Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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.
Sponsored message
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:
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
