Richard Dawson, Family Feud host dead at 79
The British Family Feud gameshow host and actor in the popular TV show Hogan’s Heroes passed away from esophageal cancer Saturday. He was 79.
Family feud host, Richard Dawson is dead at 79.
The British gameshow host and actor in the popular TV show Hogan's Heroes passed away from esophageal cancer Saturday said his son.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather," his son, Gary Dawson, posted on his Facebook page.
"He will be missed but always remembered…"
Dawson played Cpl. Peter Newkirk on the 1960s television series Hogan's Heroes.
He hosted Family Feud between 1976 and 1985 and then again in 1994 and 1995.
Digital Spy reported that before Family Feud, Dawson got his start as a gameshow host on the "Match Game."
Dawson played the evil gameshow host in the 1980s film "The Running Man" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
TMZ reported that Dawson was nicknamed the "kissing bandit" as he became famous for kissing all female contestants on the "Feud."
Dawson claimed to have kissed more than 20,000 contestants, said the Associated Press.
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