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Richard Dawson (born 20 November 1932) is an accomplished American actor, comedian, presenter and panellist from Gosport.
The TV game show Family Quiz is hosted by British-American actor, comedian and guest star Richard Dawson. He is not only famous for this show, which is one of the highest-rated daytime shows and also won him an Emmy Award.
Born in England, he began his career as a stand-up comedian after serving in the British Merchant Navy. After appearing on British radio and television, he came to the United States and began to appear in small roles. He rose to fame playing Corporal Peter Newkirk on the CBS sitcom Hogan’s Heroes.
Richard Dawson became a well-known star during his six seasons on the show. He also played a major broadcasting role as a regular on the game show Match Game.
Richard Dawson has appeared in a number of films, including The Running Man, most notably opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Critics praised his performance in the film highly.
British American actor
Richard Dawson |
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 Richard Dawson: History • Biography • Photos |
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| Wiki facts and figures | |
| Name: | Richard Dawson |
| Date of Birth: | November 20, 1932 (79 years old) |
| place of birth: | Gosport, United Kingdom |
| Country of Citizenship: | English, American |
| high: | 1.75 m |
| parents: | Josephine Emme, Arthur Emme |
| Brothers and sisters: | John Leslie Em |
| Wife • Spouse: | Gretchen Johnson (m. 1991-2012), Diana Dors (m. 1959-1966) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | not applicable |
| Children: | Shannon Dawson, Gary Dawson, Mark Dawson |
| Profession: | Actor • Comedian |
| net worth: | $100,000 |
early life
Richard Dawson was born to Josephine Emme and Arthur Emme in Gosport, England, on November 20, 1932. His mother, Josephine Emme, worked in a munitions factory, and his father, Arthur Emme, drove a truck. His elder brother, John Leslie Emme, was a businessman.
During World War II, he and his brother had to leave home as children to escape bombing.
Therefore, he could only continue to go to school for a few years.
Profession
Richard Dawson left home at a young age and subsequently served in the British Merchant Navy for three years, first as a waiter and later as a laundryman. During this time, he began boxing as an amateur to supplement his income.
After serving in the Merchant Navy, he changed his stage name to Dickie Dawson and began performing stand-up comedy in West End clubs, including the famous Stork Room. As an adult, he adopted the name Richard Dawson.
In 1954 he appeared on the BBC radio programmes How Do You Do and Midday Music Hall, and also on the BBC television programme The Benny Hill Showcase.
He married Diana Doles in 1959. In 1958 and 1959, he appeared with Diana Doles on several shows, including Alan Melville, Takes You from A to Z, The Steve Alan Plymouth Show, The Diana Doles Show, and Juke Box Jury.
Soon after moving to the United States in the early 1960s, he began making brief guest appearances on a number of television shows, including four episodes of The Jack Benny Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Outer Limits and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour between 1963 and 1964.
During this period, Richard Dawson had several small roles in films such as Promises! Promises! and The Longest Day (1962), but was not credited. He played a weaver in the 1965 film The Rat King.
He got his big break in American television when he was chosen to play British officer Corporal Peter Newkirk in the CBS series Hogan’s Heroes. A German POW camp in World War II was the setting for a sitcom about POWs. The show aired for six seasons from 1965 to 1971 and made Richard Dawson a celebrity.
During this time, he continued to appear in other films and television shows. In 1966, he had uncredited roles in the films Out of Sight, The Munsters, Go Home!, and in 1968, The Devil’s Brigade. In 1967, he appeared in two episodes of Mr. Terrific, and in 1970, he appeared on television in MacLeod.
During this period, Richard Dawson also released his 45 rpm records on Carnation Records. His Children’s Parade songs were also included on the records. In 1970, he joined the lineup of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, where he appeared frequently until 1973. In 1970, he also joined the lineup of the game show Can You Top This?
He also appeared in three episodes of the comedy anthology series Love, American Style from 1971 to 1972. He also provided voiceovers for the film Treasure Island and the television shows Hong Kong Kids (1974) and Wait Until Your Daddy Comes Home (1972).
In addition, Richard Dawson appeared as a panelist on the show I’ve Got a Secret in 1972 and served as a guest host on The Bob Braun Show in 1972. In 1973, he joined the celebrity jury of the TV game show Match Game.
Richard Dawson’s quick wit and cheerful demeanor made him a fan favorite during the show’s run, which lasted until 1978. His second show, Family Quiz, a spinoff game show, premiered on ABC in 1976 and quickly became a hit, riding on the success of Matching Game. The show ran until 1985.
At its peak, Family Question was the highest-rated syndicated and midday show. The show aired 11 times a week, five of which were during the day.
Richard Dawson made a great first impression with his charisma, sense of humor and ability to make people feel at ease in front of the camera. He was also known for kissing every female contestant, earning him the nickname “The Kiss Thief”.
After facing criticism, he encouraged people to vote on whether the custom should be stopped. The overwhelming consensus was in favor of keeping it.
He later said that his mother had performed the move with him as a child to bring him love and good luck. Richard Dawson also appeared in seven episodes of The New Dick Van Dyke Show from 1973 to 1974 and in the television movie How to Pick Up Girls from the 1970s to 1978.
He also appeared in an episode of The Love Boat in 1978, Fantasy Island in 1978, McMillan and Wife in 1975, and Bachelor’s Place in 1975. Richard Dawson was a guest host on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on several occasions from 1979 to 1980.
He hosted two television specials: Richard Dawson and You Bet Your Life in 1988 and I Remember It Well: The ABC Daytime Show’s 25th Anniversary Minute in 1984.
He starred in the dystopian action film The Running Man opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. His performance as the arrogant game show host Damon Killian received positive reviews from critics and won him an award.
In 1994, Richard Dawson returned to the television screen to host the final season of Family Quiz (1988-95), after which he announced his retirement. In 2000, he narrated TV’s Funniest Game Show on the Fox Network.
Personal life
Diana Dors, a British film and television actress, married Richard Dawson in 1959. They had two sons, Gary Dawson and Mark Dawson, who were given to Richard Dawson as part of their divorce settlement in 1967.
He met Gretchen Johnson, who would become his second wife, in 1981 while filming Family Feud. She entered the competition, and they tied the knot in 1991. A year earlier, their daughter, Shannon Dawson, was born.
Cause of death
Richard Dawson was a chain smoker, once smoking four packs a day, until, in 1994, his daughter convinced him to quit.
He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died from the consequences of the disease on June 2, 2012.
net worth
Richard Dawson was an American actor, comedian, and game show host who had a net worth of over $100,000 at the time of his death.
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