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Richard Dawson Dead at 79
tmz.com ^ | June 3, 2012 | TMZ

Posted on 06/03/2012 6:59:54 AM PDT by John W

Richard Dawson, the legendary host of "Family Feud," has died from complications due to esophageal cancer ... this according to his son.

Gary Dawson posted a Facebook message early this morning that read:

"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered..."

Dawson hosted "Feud" from 1976-1985, and then from 1994-1995. He was also famous for being a regular on "The Match Game" and for appearing in the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger action film "The Running Man."

Dawson was married to Gretchen Johnson ... interesting fact -- he met her when she was part of a contestant family on The Feud and got hitched in 1991. Dawson was famous during the first run of the show for kissing all the female contestants -- he was known as "The Kissing Bandit." But in the second run, he kissed no one -- a promise he made to Gretchen.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: familyfeud; hogansheros; obituary; richarddawson; therunningman
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To: John W

My favorite:
-Character on Hogan’s Heroes

-Celebrity on Match Game (see him leading the schoolhouse riot)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g6pwugSL2E

-Family Feud Host

- Celebrity wife with mysterious fortune (Diana Dors)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Dors#Alleged_fortune


61 posted on 06/03/2012 8:19:56 AM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
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To: miss marmelstein
Yes, when I lived in L.A. in the 1970s, Dawson had a bad reputation as a lech. I had a good friend who knew were all the bodies were buried!

Please believe me when I say, I don't disbelieve you. Everyone has a friend, who has a friend, who has a friend.

I have a few such friends. Every once in awhile when they tell me something I pause, cock my head and mutter......sources.

62 posted on 06/03/2012 8:20:57 AM PDT by Focault's Pendulum (If Obama was any more thin skinned, he'd have a receptacle end: Dennis Miller)
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To: Cowgirl of Justice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpSbeiPLB30 “September!


63 posted on 06/03/2012 8:21:17 AM PDT by SMGFan
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To: miss marmelstein

I know! I loved that show and he was my favorite! This article was obviously written by a younger person.


64 posted on 06/03/2012 8:23:28 AM PDT by stayathomemom (Beware of kittens modifying your posts.)
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To: John W

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNoV_kSe7Dk

Richard on the “Feud”


65 posted on 06/03/2012 8:25:34 AM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: central_va
Nobody hated Kink's secretary.

Your Freudian slip is showing....

66 posted on 06/03/2012 8:26:53 AM PDT by mikrofon (RIP Mr. Dawson)
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To: John W

Just damn...

I always loved him so much, we watched FF all the time. Of course with the choice of about five channels in the 70’s, you couldn’t help but watch. Even still, loved it!


67 posted on 06/03/2012 8:28:15 AM PDT by autumnraine (America how long will you be so deaf and dumb to the tumbril wheels carrying you to the guillotine?)
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To: catfish1957
You mean that was a fake french accent? Bummer!!!!!!!!

Years ago, I read that when he first came to the US to make his break in the industry, he had to relearn English because his French accent was too thick. It was the real deal.

68 posted on 06/03/2012 8:38:10 AM PDT by stayathomemom (Beware of kittens modifying your posts.)
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To: John W

Diana Dors was and remains a legend of British film and TV.


69 posted on 06/03/2012 8:49:56 AM PDT by the scotsman (I)
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To: central_va

I think Bob Crane married Col. Klinks secretary...saw that
on wikipedia...have not verified that....I wonder if
she knew about Bob Cranes’ uh let’s say predilictons....


70 posted on 06/03/2012 8:51:23 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and diamonds, and harder to find.)
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To: John W

Well they are young at TMZ office you ever see those guys working LOL!

Yeah no mention of Hogan Heroes I know here in SO CAL we get ME TV which shown on Saturday nights on that channel


71 posted on 06/03/2012 8:51:24 AM PDT by SevenofNine (We are Freepers, all your media bases belong to us ,resistance is futile)
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To: MinuteGal

Her finest film was the 1956 British crime classic ‘Yield to the Night’, where she blew away cynical critics and the public with her superb performance.


72 posted on 06/03/2012 8:51:27 AM PDT by the scotsman (I)
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To: Paddyboy

Dawson was the person that introduced Crane to the wonders of home video equipment back in 1964-65, and rest became history, in an unhappy way.


73 posted on 06/03/2012 9:04:18 AM PDT by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
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To: John W

74 posted on 06/03/2012 9:34:35 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement (Obama "acted stupidly.")
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To: Perdogg; AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; ...

Sad news. Thanks Perdogg.

His “Killian” role carried “The Running Man”, and he’s still the one the only real host of Family Feud.


75 posted on 06/03/2012 9:39:00 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: JohnBovenmyer

The most amazing thing about the cast, was that Leon Askin, who played General Burkhalter, not exactly a skinny guy, lived to the ripe, old age of 98!

Askin was fantastic as the Russian trade delegate in the movie, “One, Two, Three”


76 posted on 06/03/2012 9:39:49 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator

Just in remember 60’s TV shows, I just noticed William Schallert will be 90 next month.


77 posted on 06/03/2012 10:13:48 AM PDT by SMGFan
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To: SunkenCiv; John W

RIP, Richard Dawson. May God comfort your family and friends.


78 posted on 06/03/2012 10:23:29 AM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: John W

I am convinced that smokers who drnk hard liquor and smoke are at much higher risk for throat cancer since alcohol is a solvent and erodes the protective layers of mucous from the throat allowing the carcinogens in tobacco smoke access to the more delicate cellular layers in the throat. But that’s just my notion, without scientific data to support it.


79 posted on 06/03/2012 10:26:10 AM PDT by MHGinTN (Being deceived can be cured.)
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To: John W

Newkirk got promoted to captain???


80 posted on 06/03/2012 10:36:44 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Extraneous Wind sends ...)
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