R.I.P. Bob Barker: ‘The Price Is Right’ Host Dead at 99

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Bob Barker, who was most known as host of the popular gameshow The Price Is Right for 35 years, has died at the age of 99.

According to publicist Roger Neal, Barker—who was also once host of Truth or Consequences and a staunch animal rights activist—died at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday.

“I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker and I did together to expose the cruelty to animals in the entertainment industry and including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally,” says Barker’s longtime friend and caretaker Nancy Burnet, in a statement.

In June 2007, Barker retired from his role as host of The Price Is Right, telling his studio audience: “I thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me into your home for more than 50 years.” Comedian Drew Carey took over hosting duties at that time.

Barker started off in radio and was hired by producer Ralph Edwards in 1956 as the new host of Truth or Consequences, a game show in which audience members had to do crazy stunts if they answered a riddle incorrectly.

Barker continued hosting Truth or Consequences for 18 years, including several years while it was syndicated.

Meanwhile, he began hosting a revival of The Price Is Right in 1972. Bill Cullen hosted the original version of the show in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Barker also hosted the Miss USA Pageant and the Miss Universe Pageant for nearly 20 years. He was a longtime animal rights activist who consistently urged his viewers to “have your pets spayed or neutered.”

During his tenure on The Price Is Right, he was successful in convincing CBS producers to ban fur coats as prizes. He also quit hosting the Miss USA Pageant in 1987 in protest of the fur coats that were being gifted to winners.

Many remember Barker’s cameo in Adam Sandler‘s 1996 film Happy Gilmore, where he sparred with Sandler on a golf course. “I did `The Price Is Right’ for 35 years, and they’re asking me how it was to beat up Adam Sandler,” Barker later joked.

bob barker adam sandler
Bob Barker, who studied Tang Soo Do Karate with martial arts master Chuck Norris, is really throwing those punches in the famous fairway fight scene. Gif: Universal Pictures

“The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him,” Sandler wrote on Instagram. “Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know!”

Barker was born in Darrington, Washington, in 1923. He married Dorothy Jo Gideon, his high school sweetheart, who died in 1981 after 37 years of marriage. They had no children.