Bob Barker Fast Facts - CNN

Bob Barker Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Updated 1748 GMT (0148 HKT) August 29, 2023

Bob Barker is seen during the premiere for the 34th season of "The Price is Right" on June 6, 2005. Over the years, the CBS show became part of the American fabric, with Barker's amiability a primary reason.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Bob Barker is seen during the premiere for the 34th season of "The Price is Right" on June 6, 2005. Over the years, the CBS show became part of the American fabric, with Barker's amiability a primary reason.
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Barker, seen here in 1959, started his broadcasting career in radio. In 1956, he began hosting the television game show "Truth or Consequences."
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker, seen here in 1959, started his broadcasting career in radio. In 1956, he began hosting the television game show "Truth or Consequences."
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Barker, right, appears on a 1960 episode of "Bonanza" along with actors Jim Galante, Ken Mayer and Natalie Trundy.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker, right, appears on a 1960 episode of "Bonanza" along with actors Jim Galante, Ken Mayer and Natalie Trundy.
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Barker was a well-known animal rights activist who always ended "The Price Is Right" by saying: "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered." In 1995, Barker established the DJ&T Foundation to help fund low-cost pet neutering. The foundation is named after Barker's late wife, Dorothy Jo, and his mother, who was nicknamed Tilly.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker was a well-known animal rights activist who always ended "The Price Is Right" by saying: "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered." In 1995, Barker established the DJ&T Foundation to help fund low-cost pet neutering. The foundation is named after Barker's late wife, Dorothy Jo, and his mother, who was nicknamed Tilly.
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Barker went on his first date with Dorothy Jo when he was 15, and the two eloped in 1945 when Barker took leave from the US Naval Reserve. Dorothy Jo sang commercial jingles, and the two moved to Los Angeles and performed in talent shows together.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker went on his first date with Dorothy Jo when he was 15, and the two eloped in 1945 when Barker took leave from the US Naval Reserve. Dorothy Jo sang commercial jingles, and the two moved to Los Angeles and performed in talent shows together.
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While Barker was in college, filling in as emcee for a radio station, he was noticed by Ralph Edwards, creator and host of "Truth or Consequences." Barker took over for Edwards and hosted the game show for the next 18 years.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
While Barker was in college, filling in as emcee for a radio station, he was noticed by Ralph Edwards, creator and host of "Truth or Consequences." Barker took over for Edwards and hosted the game show for the next 18 years.
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Barker began hosting "The Price Is Right" in 1972. Over his career, he won 19 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker began hosting "The Price Is Right" in 1972. Over his career, he won 19 Daytime Emmy Awards.
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Barker and Amanda Jones, who was Miss Illinois, are seen after Jones won the 1973 Miss USA Pageant. Barker hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1966 to 1987. He resigned after pageant officials refused to stop giving fur coats as awards.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker and Amanda Jones, who was Miss Illinois, are seen after Jones won the 1973 Miss USA Pageant. Barker hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1966 to 1987. He resigned after pageant officials refused to stop giving fur coats as awards.
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Barker points to himself on television as his wife looks on and laughs in this 1977 photo. Dorothy Jo died from lung cancer in 1981.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker points to himself on television as his wife looks on and laughs in this 1977 photo. Dorothy Jo died from lung cancer in 1981.
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Barker, with a contestant on "The Price Is Right" in 1978. He nimbly handled overzealous contestants -- including one who lost her tube top while bouncing in excitement.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker, with a contestant on "The Price Is Right" in 1978. He nimbly handled overzealous contestants -- including one who lost her tube top while bouncing in excitement.
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Barker on the set of "The Price Is Right" in 1985. As the show went on, Barker became increasingly connected to the phrase he used to say to invite contestants to play: "Come on down!"
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker on the set of "The Price Is Right" in 1985. As the show went on, Barker became increasingly connected to the phrase he used to say to invite contestants to play: "Come on down!"
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Barker poses with two "Price Is Right" models — Dian Parkinson, left, and Janice Pennington — in 1986. Parkinson sued Barker for sexual harassment in 1993, asking for $8 million. Barker denied the allegations and said they had a consensual relationship. The lawsuit was dropped in 1995.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker poses with two "Price Is Right" models — Dian Parkinson, left, and Janice Pennington — in 1986. Parkinson sued Barker for sexual harassment in 1993, asking for $8 million. Barker denied the allegations and said they had a consensual relationship. The lawsuit was dropped in 1995.
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For his cameo appearance in the 1996 Adam Sandler film "Happy Gilmore," Barker won a MTV Movie Award for "best fight scene."
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
For his cameo appearance in the 1996 Adam Sandler film "Happy Gilmore," Barker won a MTV Movie Award for "best fight scene."
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Barker poses next to a sculpture of himself as he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2004.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker poses next to a sculpture of himself as he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Barker relaxes next to his Emmy Awards in 2007. He also received a lifetime achievement Emmy in 1999.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker relaxes next to his Emmy Awards in 2007. He also received a lifetime achievement Emmy in 1999.
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Barker addresses the studio audience during his last taping of "The Price Is Right" in 2007. He was retiring after a 35-year run.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker addresses the studio audience during his last taping of "The Price Is Right" in 2007. He was retiring after a 35-year run.
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Barker and Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony of PETA's Los Angeles office in 2010. The office was named "The Bob Barker Building." Barker donated $2.5 million to PETA to purchase and renovate it.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker and Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony of PETA's Los Angeles office in 2010. The office was named "The Bob Barker Building." Barker donated $2.5 million to PETA to purchase and renovate it.
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Barker plays with his pet Mr. Rabbit at his home in Los Angeles in 2011.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker plays with his pet Mr. Rabbit at his home in Los Angeles in 2011.
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Barker appears with Scott Clifton in an episode of the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful" in 2014. It was his third appearance on the show.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker appears with Scott Clifton in an episode of the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful" in 2014. It was his third appearance on the show.
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Barker surprised viewers when he came out of retirement to appear on an episode of "The Price Is Right" in 2015. At right is Drew Carey, who took over the show after Barker's retirement.
Photos: Television icon Bob Barker
Barker surprised viewers when he came out of retirement to appear on an episode of "The Price Is Right" in 2015. At right is Drew Carey, who took over the show after Barker's retirement.
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(CNN)Here is a look at the life of Bob Barker, former host of the "Price is Right."

Personal

Birth date: December 12, 1923
Death date: August 26, 2023
Birth place: Darrington, Washington
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Birth name: Robert William Barker
Father: Byron Barker, a utility worker
Mother: Matilda (Tarleton) Barker
Marriage: Dorothy Jo (Gideon) Barker (January 12, 1945-1981, her death)
Education: Drury College, B.A., 1947
Military service: US Naval Reserves, 1943-1945

Other Facts

Ended each episode of the "The Price is Right" with the line, "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."
Winner of 18 Daytime Emmy Awards. Also received an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1999 and was inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame in 2004.
Barker contributed $5 million to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a marine wildlife and environmental protection group, to help end international whaling. The society named a ship in their fleet the "Bob Barker."
Has donated $3.1 million to his alma mater Drury University.

Timeline

1950-1956 - Host of radio program "The Bob Barker Show."
1956-1975 - Host of game show "Truth or Consequences" on NBC.
1966-1987 - Host of the "Miss Universe" and "Miss USA Beauty Pageants." Resigns after pageant officials refuse to stop giving fur coats as awards.
1969-1988 - Emcees the New Year's Day "Tournament of Roses Parade."
September 4, 1972 - Premiere of "The Price Is Right" on CBS with Barker as host.
1972-2007 - Host of "The Price Is Right."
1994 - Dian Parkinson, a former model on "The Price is Right," sues Barker for sexual harassment. Barker admits to an affair with Parkinson, but says it was consensual. The lawsuit is dropped in 1995.
1995 - Founds the DJ&T Foundation to help fund low-cost pet neutering. The foundation is named after his wife, Dorothy Jo and his mother, nicknamed Tilly.
1996 - Wins an MTV Movie Award for "best fight scene" for his cameo appearance and brawl with Adam Sandler in "Happy Gilmore."
March 11, 1998 - "Stage 33" at CBS Television City in Los Angeles is renamed "Bob Barker Studio" after the 5,000th episode of "The Price Is Right."
1999 - Wins an Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
2002 - Suffers a stroke and undergoes prostate surgery.
April 26, 2002 - Breaks Johnny Carson's record for continuous performances on the same network television show, with 29 years, seven months and 22 days.
June 26, 2004 - Is inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
October 31, 2006 - Announces his upcoming retirement for June 2007.
March 20, 2007 - The LA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals honors Barker with their President's Award.
May 17, 2007 - "Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years on Television," a tribute to his 50-year career, 35 of which were on "The Price Is Right," airs on CBS.
June 15, 2007 - Barker's last episode as host of "The Price is Right" airs.
November 14, 2007 - Is inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
April 6, 2009 - Hachette/Center Street publishes Barker's first memoir "Priceless Memories."
March 10, 2010 - A ribbon cutting ceremony is held in Los Angeles for the opening of a new office for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The building is named for Barker, who donated $2.5 million to PETA to purchase and renovate the property.
November 2, 2011 - Barker urges the passage of the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act. He states that traveling circuses rely on animals that are trained to do tricks and this is accomplished with acts of cruelty.
December 12, 2013 - Returns to "The Price is Right" to celebrate his 90th birthday.
August 26, 2023 - Dies at age 99.