Television icon Chuck Woolery, known for hosting 'Wheel of Fortune,' has died at 83. Woolery left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry, hosting several popular game shows and influencing the reality dating genre. His passing was confirmed by his friend Mark Young.
- Chuck Woolery has passed at 83
- Woolery's significant TV career is being remembered
- THIS was his personal life and legacy
Woolery's Television Legacy
Chuck Woolery, the charismatic original host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' has passed away at the age of 83. The television legend died at his home in Texas with his wife by his side.
His friend and podcast co-host, Mark Young, confirmed the news, stating, "He was a dear friend and brother in Christ and life will not be the same without him." Woolery's death marks the end of an era for fans of classic game shows.
Young also wrote of Woolery's passing on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "It is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother @chuckwoolery has just passed away. Life will not be the same without him. RIP brother."
According to TMZ, Young told the outlet that Woolery "said he wasn't feeling well and went to lie down." Young claimed Woolery returned later and mentioned that "he was having trouble breathing" and 911 was called but "he didn't make it."
Woolery became a household name during his time as the original host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' a role he held from 1975 until 1982. His engaging style captivated audiences, and he became known for his genuine interest in contestants' stories.
"When I got on, I couldn't stop talking to people," Woolery once shared. Despite leaving the show due to contract disagreements, he often expressed regret over his departure, noting in 2003 that he could have been earning "about $10 million a year" had he stayed.
Beyond 'Wheel of Fortune,' Woolery's television career was vast. He hosted the hit dating show 'Love Connection' from 1983 to 1994, which set the stage for modern reality dating programs. Woolery also hosted 'Scrabble,' 'Greed,' and 'Lingo,' further solidifying his place in game show history.
Born in Ashland, Kentucky, in 1941, Woolery's early life was marked by a love for music, which he pursued before transitioning to television. He was married several times and had six children.
Woolery enrolled at the University of Kentucky in 1960, but after two years he left and entered the Navy, spending two years there. Afterward, he returned to school at Kentucky's Morehead State University but left again to pursue music. In Nashville, he and Bubba Fowler — under the name The Avant-Garde — recorded a single, “Naturally Stoned,” which became a Top 40 hit. He later released music as a solo artist as well.
Woolery moved to Los Angeles in 1972, and eventually landed spots on 'The Tonight Show' and other programs.
In 1975, producer Merv Griffin hired him to host a new game show called Wheel of Fortune. Initially, the show aired during the daytime. ''When I got on, I couldn't stop talking to people,'' he told 'The New York Times' in 2003 about his hosting style.
''I wanted to know who they were, what they did. I wanted them to win, and I got emotionally invested in their winning.''
In 1983, Woolery began hosting 'Love Connection', which became a major success. The show not only set people up on dates but also followed them during their night out and then questioned them afterward about how it went. The show was a precursor to the now-ubiquitous reality dating genre.
Woolery was married several times. From 1963 to 1970, he was married to Margaret Hayes. They shared three children: Cary, Katherine and Chad. Chad died in a motorcycle accident in 1985. He was 19 years old.
Tragically, his son Chad died in a motorcycle accident at age 19, an event Woolery coped with through his strong Christian faith. "My Christian faith is probably the single thing that got me through this," he told 'People' magazine in 1997.
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Woolery's influence extended beyond television. He was a vocal supporter of conservative politics and engaged in public discourse on various issues. His legacy is carried on by his surviving family members, including his wife, Kim Barnes, and children Michael, Sean, and Melissa.
