(ProsperNews.net) – Chuck Woolery, beloved game show host known for his roles on Wheel of Fortune, Love Connection, and Scrabble, has passed away at the age of 83. Woolery died at his home in Texas surrounded by family, his friend and podcast co-host Mark Young confirmed to the Associated Press. He is survived by his wife, Kristen, and his children Michael, Sean, and Melissa.
Woolery’s career spanned decades, making him one of television’s most recognizable hosts. He debuted as the original host of Wheel of Fortune in 1975 alongside co-host Susan Stafford, who fondly remembered their time together. “Chuck Woolery was without a doubt the Real Deal,” Stafford said in a statement. “There was no one like Chuck. He had so much energy and was the same warm, caring, genuine person offstage as he was on. I’m grateful to know I’ll see him again.”
After leaving Wheel of Fortune in 1981 due to a salary dispute, Woolery transitioned to other hit programs. In 1983, he began hosting Love Connection, a role he held for 11 years. He became famous for his signature sign-off: “We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds.” He also hosted Scrabble, Lingo, Greed, and a brief revival of The Dating Game. His influence on game show history earned him induction into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1978.
Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery served in the U.S. Navy before pursuing a career in music and television. He performed as part of the psychedelic rock duo The Avant-Garde and worked as a truck driver while chasing his musical aspirations. His big break came after singing “Delta Dawn” on The Merv Griffin Show, leading Griffin to cast him as the host of Wheel of Fortune.
Later in life, Woolery became a prominent conservative-libertarian voice, hosting a political podcast and advocating for gun rights. He often expressed his views as a constitutionalist, though he admitted keeping his politics private during his Hollywood career to avoid professional repercussions.
Chuck Woolery leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazer in game show television and an enduring figure in American pop culture.
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