SO LONG, BOB
Bob Barker dead at 99: The Price is Right host dies after 35 year stint on longest-running daytime game show
LEGENDARY Price is Right host Bob Barker has died after a 35-year stint on the longest-running daytime game show.
Bob was 99 years old at the time of his death on Saturday.
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“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us," the iconic star's publicist Roger Neal said in a statement.
Bob died peacefully at his home of natural causes in Los Angeles, his rep told .
Fans were quick to comment on the passing as one person reacted: "The man literally invented game shows. He will be missed."
Another shared: "Awww, he will be missed. Gave us countless seasons of entertainment," and one stated, "RIP legend."
Born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, , Bob was the host of his own radio show, The Bob Barker Show, in before his heyday on The Price Is Right.
In 1956, Bob transitioned into game show hosting when he replaced Jack Bailey on Truth or Consequences, where contestants had just two seconds to answer a trivia question correctly before "Beulah the Buzzer" sounded.
In September 1972, Bob officially became the host of The Price Is Right.
Created by Bob Stewart, Mark Goodson, and Bill Todman, The Price Is Right revolves around contestants competing by identifying accurate pricing of merchandise to win cash and prizes.
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Contestants are selected from the audience when the announcer states the show's famous catchphrase: "Come on down!"
'THE MONEY!'
"I’m often asked what I loved most about my years with [The Price Is Right], and the first thing that pops to mind is … the money, of course!” Bob once joked to during a rare interview in 2021.
He added: "There was much to love. I had the pleasure of working with a dedicated and talented cast and crew for 35 great years. Particularly close to my heart was the ability our vast popularity gave me to remind our entire audience daily about the importance of spaying and neutering your pets.”
Bob served as the popular game show's host for nearly 40 years until he retired in June 2007, when Drew Carey took over.
Drew, 65, also told the outlet during the same interview: "I knew I could never be Bob, and I wasn’t going to try to be Bob.
"We went out to lunch, and his advice was: 'Don’t try to copy me. Just make it your own show.'"
Following his retirement, Bob told of his long run on the game show: "It’s a lot more fun to do than a person might realize.
"Each audience has its own personality. It’s like mining for gold. I’m looking for little gems with whom I can create spontaneous entertainment. It’s great satisfaction."
Bob was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2004, and also won 19 Daytime Emmys for hosting The Price is Right.
During his run, Bob also made a notable appearance in Adam Sandler's 1996 film Happy Gilmore.
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In the role, Bob played himself and memorably got into a fistfight with Adam's character, where the comic uttered the famous words: "The price is wrong, Bobby."
The TV personality, who didn’t have kids, was married to Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 until her death in 1981.
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