy Reagan not too long ago upon release of a book about Ron Reagan.

Merv and Ronnie are together laughing once more. RIP

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Merv knew Nancy Reagan back in da day way back in da day during MGM days when she was Nancy Davis they were friend Nancy was upcoming star Merv was still in singing career/acting career that how old school their friendship it is

Freddy Martin & His Orchestra, with Merv Griffin

PS: That's kind of an interesting album:

Flaky Forties

And it would be difficult to compare that album with, say, this television ad, and not come to the conclusion that something has gone terribly wrong with our society in the intervening 60 years:

BET's Disturbing "Read a Book" video

[submarinerswife]

Can someone here enlighten me on Merv's career? What music did he sing? I remember his many TV shows (King World Entertainment) and the whole Dance Fever/Danny Terrio mess claiming that Merv Griffin sexually harassed him. I admired the tenacity that he had in not only defending himself but aggressively going after Terrio for trying to extort money from him. Merv was having none of it, he didn't depend on a publicist or lawyer t. I admired him for that. Rare breed.

[Nea Wood]

When CBS was producing the TV movie, “The Reagan’s”, Merv Griffin said the C in CBS stood for cowards.

And we know what the rest stands for.

[daisyscarlett]

Merv left part of his billion dollar fortune to the Reagan Library.

[Reagan Man]

Natch! ;^)

[bill1952]

He pretty much started Jeopardy and the wheel of fortune, and I know that he wrote that d*mn theme song to jeopardy that gets stuck in your head from time to time.

He was one of the richest guys in Hollywood and thats saying something. - I didn’t know about his acquaintances with the Reagans.

[ari-freedom]

[submarinerswife]

I didn’t know about his acquaintances with the Reagans.

I didn't realize their friendship until Merv Griffin defended Nancy Ragan and Frank Sinatra during the Kitty Kelly book accusing them of an affair back in the 80's.

[I still care]

This is a tremendous loss. Merv will be greatly missed.

I saw a video of him the other day singing with Beverly Sills, he had a wonderful voice.

[monkapotamus]

[4yearlurker]

Merv had the “Merv Giffin Show” in the late 60’s and early 70’s. A talk show with guest singers.(Although Merv did some singing himself.) I always thought Merv and Mike Douglas were the same guy!

[submarinerswife]

My Husband and I were just reminiscing of how our Dads both watched Mike Douglas and the Merv Griffin show when we were little kids.

[submarinerswife]

When was that pic of Nancy and Merv taken? He was with her during the funeral of Ron Reagen. Dedicated friend.

[Fudd Fan]

Merv left part of his billion dollar fortune to the Reagan Library.

I keep finding out things about Merv that are better and better. God rest his soul.

[FES0844]

Enjoyed them both; they were classy guys.

[monkapotamus]

I don't know I don't understand this language.

[Steely Tom]

I don't know I don't understand this language.

It may be Turkish. Just a WAG.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Any statement from Denny Terrio?

[wagglebee]

Not that I’m aware of, but I would say that it would be uncalled for in any event.

[SevenofNine]

Monk Nancy going be on Larry King tommroow talk about Merv they just announced on CNN

[monkapotamus]

Thanks.

[Biblebelter]

Merv Griffin and Ronald Reagan shared a sunny optimism not found in celebrities today. They both are missed.

[SevenofNine]

OH that just wrong LOLOLOL!

[Anti-Hillary]

Yeah. Haven’t there been rumors swirling around Merv that he was gay? Is that where it all started?

Awesome that he left part of his money to Reagan’s Library. Every school child in America should visit that place. It is incredible. Was there the week after Reagan died. Actually, the day after he was interned. It was so incredible. I just stood there at his grave site and praised God for President Reagan.

[princess leah]

Our stupid journalists and media people could all learn from watching Merv Griffin shows (I hope they put some of them on TV Land now). He certainly knew how to give a great interview, as did Johnny Carson...all we get from the WHITE HOUSE PRESSTITUTE CORP are STUPID AND MORONIC QUESTIONS that lead the interviewee, not ask a competent question.

[SevenofNine]

Actually Leah you could get Merv Griffin best shows on DVD I saw them at some A&E site few months ago go on Amazon.com it there

You know how I know I score a copy on DVD

[Tax-chick]

My sympathies to Mrs. Reagan. It must be very hard for her to lose such a long time friend.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Actually, his fortune is estimated to be 1.6 billion.

[the invisib1e hand]

I always thought Merv and Mike Douglas were the same guy!

I think I heard they wore similar dresses at those Greenwhich Village cabarets.

[SoCalPol]

I remember when Reagan was Gov. and on Merv’s programs.

Also Nancy Reagan & Merve both share the same birthday, 6 July

[submarinerswife]

I don't know I don't understand this language.

OK, you're off the hook then. Next time, know the language the picture is in. LOL

[submarinerswife]

I think I heard they wore similar dresses at those Greenwhich Village cabarets.

Is that really necessary? Have a little class or at least pretend to, will you?

[jaycee]

And Merv had a new game show that is coming out soon...forgot the name....but I heard it on the news. It will be out before long. And I also heard recently he was going to be on Fox in a segment called “Mondays with Merv.” Guess thats over! I always liked Merv and had a great respect for him. Sad over his passing.

[NEW YORKCITYGOPMAN]

I was not aware of his friendship with Nancy. Very sad.

Just a minor family anecdote concerning the late Merv Griffin. He was originally a singer, singing at one time with the Freddy Martin orchestra. One of his fairly successful songs was a song written by my late father,

“Take Her to Jamaica”

My aunt, a singer from YOUR HIT PARADE radio shows, JOAN EDWARDS once said to Merv, as reported in the AP obituary,

“Your voice is terrific, but the blubber has got to go.”

Griffin slimmed down, and he would spend the rest of his life adding and taking off weight.

RIP, Mervyn!

[Inspectorette]

Also Nancy Reagan & Merve both share the same birthday, 6 July

Along with President Bush :-)

[SoCalPol]

Yes, another 6 July

[boop]

I think it was an open secret that Merv was gay or bisexual. But it really isn’t a big deal. He was a classy guy in everything I’ve read about him. Plus he was a republican and good friends with the Reagans. Makes him OK in my book.

[dfwgator]

I hated Merv growing up because in our house we had one TV, and my Mom would change the channel to Merv, right when the Three Stooges were coming on.