Peter Marshall at 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Award at Pasadena Civic Center, 2018. Photo by Richard Shotwell.
Peter Marshall, the actor and singer who became a beloved game show host, has passed away at the age of 98. He died on Thursday from kidney failure at his home in Encino, Los Angeles, as confirmed by publicist Harlan Boll.
Marshall is best remembered for his role as the host of "The Hollywood Squares," a show he led for 16 years. His easy-going style and knack for comedy helped shape the modern game show format. Over the course of more than 5,000 episodes, he became a familiar face on NBC from 1966 to 1981. Though the game involved a simple tic-tac-toe board, the true draw was the light-hearted banter between Marshall and his celebrity guests. He designed questions to elicit humorous answers from regulars like Paul Lynde, George Gobel, and Joan Rivers, turning the show into a platform for comedy.
Marshall often described his job as effortless, recalling in a 2010 interview, “I walked in, said ‘Hello stars,’ read questions, and laughed. And it paid very well.” Under his stewardship, “The Hollywood Squares” became a staple of American television, winning four Daytime Emmys for best game show and inspiring numerous international adaptations and U.S. reboots. The show also featured an array of guest stars, including Aretha Franklin and Mel Brooks.
Before becoming a household name, Marshall had a diverse career. He had been a teenager touring with big bands, worked in comedy teams, and appeared in films as a contract player for Twentieth Century Fox. He also performed in Broadway musicals before taking on the game show host role. Marshall once said that hosting “The Hollywood Squares” was a chance opportunity that unexpectedly turned into a 16-year stint.
The show evolved over time, especially after a producer suggested incorporating jokes for Paul Lynde, the sharp-tongued comic actor who became a central figure on the show. Marshall recalled how this shift made his job easier, allowing him to blend his straight-man approach with the humor of his celebrity guests.
Marshall was born Ralph Pierre LaCock in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and moved around the state during his childhood. After the death of his father when Marshall was 10, he lived with his grandparents while his mother and sister, actress Joanne Dru, pursued careers in New York. At 15, he began touring as a singer with the Bob Chester Orchestra and worked various jobs, including as an NBC Radio page and an usher at the Paramount Theater.
During World War II, he served in Italy, where he began working as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio. In the late 1940s, he formed a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan and made appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Though major film roles were elusive, he found success in musical theater, starring in productions such as “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Skyscraper.”
After “The Hollywood Squares,” Marshall continued his career in show business, hosting other game shows and performing in Broadway shows like “La Cage Aux Folles.” He also appeared in the 1983 film version of “Annie.” Marshall was married three times, with his final marriage to Laurie Stewart in 1989. The couple weathered a bout with COVID-19 in 2021.
Marshall leaves behind his wife Laurie, four children, including son Pete LaCock, a former professional baseball player, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
