Peter Marshall, best known for his stint hosting the original version of Hollywood Squares (also known as The Hollywood Squares) has died at the age of 98.
A singer and leading man on Broadway, Marshall died on Thursday, August 15 from kidney failure at his Encino, California home. It was reported that Marshall was surrounded by his family during his final moments.
As mentioned above, Marshall was best known for his 16-year run as the host of Hollywood Squares between 1966 and 1981. It was during that time that Marshall earned two Emmy nominations. One nod in 1972 was for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming, and the other was the following year in 1973 for Outstanding Achievement by Individuals in Daytime.
©NBC/courtesy Everett Collection
He ultimately earned several Daytime Emmys, winning four awards. One in 1974 for Best Host or Hostess in a Game Show, another in 1975 for Outstanding Host in a Game Show or Audience Participation Show, and one each in 1980 and 1981 for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Game or Audience Participation Show.
Additionally, Marshall brought his personality to other projects over the years before and following his run with Hollywood Squares. In his earlier career, Marshall did guest bits on The Ed Sullivan Show and Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, serving up comedy to viewers.
In addition to performing, Marshall contributed as a writer for titles like Black Jack and Maryjane, the latter of which he appeared in. Marshall’s other television credits include parts in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Bold and the Beautiful, CHiPs, The Love Boat, Burke’s Law, Fantasy Island, WKRP in Cincinnati, Banacek, The Good Life, and more.
On the film side of things, Marshall appeared alongside the likes of Albert Finney and Carol Burnett in the 1982 adaptation of Annie, in which he played Bert Healy. Marshall’s other film credits include Americathon, Women in Tropical Places, Doombeach, The Last Dance, Little Voice, and Teddy Bear’s Picnic.
