Iconic game show host Chuck Woolery, best known as being the first host of “Wheel of Fortune,” died in his home in Texas at the age of 83, TMZ first reported Sunday.
Woolery’s longtime friend and podcast cohost, Mark Young, said the entertainer was at his home with his wife, Kim, when Woolery claimed he was feeling unwell and went to lie down. Kim returned to the room a short time later and said he was having trouble breathing, prompting a call to 911 for medical assistance, according to TMZ. Sadly, Woolery did not survive the medical episode. His official cause of death has not yet been reported.
LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 13: Chuck Woolery, one of the hosts of “The $250,000 Game Show Spectacular,” poses during a reception following the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Las Vegas Hilton October 13, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hugh Downs, Wink Martindale, Peter Marshall and Monty Hall became the hall’s first inductees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Woolery appeared on “The Merv Griffin Show,” after which time Griffin asked that he host “Shopper’s Bazaar.” That show evolved to be called “Wheel of Fortune” in 1975. After a few years at the helm Woolery requested a salary increase, but was turned down. He was replaced by Pat Sajak and Vanna White in 1981.
Woolery’s impressive catalogue of credits included hosting a very popular dating show, “Love Connection,” for twelve years, where he became famously associated with the phrase, “We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds.” He also hosted “Scrabble” in 1984 while hosting “Love Connection” and maintained both roles until 1990. Woolery also hosted a revival of “The Dating Game” and made appearances as himself on a number of television shows over the course of his career, including “Cold Feet,” “227” and “Scrubs.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 22: Reality TV Stars Darva Conger (r) and Erin Brodie talk to the host of Lingo Chuck Woolery on the set October 22, 2003 in Los Angeles California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images for the Game Show Network)
Woolery was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and was nominated for a daytime Emmy in 1978, Variety reported.
Additional appearances included hosting “Lingo,” “Greed” and “The Chuck Woolery Show.” The famous host also appeared in two episodes of “Melrose Place.”
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 pic.twitter.com/OVPgG195RX
— Dr. Mark Young (@MarkYoungTruth) November 24, 2024
Social media erupted as fans mourn the loss of the famous television personality. (RELATED: Jim Carrey’s Sister Dies)
In addition to his wife, Woolery is survived by his children: Katherine, Melissa, Michael and Sean, TMZ reported.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
