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Host of ‘The Hollywood Squares’ was 98

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Host of 'The Hollywood Squares' was 98

Peter Marshall, the Emmy-winning game show host of “Hollywood Squares,” died Thursday in Encino of kidney failure. He was 98.

His wife Laurie said in a statement that he died at home.

He was nominated 19 times for an Emmy, with five wins, hosted more than 5,000 episodes of the original version of the game show “The Hollywood Squares” and appeared in dozens of films, musicals and TV shows.

Marshall was born Ralph Pierre LaCock in Huntington, WV. He started his career as an NBC Radio page and inaugurated the Paramount Theater. He served in the army and worked as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio.

Marshall developed a comedy act with Tommy Noonan, toured the country and appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” As a contract player at 20th Century Fox, he appeared in films such as “Ensign Pulver,” “The Rookie” and “Annie.”

He was hired to host NBC’s long-running “The Hollywood Squares” beginning in 1966, with regulars such as Paul Lynde, Joan Rivers, Rose Marie and hundreds of guest stars. The giant tic-tac-toe format gave a variety of stars the chance to roll out suggestive banter and jokes known as “zingers.”

Marshall went on to host “The Peter Marshall Variety Show,” “Big Bands From Disneyland,” the audience participation series “Fantasy” with Leslie Uggams and game shows “All-Star Blitz” and “Yahtzee.”

His TV guest appearances have included ‘The Love Boat’, ‘Hotel’, ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’, ‘Love American Style’, ‘Lou Grant’ and more.

The versatile actor, host and singer also produced and toured big band shows and released several albums. He hosted a show on the Music of Your Life radio network and hosted musical specials for PBS. His memoir ‘Backstage With the Original Hollywood Square’.

A lifelong animal lover, Marshall recently participated in a 50th anniversary celebration for Betty White’s Pet Set, hosted the Doris Day 90th Celebration and narrated “Wait for Your Laugh,” a documentary about his friend and colleague Rose Marie.

He is survived by his wife Laurie of 35 years, daughters Suzanne Browning (David) and Jaime Dimarco (Steve), son Pete LaCock (Janna) and predeceased by son David LaCock, as well as 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Donations can be made to both Actors and others for animals, Lange Foundation or the Mercy Kids Therapy and Development Center.

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