Peter Marshall, the well-loved host of the famous game show The Hollywood Squares, has passed away at the age of 98. He died on August 15, 2024, due to kidney failure, as confirmed by his publicist, Harlan Boll, and his wife. Peter Marshall was a significant figure in television, known for his humor and charm, which made him a favorite among viewers.
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Early Life and Career Start
Peter Marshall who was originally christened as Ralph Pierre LaCock has March 30, 1926 as his birth date and he was born in Huntington, West Virginia. As young as 15 years of age, he worked as a page and usher at NBC Radio and at the Paramount Theater in Times Square. These early jobs were important in preparing him for the future, and also gave him a taste of the entertainment business.
Marshall was conscripted in the Army in 1944, when the United States of America was in the middle of the Second World War. After he was drafted, he remained performing by hosting shows on Armed Forces Radio. After the war he teamed up with Tommy Noonan to become a comedy team and worked in night clubs, theaters and on such television programmes as The Ed Sullivan Show.
The Hollywood Squares: A Major Breakthrough
Peter Marshall found himself in the fame slot when he was selected to host The Hollywood Squares in 1966. The game show which is a televised celebrity tic-tac-toe game show became a huge success. He was always quick witted and friendly and was well suited for the job of hosting the show. He was able to anchor more than five thousand episodes before the show came to an end in 1980.
It was followed by A nighttime Hollywood Squares from 1971 to 1981 proving that Marshall was the go-to TV host.
Acting and Stage Work
Besides hosting, Peter Marshall also became active as an actor on television and movies. He acted in The Rookie (1959), Swingin’ Along (1961), Ensign Pulver (1964), The Cavern (1964). He was also an active Theater actor, which in 1962 acted in the West End production of Bye Bye Birdie and on Broadway in Skyscraper (1965) and The Music Man.
Family and Legacy
Peter Marshall was not only a star on screen and stage but also a loving family man. He is survived by his wife, Laurie, his daughters Suzanne Browning and Jaime Dimarco, and his son Pete LaCock, who played baseball for the Chicago Cubs.
