Bill Cullen was a famous game show host who had a long and successful career in the entertainment industry. He hosted 23 shows, earning the nickname “Dean of Game Show Hosts”. He was also a regular panelist and celebrity guest on many other game shows, such as I’ve Got a Secret and To Tell the Truth. He was known for his witty humor, friendly personality, and distinctive voice. However, his life and career were also marked by physical challenges and health problems that eventually led to his death in 1990. This article will explore how bill cullen cause of death ended the career of a legendary game show host.
Early Life and Polio
Bill Cullen was born on February 18, 1920, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was an only child and suffered from poor eyesight that required him to wear thick glasses. When he was 18 months old, he contracted polio, a viral infection that can cause paralysis and muscle weakness. He survived the disease, but it left him with significant physical limitations for the rest of his life. He had difficulty walking and standing, and often used a cane or crutches to support himself. He also had a limp and a slight hunchback.
Despite his physical challenges, Bill Cullen was determined to pursue his dream of becoming a broadcaster. He was interested in sports and wanted to be a sportscaster. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied pre-med, but had to drop out due to financial difficulties. He then started working as a disc jockey and play-by-play announcer for local radio stations in Pittsburgh. He also wrote jokes for some of the top radio stars of the day, such as Arthur Godfrey, Danny Kaye, and Jack Benny.
Game Show Career
In 1944, Bill Cullen moved to New York City to try his luck in the big leagues of radio. He soon landed a job as a staff announcer at CBS, where he worked on various shows and programs. In 1945, he got his first break as a game show host when he was hired as the announcer for Give And Take, a radio quiz show. He later took over as the host when the original host left.
From then on, Bill Cullen became one of the most popular and prolific game show hosts in America. He hosted many shows on both radio and television, such as Winner Take All, Hit the Jackpot, The Price Is Right, Eye Guess, Three on a Match, Chain Reaction, Blockbusters, and many more. He was also a frequent guest on other game shows, such as What’s My Line?, Password, Match Game, and Hollywood Squares. He was admired by audiences and colleagues alike for his quick wit, charm, and professionalism.
Bill Cullen was especially known for hosting the original version of The Price Is Right from 1956 to 1965. The show was a huge hit and made him a household name. The show featured contestants bidding on various items and prizes by guessing their retail prices. Bill Cullen was praised for his ability to make the show entertaining and engaging with his humorous comments and interactions with the contestants and the audience.
Car Accident and Lung Cancer
However, Bill Cullen’s life was not without tragedy. In 1937, when he was 17 years old, he was involved in a serious car accident that left him hospitalized for nine months. He suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, a broken jaw, and a punctured lung. He also lost several teeth and had to undergo several surgeries to repair his face.
The car accident worsened his already fragile health condition and caused him more pain and discomfort throughout his life. He also developed a habit of smoking cigarettes to cope with his stress and pain. This habit would eventually lead to his demise.
In 1985, Bill Cullen was diagnosed with lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments to fight the disease, but it proved to be too aggressive and spread to other parts of his body. He continued to work as much as he could until he became too weak and ill to do so.
On July 7, 1990, Bill Cullen died at his home in Bel Air, California from heart failure due to lung cancer complications. He was 70 years old. He was survived by his wife Ann Roemheld Macomber, whom he married in 1955 after two previous divorces.
Legacy
Bill Cullen is widely regarded as one of the greatest game show hosts of all time. He hosted more than 20 different game shows over five decades and appeared on countless others as a panelist or guest. He influenced many other game show hosts who followed him, such as Bob Barker , Alex Trebek , Pat Sajak , Regis Philbin , and Steve Harvey . He was also a beloved figure in the entertainment industry and a generous philanthropist who supported many causes and charities.
Bill Cullen was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2008 and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2013. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a plaque on the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation’s Historic Landmark Plaques Program.
Bill Cullen’s death was a sad loss for the game show world and the entertainment industry. He left behind a legacy of excellence, humor, and kindness that will never be forgotten. He was truly the Dean of Game Show Hosts.
