A Sudden Heart Attack
Skip Stephenson, the comedian and actor best known for co-hosting the popular NBC show Real People, died on May 18, 1992, at the age of 52. He suffered an apparent heart attack at his home in Studio City, Los Angeles, and was pronounced dead at the Medical Center of North Hollywood.
Stephenson was a smoker, which may have contributed to his cardiac arrest. He had no known history of heart problems, and his death came as a shock to his fans and colleagues.
A Successful Career
Stephenson was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on April 18, 1940. He started his career as a radio DJ in Alliance, Nebraska, before moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue stand-up comedy. He performed at the L.A. Cabaret Comedy Club and the Comedy Store, and appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1977.
He released a comedy album, The Real Comedy of Skip Stephenson, in 1980, and a video, Skip Stephenson Live at the Comedy Store, in 1991. He also wrote country music, and had a song called “In this Honky Tonk Saloon” copyrighted in 1977.
His big break came in 1979, when he became one of the co-hosts of Real People, a show that featured ordinary people with extraordinary stories, hobbies, and talents. He was known for his quirky comments and playful flirtings with co-host Sarah Purcell. The show was a hit, and ran for five seasons until 1984.
Stephenson also appeared on several TV shows and game shows, such as The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, Match Game, Hollywood Squares, Password Plus, The Dinah Shore Show, and The Merv Griffin Show. He was the last star to play the Head-to-Head Match on the final episode of Match Game in 1982, and his response was a match that won the contestant $10,000.
A Personal Life
Stephenson was married twice, but both marriages ended in divorce. He had no children. He was close to his mother, who died in 1989. He was also a devout Catholic, and attended church regularly.
He had a passion for cars, and owned several vintage models, including a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 1965 Ford Mustang. He also enjoyed playing golf and tennis.
He was a generous and kind person, who supported various charities and causes, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the American Cancer Society. He also visited hospitals and schools to entertain and inspire children.
Skip Stephenson will be remembered as a talented and charismatic entertainer, who brought joy and laughter to millions of people. He left behind a legacy of humor and humanity. As he once said, “I love making people happy. That’s what it’s all about.”
