Biography
As the iconic host of "The Price is Right" (CBS, 1972- ), Barker's masterful blend of showmanship and promotion helped spark capitalist America's enduring fascination with the game show genre. Blessed with a playful wit and genial on-air style, the seemingly ageless host perfected the formula of playing tempter, comic foil and nursemaid all in one, setting the standard for all future game show emcees to follow.
Born Robert William Barker on …
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Career Milestones
| Developed the high school talent show "Talent in High" in collaboration with his wife | ||
| Family later moved to Springfield, MO, where Barker attended high school and college | ||
| First TV work, hosting the show "Your Big Moment" for a local California station | ||
| Hosted the annual "Pillsbury Bake-Off"; also produced a number of the culinary competitions for TV | ||
| Moved to Los Angeles after about a year; hosted "The Bob Barker Show" for radio station KWIK in Burbank, CA | ||
| Moved to Palm Beach, FL after graduating to work for radio station WWPG | ||
| Raised near the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota where his mother taught school | ||
| Served as master of ceremonies for the "Miss Universe Pageant" and the "Miss USA Pageant" | ||
| Worked for radio station KTTS in Springfield, MO while he finished his studies in college | ||
1943 | Enlisted in the Navy during WWII; served in the Naval Reserve; was an aviation cadet and awaiting assignment to a squadron heading overseas when the war ended | |
1956 | Hosted the (initially) NBC and (later) syndicated quiz show "Truth or Consequences" for 18 seasons | |
1958 | Hosted the short-lived NBC game show "End of the Rainbow" | |
1967 | Hosted the ABC game show "The Family Game" | |
1969 | Narrated "The Tournament of Roses Parade" on CBS | |
1972 | Hosted the popular CBS daytime game show "The Price is Right"; also served as executive producer; changed format from a half hour to an hour long show in 1975; when he retired after 35 years as host it was the longest running game show | |
1978 | Began semi-regular live show "The Bob Barker Fun and Games Show," which toured throughout the U.S. and Canada | |
1979 | TV movie debut, "Overlanders" (Syndicated) | |
1980 | Hosted the short-lived CBS magazine show "That's My Line," highlighting the unusual occupations of ordinary people | |
1986 | Hosted "The Price Is Right Special," a six-week primetime version of the daytime game show | |
1987 | Attracted attention when he refused host a "Miss USA Pageant" after he found out furs were part of the swimsuit competition (date approximate) | |
1994 | Gained attention in the tabloids for allegedly having an affair with Dian Parkinson, one of the regular models on "The Price Is Right" | |
1996 | Made feature acting debut, playing himself in the Adam Sandler comedy "Happy Gilmore" | |
1996 | Played the father of Mel Harris' character on a few episodes of the NBC sitcom "Something So Right" | |
1999 | Hospitalized in September and underwent emergency surgery for a blocked artery | |
2000 | Guest starred on the "Futurama" (Fox) episode titled "Lesser of Two Evils" | |
2001 | Landed recurring guest voiceover role on the Fox animated sitcom "Family Guy" | |
2003 | Featured on the televised special "CBS at 75" | |