Peter Marshall, the charismatic host of the iconic game show “The Hollywood Squares,” has passed away at the age of 98. Marshall died of kidney failure on Thursday at his home in Encino, Los Angeles, according to his publicist Harlan Boll.
With a career spanning over six decades, Marshall was a household name, best known for his 16-year stint as the host of “The Hollywood Squares,” which aired on NBC from 1966 to 1981. The show, which became an American cultural institution, was a unique blend of humor, wit, and entertainment, featuring a tic-tac-toe game played by contestants, with Marshall posing questions designed to elicit humorous responses from the show’s regulars, including Paul Lynde, George Gobel, and Joan Rivers.
Marshall’s warm rapport with the show’s regulars and guests, which included top stars like Aretha Franklin, Mel Brooks, and Carl Reiner, made him a beloved figure in American entertainment. He won four Daytime Emmys for outstanding game show host during his run and helped launch the careers of several comedians and actors.
Before becoming a game show host, Marshall had a successful career as a singer, touring with big bands as a teenager and appearing in several Broadway musicals, including “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Skyscraper.” He also worked as a contract player for Twentieth Century Fox, appearing in films like “The Rookie” and “Swingin’ Along.”
Marshall’s journey to becoming the host of “The Hollywood Squares” was a circuitous one. He was born Ralph Pierre LaCock in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and grew up in a show business family. His sister, Joanne Dru, was an actress, and Marshall began performing at a young age, touring with the Bob Chester Orchestra as a singer at 15. He served in World War II, where he worked as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio, and later formed a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan, appearing in nightclubs and on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
After “The Hollywood Squares,” Marshall continued to work in show business, hosting several short-lived game shows and resuming his career as a singing actor. He starred in over 800 performances of “La Cage Aux Folles” on Broadway and on tour and sang in the 1983 film version of “Annie.”
Marshall is survived by his wife, Laurie Stewart, whom he married in 1989, and his four children, including son Pete LaCock, a professional baseball player. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Despite a bout with COVID-19 in 2021, Marshall remained active in his later years, tweeting about his experiences and memories of his time on “The Hollywood Squares.”
