| Johnny Gilbert | |
|---|---|
| Born | John L. Gilbert III July 13, 1924 Newport News, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Game show host/announcer |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Spouse | Sheree Gilbert |
| Website | |
| http://www.johnnygilbert.tv/ | |
John L. "Johnny" Gilbert III (born July 13, 1924) is an American show business personality who has worked mainly on television game shows.[1] Originally a nightclub singer and entertainer, he has hosted and announced a number of game shows from various eras, dating as far back as the 1950s. He has become known primarily for his work as the announcer and audience host for the syndicated version of the quiz show Jeopardy! since its debut in 1984.[1]
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Gilbert was born in Newport News, Virginia. While he was still in high school, he began his career as the regular vocalist for a dance band that toured the Virginia area.[1] Upon graduation, he became the master of ceremonies for the Sky Way club in Jacksonville, Florida.[1] From there, he went on to perform full-time at various nightclubs throughout the United States. Gilbert also joined the United States Army's Seventh Army Special Services, where he was cast as the lead in the military musical comedy Xanadu: The Marco Polo Musical.[1] Upon returning to the United States, he continued to sing and entertain at nightclubs, until he received his first television assignment as a singer and emcee on WDSU in New Orleans.[2]
Gilbert's first role on national television was as the host of a game show called Music Bingo, which ran for two years on NBC and ABC.[1] His popularity on that show led him to record an album and several singles.[1] From there, Gilbert went on to emcee the game show Words and Music on KTLA-TV in Los Angeles.[1]
In 1963, Gilbert was selected by Mark Goodson to replace Don Pardo as the announcer and audience host for the original Bill Cullen-hosted version of The Price Is Right when it moved from NBC to ABC. From there, he was contracted by Avco Broadcasting to host his own local talk/variety show, The Johnny Gilbert Show, which aired on WLWD-TV (now WDTN) in Dayton, Ohio. He continued with that show for two years, until he left Dayton on short notice to move to New York, where he became the host of the Metromedia-produced game show Fast Draw. His slot was then given to Phil Donahue, who at that time was working as a reporter in WLWD-TV's news department.[1]
Following his year-long run on Fast Draw, Gilbert was contacted by Bing Crosby Productions to host the game show Beat the Odds, produced out of Los Angeles by Bill Carruthers.[1] Afterward, he went on to host the local weekday program Dialing for Dollars for two and one-half years. Gilbert also served as the announcer and audience host for Dinah Shore's syndicated daily talk show, which ran from 1974 until 1980.
Other game shows for which Gilbert has announced over the years include The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime,[1] The $25,000 Pyramid, The $100,000 Pyramid, Anything For Money,[1] Blackout, Camouflage, Chain Reaction, Dream House, Every Second Counts, Fantasy,[3] Go, Headline Chasers,[3] Jackpot,[3] The Joker's Wild, Make Me Laugh,[1] The Movie Game,[1] Perfect Match,[3] Quiz Kids Challenge, Sports Challenge,[2] Supermarket Sweep, Tic-Tac-Dough, Win, Lose or Draw,[1] and Yours for a Song.[3] Gilbert has also substituted for Gene Wood on several Goodson-Todman game shows, including Family Feud, the CBS version of Card Sharks, and Child's Play. He also succeeded Wood as permanent announcer of Chuck Woolery's game show Love Connection during the 1988-89 season,[3] only to be replaced by John Cervenka.
When Merv Griffin's quiz show Jeopardy! was returned to television in 1984 as a daily syndicated program hosted by Alex Trebek, Gilbert was selected as the show's announcer and audience host, a role he has held ever since. He has also worked as a guest announcer on Jeopardy!'s sister show, Wheel of Fortune. He announced on the episode that aired on April Fools' Day in 1997, as well as a few weeks of episodes in 2010 following the death of the show's longtime announcer, Charlie O'Donnell. Gilbert also guest announced on Wheel in late 1995, when O'Donnell was ill.
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Gene Wood on Love Connection |
Voice on Love Connection 1988-1989 |
Succeeded by John Cervenka (1989-1994; 1998-1999) |
| Preceded by Don Pardo |
Announcer on The Price Is Right September 9, 1963-September 3, 1965 |
Succeeded by Johnny Olson (in the 1972 revival) |
| Preceded by John Harlan |
Announcer on Jeopardy! 1984-present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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