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The 28 Most Popular Game Show Hosts, Then and Now

Whether you want to buy a vowel or make a deal, there's no question that these game show hosts are ready to have fun.

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Everyone's got their favorite. We have the classics, like Chuck Woolery and Bob Barker, the legends like Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak — and the newcomers like Anthony Anderson and Jane Lynch. Sure, contestants keep things interesting, but it's just good old fashioned fun to see regular people win life-changing amounts of money.

And viewers are definitely into it. Game Show Network airs encores of classics, as well as new games. Originally game shows were more of a daytime thing, but tons of older game shows have sparked primetime revivals in the past few years, like Match Game, 100,000 Pyramid and Press Your Luck. And if you're too young to remember the originals, the networks are putting current celebs like Elizabeth Banks, Joel McHale and Steve Harvey in the host spots to attract new viewers.

And that's just the beginning. A reboot of Supermarket Sweep is starting in fall 2020, and viewers are pumped. Netflix even released 15 episodes of the classic show ahead of the reboot's premiere. There are also versions of You Bet Your Life and Wipeout in the works. Whether you love to watch them, dream of being on them, or both, game show hosts are a big part of what draws viewers in.

Basically, game shows are all about fun. There's definitely the nostalgia element since some of today's shows date back to the '60s, but hosts are now putting a modern spin on these classics. And newer ones like The Wall and Ellen's Game of Games are proof that game shows are a staple that aren't going anywhere. We check in on original game show hosts from way back when, as well as the hosts of today's favorites.

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Wheel of Fortune: Chuck Woolery (Then)

You probably remember him as the long-time host of Love Connection, but did you know that Chuck Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune? The word puzzle game show started in 1975 on daytime at NBC. Woolery led the show until 1981 with co -host and letter-turner Susan Stafford. After a long stint on the original Love Connection, he hosted Scrabble, Greed and Lingo. Today, he hosts a radio show and podcast.

RELATED: The Full Schedule of Fall TV Shows to Watch This Year

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Wheel of Fortune: Pat Sajak (Now)

It's now the longest-running syndicated game show in the country, and a lot of that success as to do with the quick wit of host Pat Sajak. Sajak is the longest-running host of any game show, a title he holds in the Guinness World Records. Even though Sajak has a long run, you really can't think of Wheel without the woman walking in by his side. Vanna White became the regular hostess in 1982, and even stepped in as a host in 2019 when Sajak had emergency surgery.

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Jeopardy!: Art Fleming (Then)

Few people remember a time for Jeopardy! without Alex Trebek, but the show actually dates back to 1964 with a different host. Art Fleming originally led the quiz show until 1975, and then again from 1978–1979. Originally an actor, Fleming was discovered by Merv Griffin for his role in a commercial. Fleming continued to act Jeopardy! was originally canceled, and then refused to return for the 1983 revival. Fleming died from pancreatic cancer in 1995.

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Jeopardy!: Alex Trebek (Now)

Back in his native Canada, Alex Trebek started hosting game shows in 1963. Ten years later, he moved to the U.S. and hosted The Wizard of Odds, High Rollers and The $128,000 Question. When Merv Griffin decided to revive Jeopardy! in 1983, Trebek took over as host. He won seven Daytime Emmys for outstanding game show host. Trebek passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020.

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The Price is Right: Bob Barker (Then)

Despite Bill Cullen being the first host of The Price is Right in 1956, it was Bob Barker who helmed the newer version from 1972 to 2007. Barker's sense of humor and gentle demeanor definitely helped make the daytime game show the success it is. He is an animal rights supporter and closed each show with a reminder to spay and neuter your pets. The 19-time Emmy Award winner has also acted, memorably playing himself in Happy Gilmore.

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The Price is Right: Drew Carey (Now)

He had some big shoes to step into, but actor and comedian Drew Carey has been doing a fantastic job as host since 2007. He got his start on Star Search in 1988 and then caught the attention of Johnny Carson in 1991. He's known for starring in The Drew Carey Show in and the comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? Before he started asking contestants to name the price of common items, Carey hosted Power of 10, a CBS game show.

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The $10,000 Pyramid: Dick Clark (Then)

The $10,000 Pyramid debuted in 1973 with Dick Clark as host. Clark was already a household name thanks to the success of American Bandstand, which he hosted from 1956 to 1989. Despite its popularity, Pyramid was often canceled and renewed. The prize kept going up, and Clark finished hosting in 1988 at The $100,000 Pyramid. The well-known television personality also hosted Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Clark died in 2012.

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The $100,000 Pyramid: Michael Strahan (Now)

In 2016, Pyramid was revived with a $100,00o prize as part of ABC's game show lineup. Michael Strahan has been hosting the show, which was renewed for a fifth season. Before Pyramid, Strahan had a long career as a defensive end with the New York Giants. He was the co-host of Live! With Kelly and Michael for four years before joining Good Morning America and Strahan, Sara & Keke.

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Match Game: Gene Rayburn (Then)

Gene Rayburn was the host of Match Game from its daytime premiere in 1962 until 1984. In the beginning, contestants could win a few hundred dollars for matching answers with celebrity panelists. Rayburn was a popular radio host, as well as a Broadway and television actor. Match Game was incredibly popular in the '70s and went through a few revivals with hosts Ross Shafer and Michael Burger. Rayburn died in 1999 from congestive heart failure.

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Match Game: Alec Baldwin (Now)

In 2016, ABC announced another revival of The Match Game, with actor and comedian Alec Baldwin in the host spot. The hour-long show is split into two games with a potential prize of $25,000 per game. Baldwin brings his clever wit to the series, which is even funnier thanks to a rotating panel of his celebrity friends, like Joel McHale, Jason Alexander and Caroline Rhea.

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Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Regis Philbin (Then)

Is that your final answer? It's the question that everyone asked when Millionaire premiered to huge popularity in 1999. Philbin hosted through 2002. He had an amazing career, well-known for Live with Regis and Kathie and then Live with Regis and Kelly. The show continued to air with Meredith Vieira, Cedric the Entertainer, Terry Crews and Chris Harrison as hosts through 2019 when the syndicated version was canceled. Philbin died in July 2020.

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Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Jimmy Kimmel (Now)

In January 2020, ABC renewed Millionaire for a nine-episode season hosted by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The show featured celebrities in the hot seat who were playing for charity. Before the season premiered, Kimmel sat down with Philbin to discuss the reboot for the show's 20th anniversary. The show was renewed for a second season, which will air in Fall 2020. In addition to celebrities, the show will feature front-line heroes as contestants.

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Let's Make a Deal: Monty Hall (Then)

Monty Hall started working in radio in Canada before moving to New York City. Let's Make a Deal was developed, produced and hosted Hall in 1963. The show, known for having contestants in wild costumes, shifted around in daytime and primetime. Hall concluded hosting duties in 1986 on The All-New Let's Make a Deal. Hall died from heart failure in 2017.

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Let's Make a Deal: Wayne Brady (Now)

In 2009, CBS revived the game show in daytime with Wayne Brady in the hosting role. The actor and comedian was a star of the improve show Whose Line Is It Anyway? He also hosted his own daytime talk show. Besides hosting, Brady is also a singer and performer, notably starring in Kinky Boots on Broadway.

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To Tell the Truth: Bud Collyer (Then)

To Tell the Truth aired on networks and in syndication, starting in 1956. Bud Collyer was the original host until 1968. He was also an actor and announcer. The show went on to have other popular hosts, like Alex Trebek and John O'Hurley.

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To Tell the Truth: Anthony Anderson (Now)

ABC ordered the renewal of the classic game show host in 2016, with Anthony Anderson as the host. Anderson is well known as an actor on All About the Andersons and Black-ish. Aside from hosting, he also appears on many other game shows, as well as Iron Chef America. The show continues to air on ABC. Its fifth season debuted in May 2020.

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Card Sharks: Jim Perry (Then)

Card Sharks is based on a card game called Acey Deucey. It premiered in 1978 with Jim Perry as the original host. Perry, who also acted, was the host of game shows in the U.S. and Canada. Card Sharks continued to air through 2001.

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Card Sharks: Joel McHale (Now)

Joel McHale, an actor and comedian, is the host of the 2019 primetime reboot. Card Sharks was renewed for a second season. Before Card Sharks, McHale hosted The Soup on E! for 11 years. He also starred in the sitcom Community. In 2018, McHale hosted his own half-hour talk show on Netflix.

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Family Feud: Richard Dawson (Then)

Family Feud started airing in 1976 with Richard Dawson as the host. The show brings families from around the country to answer popular survey questions. Dawson was also well known as an actor on Hogan's Heroes. Future seasons were hosted in daytime and primetime by Ray Combs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn and John O'Hurley.

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Family Feud: Steve Harvey (Now)

Steve Harvey took over hosting duties for the show in 2010. Harvey is a successful standup comedian, author, actor and host. He's known for his work on the popular music show Showtime at the Apollo. In 2015, ABC called for Celebrity Family Feud, a primetime spin-off hosting celebrity families and friends. Both versions of the popular show have been renewed.

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Hollywood Squares: Peter Marshall (Then)

The original version of Hollywood Squares, AKA trivia tic tac toe, started airing in 1966. Peter Marshall was the original host and held the post until 1981. Marshall got his start as part of a comedy duo in the '50s. He came back to the show in 2002 as a panelist when Tom Bergeron was the host.

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Nashville Squares: Bob Saget (Now)

Although Hollywood Squares was canceled in 2004, a spin-off was developed on CMT. Nashville Squares started airing in 2019 with Bob Saget as the host. Saget, AKA Danny Tanner, is best known for playing the patriarch on Fuller House. He's also no stranger to game shows, having hosted 1 vs. 100 from 2006 to 2008.

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The Joker's Wild: Jack Barry (Then)

The Joker's Wild premiered in 1972 with Jack Barry as the host and creator. The original game used a slot machine and trivia questions for contestants to win prizes. Barry was part of a quiz show scandal in the 1950s. The show continued to air in syndication. Barry hosted Joker until his death in 1984.

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The Joker's Wild: Snoop Dogg (Now)

A version of the popular game show was revived by TBS in 2017 as Snoop Dogg Presents The Joker's Wild. In 2019, the show moved to TNT. The rapper is also the executive producer. Contestants have a chance to win big bucks, unless they decide to quit and accept Snoop's cash offer.

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Weakest Link: Anne Robinson (Then)

Weakest Link was originally a hit in the U.K. before NBC filmed its own version in the U.S. 2001. Anne Robinson, the host from the BBC version, brought her sharp style with the classic line, "You are the weakest link. Goodbye!" When the show syndicated in 2002, George Gray took over hosting duties.

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Weakest Link: Jane Lynch (Now)

No one is sure yet if Jane Lynch will follow in Robinson's serious footsteps. But given the success of Hollywood Game Night, it's a safe bet to say Lynch will bring her humor and effervescent personality to the reboot of Weakest Link. The show will premiere in September 2020.

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You Bet Your Life: Groucho Marx (Then)

The quiz show started in radio before moving to television in 1950. The original version was hosted by Groucho Marx — and his trademark cigar. The game show only aired until 1961, eventually changing its name to The Groucho Show. Despite the gameplay being at the forefront for contestants, Marx's comedy was truly what sold the show.

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You Bet Your Life: Jay Leno (Upcoming)

Jay Leno will be back in the hosting chair on the syndicated revival of You Bet Your Life. The comedian, actor and former late-night host of The Tonight Show is already generating some buzz for this reboot of the 1950s classic. The revival is set to premiere in fall 2021.

Jennifer Vishnevsky Jennifer is a freelance writer/editor covering entertainment, lifestyle, travel and health.

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Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g34005508/game-show-hosts-then-and-now/

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