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Richard Dawson Dead at 79
tmz.com ^ | June 3, 2012 | TMZ

Posted on 06/03/2012 6:59:54 AM PDT by John W

Richard Dawson, the legendary host of "Family Feud," has died from complications due to esophageal cancer ... this according to his son.

Gary Dawson posted a Facebook message early this morning that read:

"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. He will be missed but always remembered..."

Dawson hosted "Feud" from 1976-1985, and then from 1994-1995. He was also famous for being a regular on "The Match Game" and for appearing in the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger action film "The Running Man."

Dawson was married to Gretchen Johnson ... interesting fact -- he met her when she was part of a contestant family on The Feud and got hitched in 1991. Dawson was famous during the first run of the show for kissing all the female contestants -- he was known as "The Kissing Bandit." But in the second run, he kissed no one -- a promise he made to Gretchen.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: familyfeud; hogansheros; obituary; richarddawson; therunningman
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To: Paddyboy
Crane and Dawson were co-leches.Dawnson was even briefly considered a suspect in Cranes murder due to their sordid past

Can't speak to Dawson....but Crane was an extremely perverted person....but a pretty good drummer.

41 posted on 06/03/2012 7:42:45 AM PDT by Focault's Pendulum (If Obama was any more thin skinned, he'd have a receptacle end: Dennis Miller)
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To: Paddyboy

sordid?....I guess that is past tense of sorid


42 posted on 06/03/2012 7:43:24 AM PDT by catfish1957 (My dream for hope and change is to see the punk POTUS in prison for treason)
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Comment #43 Removed by Moderator

To: JohnBovenmyer
There is sweet irony on Clary being the last Hero standing. Many on the show were Jews who got out of Europe ahead of Hitler.

You mean that was a fake french accent? Bummer!!!!!!!!

44 posted on 06/03/2012 7:45:49 AM PDT by catfish1957 (My dream for hope and change is to see the punk POTUS in prison for treason)
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To: John W

RIP Mr. Dawson. Always enjoyed the feud when you hosted it.


45 posted on 06/03/2012 7:46:45 AM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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To: John W

He smoked like a chimney. I liked him in his Schwarzenegger movie


46 posted on 06/03/2012 7:49:15 AM PDT by dennisw
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To: John W

TVLegends on Newkirk’s accent & other recent interviews TV Legends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4t8K-xTliM&feature=fvwrel


47 posted on 06/03/2012 7:49:57 AM PDT by SMGFan
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To: central_va
"Nobody hated Kink's secretary."

Unless you met her much later in life.....

Little known factoid...her first husband also died in an unsolved murder. From a beating. IIRC.

48 posted on 06/03/2012 7:52:40 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: miss marmelstein
Holy Cow! Not one mention of Hogan’s Heroes!

I found that telling also. There was no mention of his being in the film "The Devils Brigade" either.

49 posted on 06/03/2012 7:53:22 AM PDT by calex59
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To: John W

I was thinking of Dawson last night when I watched “The Devil’s Brigade” on a cable channel. I’d forgotten he played one of the Canadian soldiers.


50 posted on 06/03/2012 7:54:42 AM PDT by 04-Bravo
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To: John W

Cool guy. Loved his work on Hogan’s Heroes.

Rip, Richard.


51 posted on 06/03/2012 7:58:44 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Worst. President. Ever.)
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To: John W

He also had a memorable appearance on the Dick Van Dyke Show - as a sleazy performer who comes on to either Rose Marie or Mary Tyler Moore...or both. Good actor. I’d hate to think he will only be remembered for Family Feud.


52 posted on 06/03/2012 7:59:48 AM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: Focault's Pendulum

Yes, when I lived in L.A. in the 1970s, Dawson had a bad reputation as a lech. I had a good friend who knew were all the bodies were buried!


53 posted on 06/03/2012 8:02:39 AM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: vladimir998

Condolences to family and friends of Richard Dawson.


54 posted on 06/03/2012 8:04:46 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: SMGFan

I saw that too. Was she by any chance in the commercial for a bran snack of some kind....telling the guy it couldn’t have bran in it...it was too good? I laughed and laughed at those commercials. RIP to them both.


55 posted on 06/03/2012 8:05:40 AM PDT by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: miss marmelstein

His Bird impressions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huZ6P2ClHAg


56 posted on 06/03/2012 8:06:37 AM PDT by SMGFan
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To: Dawgreg

My own question has been answered. I didn’t see the last line of the post. My tired old eyes haven’t focused yet. It was her and she was halarious!


57 posted on 06/03/2012 8:07:27 AM PDT by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: John W

Wow!
It’s the Diana Dors Show!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ALvYFKoj0w


58 posted on 06/03/2012 8:11:05 AM PDT by SMGFan
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To: miss marmelstein

I thought that was odd too. That show was great.


59 posted on 06/03/2012 8:14:19 AM PDT by Sawdring
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To: jocon307

Once on FF, the question during the round at the end of the show was, ‘What month do most women find out when they are pregnant?’ and the woman responded, “September.” Richard started laughing and he couldn’t stop. When the second woman came up to try win and got the same question, he started laughing again until he was crying.

Another time, I remember the family got 199 points on the Fast Money round and needed only one point to win. The second woman who came up, got so freaked out when she was told that she needed one point that she gave the worst answers and didn’t get a single point. Richard gave it to them anyway.

Class act all around. RIP Richard. You were and will always be the best!


60 posted on 06/03/2012 8:15:19 AM PDT by Cowgirl of Justice
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