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| Tom Kennedy | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Edward Narz[1] February 26, 1927 [1] Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Occupation | Game show host |
| Years active | 1958–1989 |
| Spouse(s) | Betty Gevedon (1948-present) |
James Edward Narz (born February 26, 1927; Louisville, Kentucky) is a television presenter more commonly known by the name Tom Kennedy, best known for his work in game shows. The younger brother of host Jack Narz and the brother-in-law of host Bill Cullen, Kennedy has hosted multiple game shows in his career, including You Don't Say!, Split Second and Name That Tune.
Contents |
Shows
His biggest hit series were You Don't Say! (which aired on NBC from 1963-1969 and on ABC in 1975), Split Second (1972-1975), Name That Tune (1974-1981), and Password Plus, which he hosted from 1980-1982 following the illness (and later death) of original host Allen Ludden due to stomach cancer.
Other hosting credits include Doctor IQ (1958-1959), Break the Bank (1976), To Say the Least (1977-1978), Body Language (1984-1986), 50 Grand Slam (1976), Whew! (1979-1980), It's Your Bet (1971-1972), Wordplay (1986-1987), and a syndicated nighttime version of The Price Is Right (1985-1986).
He also briefly hosted a talk show, The Tom Kennedy Show, in the early 1970s and also appeared as a panelist on To Tell the Truth.
In addition, he made guest appearances, as an actor, on such shows as The Ghost of Tom Joad, The Fall Guy, Cybill, and Hardcastle and McCormick.
Retirement
Kennedy retired in 1989 after several game-show pilots produced by his production company failed to sell. In 2003, he appeared on Hollywood Squares during "Game Show Week Part 2".
Awards
In 2005, he and his brother, Jack Narz, were co-recipients of the Game Show Congress' Bill Cullen Award for Lifetime Achievement.
In May 2007, both Kennedy and Narz were presented the Diamond Circle Award of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters at a celebrity luncheon honoring Leonard Maltin.
See also
References
- ^ a b Baber, David (2007). Television Game Show Hosts: Biographies of 32 Stars. McFarland & Co.. pp. 131. ISBN 0786429267. http://books.google.com/books?id=hr9kAAAAMAAJ&q=%22tom+kennedy%22+%22break+the+bank&dq=%22tom+kennedy%22+%22break+the+bank.
External links
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by N/A |
Host of Split Second 1972-1975 |
Succeeded by Monty Hall in 1986 |
| Preceded by Dennis James |
Host of Name That Tune 1974-1981 |
Succeeded by Jim Lange in 1984 |
| Preceded by Allen Ludden |
Host of Password Plus 1980-1982 |
Succeeded by Bert Convy on Super Password in 1984 |
| Preceded by Bobby Van on Showoffs in 1975 |
Host of Body Language 1984-1986 |
Succeeded by N/A |
| Preceded by Bob Barker |
Host of The Price Is Right (syndicated) September 9, 1985 –September 5, 1986 |
Succeeded by Doug Davidson in 1994 |
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