Johnny Gilbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Gilbert
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Gilbert in 2008
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John Lewis Gilbert III
July 13, 1928 Newport News, Virginia, U.S.
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| Occupation | Game show host/announcer |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Known for | Announcer of Jeopardy! (1984–present) |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Unit |  Seventh Army Special Services |
John Lewis Gilbert III (born July 13, 1928) is a famous American TV personality. He is best known for his work on game shows. Johnny Gilbert has been the announcer for the popular quiz show Jeopardy! since it returned to TV in 1984. He has worked in television since the 1950s, first as a singer and then as a host and announcer.
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Early Life and First Steps in Entertainment
Johnny Gilbert was born on July 13, 1928, in Newport News, Virginia. He started singing as a boy in his hometown church choir. Even though his parents were not performers, his grandmother had been a church singer.
While in high school, Johnny decided he wanted to be a professional singer. He took lessons from an opera teacher. He sang regularly with a band called Shelly Harmon and His Orchestra, which toured around Virginia.
Learning to Perform on Stage
After high school, Gilbert spent three months in Florida. He worked as an emcee, which is someone who hosts events. This job taught him how to walk on stage, speak to a crowd, and tell jokes.
He then joined a group of young actors called the Dead End Kids. They put on a show that toured the southwestern United States for 16 weeks.
Serving in the Army and Performing Abroad
In the 1950s, Johnny Gilbert joined the United States Army. He was part of the Seventh Army Special Services in Germany. This group provided entertainment for soldiers. He played the main role in a musical comedy called Xanadu: The Marco Polo Musical. The show toured across Western Europe for both soldiers and civilians.
After leaving the Army, Gilbert continued to sing and host in clubs. One day, he got an offer to try out for television. He said yes and got his first TV job as a singer and emcee in New Orleans.
Career in Television
Becoming a Game Show Host
Johnny Gilbert moved to New York City and quickly found work. In 1958, he got his first national TV job. He became the host of a new game show called Music Bingo. The show was on TV for three years, first on NBC and then on ABC. His popularity on the show even led him to record an album and some songs.
He later hosted his own talk and variety show called The Johnny Gilbert Show. This show was live for 90 minutes, five days a week. It featured celebrity guests and a large studio audience.
The Voice of Game Shows: Announcing Career
In 1963, Johnny Gilbert became the announcer for The Price Is Right. He also hosted the show a few times when the main host was away. From 1974 to 1980, he was the announcer for Dinah Shore's daily talk show.
Announcing for Jeopardy!
Johnny Gilbert is most famous for being the announcer for Jeopardy!. When the show returned to TV in 1984, the host, Alex Trebek, suggested that Gilbert be hired. Trebek had met Gilbert and was very impressed with his voice.
Gilbert has been the announcer for Jeopardy! ever since. He is known for starting each show by saying, "This is Jeopardy!" He then introduces the contestants and the host. He also used to announce the prizes for contestants who didn't win. Before the show starts, he warms up the audience and gets them excited.
In 2017, Johnny Gilbert was honored by Guinness World Records. He received an award for having the longest career as a game show announcer for a single show. This was after 32 years with Jeopardy!.
After Alex Trebek, the longtime host, passed away in 2020, Gilbert thought about retiring. However, he decided to continue his role. Since 2020, he has been recording his announcements from a studio built in his home. He also appears during the show's opening titles since December 2023.
Other Announcing Roles
Besides Jeopardy!, Gilbert has also been a guest announcer on its sister show, Wheel of Fortune. He filled in for their regular announcer several times.
He has announced for many other game shows over the years. Some of these include The $25,000 Pyramid, Family Feud, and Supermarket Sweep.
Other Appearances
Johnny Gilbert's voice has been heard in many other places. He announced for TV specials like Circus of the Stars and award shows like the Emmy Awards. He also lent his voice to cartoon shows like The Angry Beavers and Johnny Bravo. He even appeared in a movie called White Men Can't Jump as the Jeopardy! announcer.
Personal Life
Johnny Gilbert married his wife, Sharee, in 1984.
Awards and Honors
On September 29, 2022, Johnny Gilbert was inducted into the first-ever Jeopardy! Hall of Fame. This happened at the first Jeopardy! Honors event.
Images for kids
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Gilbert in 1945
See also
In Spanish: Johnny Gilbert para niños
