Popular game show host Bob Barker, known to households for his iconic roles on “Truth or Consequences” and “The Price Is Right,” has passed away at the age of 99 in his Los Angeles home, as confirmed by his publicist Roger Neal.
Barker, in addition to his television career, was a dedicated animal rights activist. His friend and caretaker, Nancy Burnet, praised the work they did together to address animal cruelty issues in the entertainment industry and advocate for the welfare of abused and exploited animals both in the United States and abroad.
His television journey began in 1956 when he transitioned from radio to host “Truth or Consequences.” The show featured audience members performing humorous stunts, known as “consequences,” if they couldn’t correctly answer a quirky question, the “truth.” Barker’s enthusiasm for the role was palpable; he vividly recalled the moment he learned he got the job and his wife’s joyful reaction.
Barker continued to host “Truth or Consequences” for 18 years, including a syndicated version. Simultaneously, he took the helm of the revived “The Price Is Right” on CBS in 1972, becoming the face of the longest-running game show on broadcast television.
CBS paid tribute to Barker, describing him as an iconic star who had enriched daytime television. He hosted over 5,000 shows during his career, ultimately retiring in 2007, passing the baton to comedian Drew Carey.
Barker returned briefly in 2009 to promote his memoir, “Priceless Memories,” in which he expressed the joy he found in observing people’s personalities unfold on his shows.
His charm on “The Price Is Right” lay in its simplicity—contestants guessed the retail value of prizes, while Barker invited them to “Come on down!” His genuine warmth and respect for contestants endeared him to viewers.
Barker’s longevity in television was a result of his genuine enjoyment of the work. He believed that doing something one loved from a young age kept them from wanting to retire too soon.
In addition to his game show roles, Barker spent two decades hosting the Miss USA Pageant and the Miss Universe Pageant. His commitment to animal rights was evident in his daily plea to viewers to “have your pets spayed or neutered” and his successful campaign to eliminate fur coats as prizes on “The Price Is Right.” In 1987, he quit hosting the Miss USA Pageant in protest of fur coat prizes.
Barker made a significant donation of $250,000 to Save the Chimps, an organization that provides sanctuary to chimpanzees used in research. He hoped to give these animals the peace and love they had been denied during their years of mistreatment.
In 1997, Barker declined to present at the Daytime Emmy awards due to the omission of game show awards. He asserted that game shows were the pillars of daytime television. His cameo in the film “Happy Gilmore” alongside Adam Sandler showcased his sense of humor.
Barker faced legal challenges during his career. In 1994, he was sued for sexual harassment by a former “Price is Right” model, Dian Parkinson. Although Barker admitted to a romantic involvement, Parkinson dropped the lawsuit in 1995. Another model, Holly Hallstrom, alleged she was fired for weight-related reasons in 1995, but Barker denied the claims.
Born in Darrington, Washington, in 1923, Barker’s early life included a period on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota and later, high school in Springfield, Mo. He served in the Navy during World War II and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon, who passed away in 1981.
Barker’s contributions to television earned him a lifetime achievement award at the 26th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1999, where he left the audience with his signature sign-off: “Have your pets spayed or neutered.”