Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
"Family Feud" Host Richard Dawson Dead at 79
()
Richard Dawson, the beloved "Match Game" panelist and longtime "Family Feud" host has died. He was 79.
The British-born Dawson came to Hollywood in the early 1960s as a television actor. He is best known for his role as Cpl. Peter Newkirk on Hogan's Heroes, which ran from 1965-1971. He also appeared on Laugh-In and The New Dick Van Dyke Show.
But Dawson became even more well known for his appearances on game shows. He was a fixture in the bottom row of the goofy, suggestive Match Game, signing on in '73. In 1976 Family Feud hit the airwaves with Dawson as host, and it was a breakout hit.
In addition to just getting the contestant families to guess answers to survey questions, he also mugged endlessly and flirted with the women, many of whom he'd lean in to kiss. When "Feud" ended in 1985, it was estimated he'd kissed about 20,000 women on the show.
Support for LAist comes from
For his role as "Feud" host, Dawson won an Emmy in 1978.
Though he did return to host a new version of the show for one season in 1994, Dawson shifted to play the occasional film role in the remainder of his career. He lived in Beverly Hills with his wife, Gretchen, who he'd met when she was a "Family Feud" contestant in 1981.
Dawson died Saturday night at Ronald Reagan Memorial Hospital from complications related to esophageal cancer. Of note, Dawson died 16 years to the day later than Ray Combs, his successor as the host of "Family Feud" who committed suicide while hospitalized.
Here's Dawson dealing with a contestant struggling to find an answer:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist