Richard Dawson
Birthday: November 20, 1932
Birth Place: Gosport, Hampshire UK

Biography:
Richard Dawson was born in Gosport, England on the 20th of November, 1932. When he was 14, he joined the Merchant Marines and served for three years. During that time he made money boxing. He had to lie about his age, and remain tough so the older guys wouldn't hassle him. In the late 1950's, Richard met a British actress by the name of Diana Dors. On the 12 of April, 1959, while in New York for an appearance on the Steve Allen Show, the two were married. Richard and Diana had a son, Mark, in 1960 and a second son, Gary, in 1962. They seperated in 1964 and eventually divorced in 1967. When he moved to the states, he began acting on the well-known series "Hogan's Heroes" in 1965. He played the loveable British Corporal Peter Newkirk. The show ended in 1971. Not long after that, in 1973, he became a panelist on "Match Game" and remained there until 1978. While still on "Match Game," he hosted his own show, which he is most remembered by, called "Family Feud." His trademark 'kissing all the female contestants' was one of the things that made the show a warm and friendly program, along with his quick wit, subtle jokes, and ability to make people feel at ease with being on camera. Some people were upset about all the kissing, but a poll taken, at that time, showed 14,600 to 704 in his favor. In 1987, Richard co-starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie "The Running Man." Richard played an egotistical gameshow host, Damon Killian, whom many say was a mirror image of himself at one time or another, during his real-life career. When Richard was 62, he hosted the third incarnation of "Family Feud" in 1994, but had only a short run. On the 6th of April, 1981, the Johnson family appeared on Family Feud and Richard was introduced to 27 year old Gretchen. They had a daughter, Shannon Nicole, in 1990, and were married in 1991. They are still married and reside in Beverly Hills, California. Richard is semi-retired and his recent Tv 'appearance' was when he narrated "Tv's Funniest Gameshow Moments" on FOX in early 2000. On Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, 2000 he hosted a Family Feud marathon which was filmed in 1995. Some people hear the name 'Richard Dawson' and may not know who you're talking about. But say his name followed by his famous quote "Survey said," or mention 'Newkirk on "Hogan's Heroes,"' and they're sure to know who you mean.


Notes:
* Joined the Merchant Marines at 14 and stayed for 3 years.
* Appeared in an episode of "The Love Boat" with Robert Goulet.
* Appeared on the Tv Special "Bizzare" by Einstein and Bye with guest Steve Martin.
* Appeared as a panelist on "Cop Out" game show pilot, never aired.
* Hosted Thanksgiving Day "Family Feud Marathon" in 1995, aired November 23rd, 2000.
* Re-occuring co-host on "The Tonight Show" during 1978-1980.
* Personal quote: "Be nice to each other. You can make a whole day a different day for everybody."
* Alive and well in Beverly Hills with his wife, Gretchen, and their 10 year-old daughter, Shannon.
* Hosted "Masquerade Party" in 1974.
* Parents were Arthur (moving van driver) & Josephine (munitions factory labourer).
* Older brother, John.
* Chopped wood when he was a kid and sold it door to door for pocket money.
* Won a Saturn Award (Academy of Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Films, USA)in 1988 for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Damon Killian in The Running Man (1987).
* Monty Hall bought the rights to Masquerade Party and revived it for syndication in 1974 with Richard Dawson as its emcee.
* On Match Game, Richard helped win the contestants approximately $3 million dollars.
* Known for all the kissing he did on Family Feud, Richard gained some criticism for it, so a poll was taken by the viewers. The results were 14,600 to 704 in his favor.
* Worked as a waiter.
* Richard became a U.S. citizen in 1984 and showed his passport and photo to America on an episode of Family Feud.
* Hosted "Family Feud" for a total of ten years: nine consecutive years (1976-1985), and one non-consecutive year (1994-95 season).
* Turned down an invitation to meet with his Family Feud successor, Louie Anderson.
* By the time he was brought back to host Family Feud in 1994, he had gained weight. He failed to lose 30 pounds, even though he was contractually required to do so.

Starring Roles:
The New Family Feud (1992) - Host - 1994-1995
Family Feud (1976) - Host - 1976-1985 and 1994-1995
Match Game 73 (1973) - Regular Panelist (1973-78)
The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971) - Richard Richardson (1973-74)
Can You Top This (1970) -
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) - Regular Performer (1971-1973)
Hogan's Heroes (1965) - Cpl. Peter Newkirk
Masquerade Party - Host - 1974
The Diana Dors Show - Himself - 1960
Guest Starring Roles:
Mama's Family - Himself - Family Feud (1983)
The Love Boat - Bert Buchanan - Accidental Cruise/The Song is Ended/A Time for Everything/Anoushka (1978)
Fantasy Island - Harry Beamus - Call Me Lucky / Torch Singer (1978)
McMillan and Wife - Roger Stambler/Ken Ryan - Aftershock (1975)
The Odd Couple - Himself - Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1975)
Hong Kong Phooey - ? - Mirror, Mirror On The Wall / Great Movie Mystery (1974)
Match Game 73 - Panelist - Episode #1 (1973)
The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie - Snipe/Furniture Man - Oliver and the Artful Dodger (2) (1972)
The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie - Snipe/Furniture Man - Oliver and the Artful Dodger (1) (1972)
Love, American Style - Melvin Danger - Love and the Private Eye (1972)
Love, American Style - - Love and the Hiccups (1971)
Love, American Style - Rick Jagmund - Love and the Groupie (1971)
McCloud - Ted Callender - Manhattan Manhunt (2) (or The Stage Is All the World) (1970)
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In - Guest Performer - Episode #5 (1968)
The Hollywood Palace - Guest - Host: Bing Crosby (1965 Christmas Show) (1965)
The Dick Van Dyke Show - Tracy Rattigan - Racy Tracy Rattigan (1963)
Can You Top This - Joke Teller - 1970
Family Feud - Himself (Archive Footage)
Fantasy Island (1998) - Gambler
I've Got a Secret - Panelist - 1976
Match Game PM - panelist
Prisoner: Cell Block H - Security Officer - Episode 416
Royal Flush - 1973
Tattletales - Panelist - 1976
The New Zoo Review - The Knight
The Steve Allen Show - Himself - 1959
Treasure Island - 1972
You Bet Your Life - 1988
Co Starring Roles:
The Outer Limits (1963) - Oliver Fair - The Invisibles (1964)
Hong Kong Phooey - (voice)
The New Dick Van Dyke Show - Richard Richardson (1973-74)
Movie/Mini-Series/Special Roles:
How To Pick Up Girls - Chandler Corey - 1978
King Rat - Weaver - 1965
Munster, Go Home - Joey - 1966
Out of Sight - Uncredited - 1966
The Devil's Brigade - Private Hugh McDonald - 1968
The Running Man - Damon Killian - 1987