Bob Barker, the legendary host of American game show The Price Is Right, has died aged 99.
His death was confirmed in a statement to the media from his publicist Roger Neal, stating that he died of natural causes.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker, has left us,” Neal said in the statement.
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Nancy Burnet, Barker’s companion who has taken care of him and is the co-executor of his estate, also shared a statement.
“I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker and I did together to expose the cruelty to animals in the entertainment industry and including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally. We were great friends over these 40 years. He will be missed.”
Barker is survived by his half-brother Kent Valandra, nephews Robert Valandra and Chip Valandra, and niece niece Vickie Valandra Kelly.
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His wife of 35 years, Dorothy Gideon died of lung cancer in 1981. They never had children, and Barker never remarried.
Barker’s best known role was that of being the first host of The Price Is Right. Not only is it the longest running game show in American history, but he also hosted the show for 35 years, from September 1972 until his retirement in June 2007, after which he was replaced by host Drew Carey.
Carey was among those who paid tribute to the host after learning of his death.
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He simply posted a photo of the two of them enjoying cake with a broken hearted emoji.
US TV presenter Andy Cohen recalled Barker’s animal rights advocacy in his send-off. Barker would always end his program with the call out, “This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population: Have your pets spayed or neutered.”
Cohen echoed this sentiment in his tribute: “It’s a beautiful day to remember to help control the pet population [and] have your pet spayed or neutered,” he said on his Instagram Story.
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Adam Sandler, who enlisted Barker for a cameo in his 1996 film Happy Gilmore, also paid tribute“The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us.”
Actor Rob Scheider, who also worked on Happy Gilmore, recalled meeting Barker.
“One of the nicest things I ever heard in show business was Bob Barker saying, ‘I moved to Hollywood to be an actor and the only person who ever let me do it was Adam Sandler!'” he tweeted on Saturday, along with footage of the Happy Gilmore fight scene.
“This scene with them was and will always be absolutely hilarious! God bless you, Bob.”
