Richard Dawson, former host of ‘Family Feud,’ dead at 79

Richard Dawson, the former host of the television game show Family Feud has died at the age of 79, his son, Gary Dawson, reported through a Facebook post. Born on November 20, 1932 in Gosport, Hampshire, England, Dawson rose to fame in the 60s while playing Corporal Peter Newkirk in the comedy series Hogan’s Heroes. Gary Dawson posted a message on his Facebook account on Saturday, June 2, 2012 that stated the following.

"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered..."

Dawson’s job with Family Feud began after his decade-long stint as a Match Game panelist. Game show producer Mark Goodson offered Dawson a job hosting Family Feud, a new show he had created. Dawson hosted Family Feud from 1976-1985 then returned to the show from 1994-1995. Feud has underwent a series of hosts but for many, Dawson will always be associated with the game as the first and only, true host of the show.

Dawson married twice. His first wife, Diana Dors, was known as the British Marilyn Monroe. The couple married in 1959 and divorced in 1966; they had two children: Mark Dawson and Gary Dawson. He met his second wife, Gretchen Johnson, when she appeared on Family Feud. The couple married in 1991 and remained married until Dawson’s death on June 2, 2012.

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