‘Hollywood Squares’ host and Broadway star Peter Marshall dies at 98

ABC News ^ | August 15, 2024 | Andrew Dalton

[OttawaFreeper]

Peter Marshall, the actor and singer turned game show host who played straight man to the stars for 16 years on “The Hollywood Squares,” has died. He was 98.

He died Thursday of kidney failure at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, publicist Harlan Boll said.

Marshall helped define the form of the smooth, professional, but never-too-serious modern game show host on more than 5,000 episodes of the series that ran on NBC from 1966 to 1981.

[hole_n_one]

Q. Charley, you’ve just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I’m too busy growing strawberries.

Q. Paul, what is a good reason for pounding meat?
A. Paul Lynde: Loneliness!

[IndyTiger]

Charlie Weaver to block.

[OttawaFreeper]

You wonder how much of the Hollywood Squares episode inventory exists? I am sure a number of them survived the tragic purges that the silly networks engaged in back in the early to mid 1970s concerning their films and videotapes as a lot got very sadly chucked or burned.

[jroehl]

Many of these celebrity types live long lives.

[Dr. Sivana]

Speaking of John Daly, we could mention Wally Bruner and Larry Blyden as well.

I had seen them, but did not remember their names. At five years old, I was mostly interested with the cartoon flip cards opening the show.

[Dr. Sivana]

I also so Blyden on a game show called “Personality”, though I didn’t remember his name, just the name of the show, and the opening theme that had woodwinds of some sort.

[GreenHornet]

I saw an interview with Peter Marshall in which he explained why he agreed to take the job as host of the Hollywood Squares. He didn’t think the show would succeed, but took the job to prevent the producer’s second choice, Dan Rowan, from getting it. He explained that Dan Rowan had really done a friend of his (Marshall’s) dirty, so he took the job as a way of getting even for his friend. He did not name the friend, or give any details on exactly what happened.

[wardaddy]

Wow

He was good

[Dr. Sivana]

Charlie Weaver to block.

Brett Sommers Klugman (I am changing to Match Game)

[Dr. Sivana]

He didn’t think the show would succeed, but took the job to prevent the producer’s second choice, Dan Rowan, from getting it.

It is always worthwhile to get one over on Dan Rowan.

[hole_n_one]

Allen Ludden

[Dr. Sivana]

Mentioned in post 5

[Political Junkie Too]

Chuck Woolery (83) is still with us, too.

-PJ

[ClearCase_guy]

I have no idea why, but I was absolutely convinced that Peter Marshall and Wink Martindale were brothers (with different stage names). It appears thast there is no basis for this idea. I don’t know why it’s in my head.

[Seruzawa]

Paul Lynde may have been the most consistently funny guy on the show. My grandma never missed it.

[Dr. Sivana]

As is Pat Sajak. But on a thread where names like Jack Bailey are brought up, they are both spring chickens.

I should also mention the first of ALL TV game show hosts, Ralph Edwards.

[The Antiyuppie]

My favorites were Art Fleming and Gene Rayburn.

[Political Junkie Too]

Then we should probably add Groucho Marx to the list, too.

BTW, Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune.

-PJ

[Dr. Sivana]

BTW, Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune.

I remember. At that time, Alex Trebek was doing "High Rollers" and "Wizard of Odds". Ruta Lee was his Vanna for High Rollers, though she had a few years on him.

Don't forget Joe Garagiola for "Sale of the Century".

[Dr. Sivana]

My favorites were Art Fleming and Gene Rayburn.

Art Fleming, Art James and Bill Cullen were my favorites. Just likeable guys who kept the show moving and purely professional.