Beloved game show host Bob Barker has passed away at the age of 99.
Bob’s former publicist Roger Neal announced the television icon’s death on behalf of Barker’s girlfriend, Nancy Burnet. The statement read: “It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker, has left us. I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker, and I did together to expose the cruelty to animals in the entertainment industry and including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally. We were great friends over these 40 yrs. He will be missed.” Barker died of natural causes.
Barker landed his first hosting gig on the game show Truth or Consequences, which he hosted for 18 years. Barker began hosting CBS daytime’s The Price is Right in 1972, and it quickly became a smash hit, eventually becoming the longest-running game show in U.S. history. For over 35 years, Barker hosted The Price is Right until his retirement in 2007.
Barker also hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants for 22 years; however, he severed ties with the organization in 1987 after discovering that contestants would model furs during the swimsuit competition, which didn’t align with Barker’s longtime support for animal advocacy.
Barker won 18 Daytime Emmy Awards and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999; and in 2004, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Barker is survived by his half-brother Kent Valandra and half-nephews Robert Valandra and Chip Valandra, as well as a half-niece, Vickie Valandra Kelly.
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