kids encyclopedia robot

Alan Hamel facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Alan Hamel
Born (1936-06-30) June 30, 1936 (age 88)
Occupation Producer, Writer, Actor, television host
Years active 1960–2012
Spouse(s)
Marilyn Shapiro
(m. 1958; div. 1971)
(m. 1977; her death 2023)
Children 2

Alan Hamel (born June 30, 1936) is a Canadian entertainer, producer, and television host. He is known for hosting popular TV shows and for his work behind the scenes.

Early Life and Education

Alan Hamel was born in Toronto, Canada. He studied television arts at Ryerson University in 1954.

Television Career

Alan Hamel started his career in the 1960s. He became well-known for hosting several TV shows.

Hosting Children's Shows

From 1961 to 1964, Hamel co-hosted a Canadian children's television series called Razzle Dazzle. This fun show even featured a talking turtle named Howard!

Game Shows and Talk Shows

In the late 1960s, he hosted two popular game shows: Wedding Party (1968) and Anniversary Game (1969). It was on Anniversary Game that he first met actress Suzanne Somers, who he later married.

Later, from 1971 to 1973, Hamel hosted Mantrap, a daytime talk show in Canada. He then hosted The Alan Hamel Show from 1976 to 1980. This was a very popular daytime talk show on CTV in Canada. People magazine even called him "Canada's leading TV talk show host."

Beyond Hosting

After his time as a main host, Hamel also became a producer. He often worked on projects with his wife, Suzanne Somers. He also sometimes acted in her shows. For a few years in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he appeared in commercials for large supermarket chains like Alpha Beta and Acme Markets.

Personal Life

Alan Hamel has two children, a son named Stephen and a daughter named Leslie, from his first marriage.

He married actress and author Suzanne Somers on November 19, 1977. They had known each other for about nine years before getting married. Alan Hamel is also a stepfather to Suzanne Somers' son, Bruce Somers Jr. Suzanne Somers passed away on October 15, 2023.

Alan and Suzanne owned a home in Palm Springs, California, which they sold in 2021. In 2007, their home in Malibu, California, was unfortunately destroyed by a wildfire.

Filmography

Alan Hamel appeared in many television shows and movies throughout his career. Some of his notable appearances include:

  • 1961–64: Razzle Dazzle (Host)
  • 1968: Wedding Party (Host)
  • 1969: Anniversary Game (Host)
  • 1971–72: Mantrap (Host)
  • 1976–80: The Alan Hamel Show (Host)
  • 1977: Lou Grant
  • 1978: All in the Family
kids search engine
Alan Hamel Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.