Allen Ludden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Allen Ludden
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Ludden in 1961
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| Born |
Allen Packard Ellsworth
October 5, 1917 Mineral Point, Wisconsin, U.S.
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| Died | June 9, 1981 (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Graceland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Texas |
| Occupation | Game show host, television personality, actor, singer |
| Years active | 1949–1981 |
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| Children | 3 |
Allen Ludden (born Allen Packard Ellsworth; October 5, 1917 – June 9, 1981) was a famous American TV host, actor, and singer. He was best known for hosting the popular game show Password for many years, from 1961 to 1980.
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Early Life
Allen Ludden was born on October 5, 1917, in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. His parents were Elmer and Leila M. Ellsworth. His father, Elmer, passed away in January 1919 from a serious flu outbreak.
When Allen was about five years old, his mother married Homer J. Ludden, an electrical engineer. Allen took his stepfather's last name and became Allen Ellsworth Ludden. His family moved around Wisconsin and then to Texas when he was nine.
Education and Career
Allen Ludden studied English and drama at the University of Texas. He graduated with honors in 1940 and earned his Master of Arts degree in 1941. During World War II, he served in the United States Army. He was in charge of entertainment for soldiers in the Pacific and left the army as a captain in 1946.
In the late 1940s, Ludden started his career giving advice to teenagers. He wrote columns for teen magazines and hosted a radio show called Mind Your Manners. This radio show even won an award in 1950.
Game Show Host
Ludden hosted many game shows, but he was most famous for Password. He hosted both the daytime and nighttime versions of the show from 1961 to 1975. His famous opening line on TV was "Hi doll," which he said to his wife Betty White's mother.
In 1979, Ludden began hosting a new version of the game called Password Plus. However, he had to leave the show in late 1980 because he was getting treatment for stomach cancer. Other shows he hosted included Liar's Club and Stumpers!
Author and Singer
Allen Ludden also wrote books. He published four advice books for young readers and a novel called Roger Thomas, Actor (1959). In 1964, he released a music album titled Allen Ludden Sings His Favorite Songs.
Family Life
Allen Ludden married Margaret McGloin on October 11, 1943. They had three children: a son named David and two daughters, Martha and Sarah. Margaret passed away from cancer in 1961.
Ludden later met actress and TV personality Betty White on the game show Password. He asked her to marry him several times before she said yes! Their love grew when they acted together in plays in 1962 and 1963. They got married on June 6, 1963. They stayed together until Allen Ludden's death.
Allen and Betty also appeared together on TV shows. They were on an episode of The Odd Couple and also on The Love Boat.
Later Years and Death
In early 1980, Allen Ludden was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He took time off from Password Plus for treatment. On October 7, 1980, he became very ill while on vacation. He hoped to return to his show, but his health got worse.
Allen Ludden passed away in Los Angeles on June 9, 1981, at the age of 63. He was buried next to his father in Graceland Cemetery in his hometown of Mineral Point, Wisconsin.
Legacy
Allen Ludden is remembered in several ways. A walkway at the Los Angeles Zoo was named after him, as his wife Betty White was very involved with the zoo. A lake in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, was also named Ludden Lake in his honor.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame right next to Betty White's star. Betty White accepted his star for him in 1987. When asked if she would remarry after Allen's death, Betty White famously said, "Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?" She never remarried.
Archive
The Free Public Library in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, has a collection of Allen Ludden's items. These include letters, radio scripts, newspaper clippings, and photographs. His wife, Betty White, donated this collection.
See also
In Spanish: Allen Ludden para niños
