Tom Kennedy (television presenter)
| Tom Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
James Edward Narz[1] February 26, 1927 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Occupation | Game show host |
| Years active | 1958–1989 |
| Notable credit(s) |
You Don't Say (1963-69, '75) Whew! (1979–1980) Password Plus (1980–1982) Body Language (1984–1986) The Price Is Right (1985–1986, nighttime) Wordplay (1986–1987) |
| Spouse(s) | 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.[1]
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he is the younger brother of host Jack Narz. Kennedy has hosted multiple game shows in his career, including You Don't Say!, Split Second and Name That Tune.
Shows
Kennedy's biggest hit series were You Don't Say!, which aired on NBC from 1963–69, and on ABC in 1975); Split Second (1972–75); Name That Tune (1974–81); and Password Plus, which he hosted from 1980–82 following the illness (and later death) of original host Allen Ludden.[2]
His other hosting credits include The Big Game (1958), Doctor IQ (1958–59), It's Your Bet (1971–72), Break the Bank (1976), 50 Grand Slam (1976), To Say the Least (1977–78), Whew! (1979–80), Body Language (1984–86), a syndicated nighttime version of The Price Is Right (1985–86) and Wordplay (1986–87).[2] He briefly hosted a talk show, The Real Tom Kennedy Show, in the early 1970s, and appeared as a panelist on To Tell the Truth.[2]
As an actor, he made guest appearances on such shows as The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Cannon, Cybill, Hardcastle and McCormick and Laugh-In.[2]
Before beginning his game show career, he was announcer on the Betty White sitcom, Date with the Angels. His brother, Jack Narz, had been the announcer on White's former series Life With Elizabeth.
Retirement
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".
Awards
In 2005, he and his brother, Jack Narz, were co-recipients of the Game Show Congress' Bill Cullen Award for Lifetime Achievement. (Cullen was a brother-in-law to Narz and Kennedy).
See also
References
- 1 2 Baber, David (2007). Television Game Show Hosts: Biographies of 32 Stars. McFarland & Co. p. 131. ISBN 0-7864-2926-7. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Tom Kennedy at the Internet Movie Database
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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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