Richard giving his signature "Family Feud Kiss" to a horse.
Richard Dawson with the Hungry family.
Richard Dawson (1932-2012) was an actor and an Emmy Award-winning game show host for his work as the original host of Family Feud (1976-1985). Prior to that, he was best known for playing Corporal Newkirk on the WWII sitcom Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971).
Dawson appeared on Sesame Street in season 13 as the host of "Family Food," a Sesame spoof of his popular show.
On the December 22, 1977 broadcast of Dinah Shore's talk show Dinah!, Dawson was a guest along with Oscar the Grouch. During the interview between Dinah and Oscar, the grouchy one heckled Dawson by asking "How are things going over at Hogan's Heroes?" Dawson responded with a long anecdote, which consumed the rest of Oscar's interview time.[1]
Dawson's other game show work included appearances as a regular panelist on Match Game, as well as hosting the short-lived Masquerade Party and appearances on I've Got a Secret. He was a regular on Laugh-In (1971-1973) and guest starred on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Jack Benny Program, The Outer Limits, The Love Boat, and The Odd Couple (as himself). His few film credits included a small part in The Longest Day and, in 1987, a meaty self-parodic performance in The Running Man (with Arnold Schwarzenegger) as devious game show host Damon Killian.
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- ↑ Caroll Spinney, The Wisdom of Big Bird, p. 71.