Popular game show host Bob Barker

On October 15, 1987, Bob Barker appeared on ‘The Price is Right’ for the first time with his natural gray hair. The audience gave Barker a minute-long standing ovation

Robert William Barker was born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington. He spent much of his childhood on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where his mother was a schoolteacher. His father, Byron Barker, was a power-line foreman who died in a work accident when Bob was young.

Barker attended Drury College (now Drury University) in Springfield, Missouri, on a basketball scholarship. He served as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot during World War II but never saw combat. After the war, he graduated with a degree in economics and initially pursued a career in radio broadcasting.

Barker started in radio in the 1940s, hosting his own show, The Bob Barker Show, in California. This led to opportunities in Los Angeles, where he caught the eye of game show producers.

In 1956, he became the host of Truth or Consequences, a popular NBC show created by Ralph Edwards. Barker hosted it for 18 years (until 1975), becoming a household name with his charismatic style, quick wit, and audience engagement.

In 1972, Barker took over as host of the revamped The Price Is Right on CBS, succeeding Bill Cullen. He held the role for 35 years, retiring in 2007 at age 83. The show became the longest-running game show in U.S. history under his tenure, famous for games like Plinko, the Showcase Showdown, and Barker’s catchphrase, “Come on down!” He won 14 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host and helped the show earn numerous Emmys overall.

Barker hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1967 to 1987, appeared in films like Happy Gilmore (1996, where he famously fought Adam Sandler), and produced TV specials. He also emceed events like the Rose Parade and Pillsbury Bake-Off.

Barker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon, in 1945. They were together until her death from lung cancer in 1981; he never remarried, often crediting her influence on his life and career.

A passionate animal lover, Barker became a vegetarian in 1979 and was a vocal advocate for animal welfare. He founded the DJ&T Foundation (named after his wife and mother) in 1995 to fund spay/neuter clinics. He ended every episode of The Price Is Right with the sign-off: “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.” He donated millions to animal causes, supported groups like PETA and Sea Shepherd, and even lobbied for laws protecting elephants and other animals. In 2010, he funded the relocation of elephants from zoos to sanctuaries.

Barker dealt with health issues, including skin cancer surgeries and a fall in 2015. He remained active in advocacy until his later years.

Barker passed away on August 26, 2023, at age 99 from natural causes at his home in Los Angeles.

Barker’s career spanned seven decades. He appeared in over 6,500 episodes of The Price Is Right, drew millions of viewers daily, and influenced generations of hosts (like Drew Carey, who succeeded him). Barker’s estate was valued at around $70 million, much of which went to animal rights organizations.