Bob Barker, longtime host of ‘The Price Is Right,’ is dead at 99 (2024)

Bob Barker, a titan of daytime television who hosted “The Price Is Right” for 35 years and “Truth or Consequences” for nearly two decades before that, has died, his publicist said. He was 99.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us," Barker's publicist Roger Neal said in a statement.

Barker died of natural causes at his home in Hollywood Hills, Neal said. He is survived by his longtime companion and co-executor of his estate, Nancy Burnet, as well as family including his half-brother Kent Valandra, half-nephews Robert Valandra and Chip Valandra and half-niece Vickie Valandra Kelly.

Born Dec. 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington, Barker joined the Navy in World War II and later dabbled in radio. He moved to California in the hopes of making it in broadcasting and landed the radio program “The Bob Barker Show” in 1950.

In 1956, he got his big break when he was hired to host the TV adaptation of the radio game show “Truth or Consequences” on NBC. The series was syndicated in 1966 and Barker would remain with the show until it ended in 1975.

Barker was already pulling double duty when the show was canceled since he began hosting “The Price Is Right” in 1972 on CBS. “The Price Is Right” first debuted in 1956 and had had runs on NBC and ABC before it was canceled in 1965; Barker was later tapped to host a new version, ushering in an era of popularity that continues to this day.

The show features a wide array of quirky games all centered on a contestant’s ability to guess the cost of various merchandise, ranging from a toaster to a car. Barker presided over the often-excitable tone of the program, made in no small part by wildly enthusiastic contestants who are implored to “Come on down” (a phrase originally barked by announcer Johnny Olson) when they made it on the show.

In 1975, “The Price Is Right” became the first one-hour game show on TV. In 1990, it set the record for the longest-running daytime game show in history. In 2002, Barker surpassed “The Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson’s record for continuous performances on the same network television program at 29 years, seven months and 22 days.

Barker would host 6,586 episodes of “The Price Is Right” before stepping aside in June 2007, replaced by comedian Drew Carey. He said it was a joy to be part of the franchise.

"It’s a lot more fun to do than a person might realize,” hetold Entertainment Weeklywhen he retired. "Each audience has its own personality. It’s like mining for gold. I’m looking for little gems with whom I can create spontaneous entertainment. It’s great satisfaction.”

A 2004 inductee of the Television Academy Hall of Fame who won 19 Daytime Emmys for hosting “The Price Is Right,” Barker used his position on the show as a pulpit for advocating for animal rights. “This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population — have your pets spayed or neutered” became his calling card at the end of each episode.

Bob Barker, longtime host of ‘The Price Is Right,’ is dead at 99 (1)

Barker’s stint on “The Price Is Right” was not without controversy, however.

In 1994, former “Price Is Right” model Dian Parkinson sued him for sexual harassment after they had what Barker described as an affair. Parkinson later dropped the suit.

In 1996, fellow model Holly Hallstrom also sued Barker, claiming weight discrimination. They settled the case in 2005.

In 2007, Barker was again named in a lawsuit, this time by a “Price Is Right” employee who argued she had to quit her job with the show after testifying against him in a wrongful termination suit brought by a former production assistant. The case would end up getting dismissed.

Barker, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976, was known for jobs beyond the game show world. From 1970-1982, he hosted the Pillsbury Bake-Off. From 1969-1988, he hosted the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. For 20 years, he hosted the Miss Universe pageant, although his run ended in 1988 when he stepped aside after organizers would not honor his request to stop giving prizes with fur.

In 2010, Barker donated $2.5 million to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for the creation of a new PETA building in Los Angeles that would be called the Bob Barker Building.

Barker even broke into movies, playing himself in Adam Sandler’s 1996 movie “Happy Gilmore.” The comedy is remembered for a scene in which he and Sandler’s character get into a brawl at a golf tournament.

Barker, who didn’t have children, was married to Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 until her death in 1981. He never remarried.

Drew Weisholtz

Drew Weisholtz is a reporter for TODAY Digital, focusing on pop culture, nostalgia and trending stories. He has seen every episode of “Saved by the Bell” at least 50 times, longs to perfect the crane kick from “The Karate Kid” and performs stand-up comedy, while also cheering on the New York Yankees and New York Giants. A graduate of Rutgers University, he is the married father of two kids who believe he is ridiculous.

Bob Barker, longtime host of ‘The Price Is Right,’ is dead at 99 (2024)

FAQs

Bob Barker, longtime host of ‘The Price Is Right,’ is dead at 99? ›

Barker, who hosted the game show for 35 years, died Aug. 26 at age 99, according to his publicist and the death certificate. He will be buried in Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles next to his wife, Dorothy Jo, who died in 1981, publicist Roger Neal said. There will be no memorial service, he said.

How long did Bob Barker have Alzheimer's? ›

His death certificate, obtained by Fox News Digital, detailed that Barker had been dealing with the disease for an unspecified number of years, and that hypertension, hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia also contributed to his death.

Who inherits Bob Barker's money? ›

Barker passed away in August 2023. The majority of his estate was donated to 40 different animal and military charities, which was no surprise, given his life as a vegetarian and an outspoken animal rights advocate.

What was Bob Barker's net worth before he died? ›

What was Bob Barker's net worth before his death in 2023? Bob was doing incredibly well for himself in the financial department. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he had a net worth of $70 million before his death just a few months shy of his 100th birthday.

How many kids did Bob Barker have? ›

Perhaps surprisingly, Bob Barker did not have any children. Despite having two long-term relationships, the first with his wife of 36 years Dorothy Jo Gideon and the second with his companion of 40 years Nancy Burnet, Barker remained child-free until his death.

What ethnicity was Bob Barker? ›

As Barker's father was one-quarter Sioux, and his mother non-Native, Barker was one-eighth Sioux. Barker attended the grade school on the Rosebud Reservation where his mother was a teacher. Barker once said, "I've always bragged about being part Indian, because they are a people to be proud of.

What is the longest someone has lived with Alzheimer's? ›

Some people live as long as 20 years with the disease. No one knows what causes Alzheimer disease.

How many times did Bob Barker get married? ›

Though Bob Barker never remarried following the death of his first and only wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, he did have another long-term relationship. Barker met Nancy Burnet in 1983, two years after Gideon passed away. The pair would go on to remain companions for the next 40 years.

Where is Bob Barker buried? ›

Barker will be laid to rest next to his wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.

Was Bob Barker married when he did The Price Is Right? ›

How old was Bob Barker when he stopped doing The Price Is Right? ›

Throughout his lengthy career, he won 14 Daytime Emmy Awards as host of The Price Is Right and four more as executive producer, in addition to a lifetime achievement Emmy in 1999. He ultimately retired at the age of 83.

What happened to Bob Barkers' house? ›

The home of the game-show host, who died in 2023, landed on the market in March and was quickly snapped up. The six-bedroom, six-bathroom house was recently purchased for $3,788,000—an impressive $800,000 over the asking price. The 5,906-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival-style abode was built in 1929.

What was Bob Barker's annual salary? ›

Here's What Iconic 'The Price is Right' Host Bob Barker Was Worth At The Time of His Death
NameBob Barker
Net Worth$70 Million at his peak
Salary$10 Million
Annual Income$20-30 Million
Sources of IncomeTV Shows
6 more rows

What happened to Bob Barker's wife? ›

Gideon was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 1981. She died at age 57 on Oct. 19, 1981, just six months after her diagnosis. Her death affected her husband deeply.

When did Bob Barker stop dying his hair? ›

On September 4, 1972, Barker began hosting the CBS revival of The Price Is Right. On October 15, 1987, Barker did what other MCs almost never did then: he stopped using hair dye and let his hair go gray, its natural color by that time.

Was Bob Barker cremated? ›

According to the station, the certificate indicates his cremated remains will be interred later this month at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where his wife Dorothy Jo Gideon was buried in 1981. Barker died at about 8 a.m. Aug.

How old was Bob Barker when he left Price is Right? ›

In CBS's The Price Is Right, excited contestants were famously invited to "come on down" before Barker tested their knowledge of the price of consumer items in return for prizes. In 2007, aged 83, he was succeeded as host by comedian Drew Carey.

What was the name of Bob Barker's beauties? ›

American model Janice Pennington was 30 years old when she became a daytime staple as one of the original Barker's Beauties on the classic price predicting television show, "The Price is Right." Janice Pennington started on the showcase show in 1972 and was part of a TV trifecta alongside Holly Hallstrom and Dian ...

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