Former host of Wheel of Fortune from 1975 until 1981, along with Love Connection from 1983 until 1994, and Scrabble from 1984 until 1990.
He served in the U.S. Navy before hosting television shows.
He competed in the World Poker Tour.
He fathered six children and was married four times. His fourth marriage was to Kim Barnes in 2006.
He became good friends with talk show host Phil Donahue.
