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Nov 22, 2009
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Richard Dawson

Actor / Game Show Host

Born: 20 November 1932
Birthplace: Gosport, England
Best known as: The host of Family Feud
British comedian Richard Dawson was picked to play Corporal Newkirk in the World War II sitcom Hogan's Heroes in 1965. A television career was born. Dawson next appeared in the comedy smash Laugh-In and the game show Match Game before taking what became his signature job: wisecracking, contestant-kissing host of the game show Family Feud. Dawson hosted the game from 1976 until 1985, and then again for one season in 1994. He also played an evil game show host in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film The Running Man.
Extra credit: Dawson's replacement on Family Feud was the late Ray Combs... Dawson met his second wife, Gretchen Johnson, when she was a contestant on Family Feud... Dawson's first wife was British actress Diana Dors... His co-stars on Hogan's Heroes included Bob Crane as Hogan and John Banner as Sgt. Schultz... His co-stars on Match Game included host Gene Rayburn and panelists Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly.

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More on Richard Dawson from Infoplease:

  • Richard Dawson - Biography of Richard Dawson, The host of Family Feud
  • Ray Combs - Biography of Ray Combs, The Family Feud host who committed suicide
  • John Banner - Biography of John Banner, Sergeant Schultz on Hogan's Heroes
  • Gene Rayburn - Biography of Gene Rayburn, Host of TV's Match Game
  • Charles Nelson Reilly - Biography of Charles Nelson Reilly, Wacky panelist on TV's Match Game

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