| Tom Kennedy | |
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Kennedy as the host of You Don't Say!. |
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| Born | James Edward Narz[1] February 26, 1927 [1] Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Occupation | Game show host |
| Years active | 1958–1989 |
| Spouse | Betty Gevedon (1948–2011) (her death) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Jack Narz (brother) |
James Edward Narz (born February 26, 1927), known professionally as Tom Kennedy, is an American television presenter best known for his work in game shows. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the younger brother of host Jack Narz who was 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.
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Kennedy's 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.
His other hosting credits include The Big Game (1958), 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 Real Tom Kennedy Show, in the early 1970s, and appeared as a panelist on To Tell the Truth. As an actor, he made guest appearances on such shows as The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Cannon, Cybill, and Hardcastle and McCormick.
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".
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.
| Media offices | ||
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| 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 Edition September 9, 1985 – September 5, 1986 |
Succeeded by Doug Davidson in 1994 |
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