Peter Marshall, the Emmy Award-winning host of “Hollywood Squares,” died of kidney failure Thursday in Encino at the age of 98.
His wife, Lori, said in a statement that he died at home.
He has been nominated for 19 Emmy Awards, winning five, hosted over 5,000 episodes of the original game show “The Hollywood Squares” and worked as an actor, singer and host.
Marshall was born Ralph Pierre Lacock in Huntington, West Virginia. He began his career as a page at NBC Radio and a receptionist at the Paramount Theater. He served in the Army, working as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio.
Marshall worked in comedy with Tommy Noonan, toured the country and appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” As a contract actor with 20th Century Fox, he appeared in films including “Ensign Pulver,” “The Rookie” and “Annie.”
He was hired to host “The Hollywood Squares” in 1966, which featured regulars such as Paul Lynde, Joan Rivers, and Rose Marie, and hundreds of guest stars.
Marshall went on to host “The Peter Marshall Variety Show,” “Big Bands From Disneyland,” the audience participation series “Fantasy” with Leslie Uggams, and the game shows “All-Star Blitz” and “Yahtzee.”
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Laurie, daughters Susan Browning (David) and Jamie DeMarco (Steve), son Pete Lacock (Jana), predeceased by son David Lacock, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Donations can be made to either Actors & Others for Animals (https://actorsandothers.com/), the Lange Foundation (langefoundation.org) or Mercy Kids Therapy and Development Center (https://www.mercy.net/practice/mercy-kids-therapy-and-development-center/).
