Ralph Edwards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ralph Edwards
Edwards in 1948
Born	Ralph Livingstone Edwards (1913-06-13)June 13, 1913 Merino, Colorado, U.S.
Died	November 16, 2005(2005-11-16) (aged 92) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Radio host television host radio producer television producer
Spouse(s)	Barbara Jean Sheldon ​ ​ (m. 1939; her death 1993)​
Children	3

Ralph Edwards and his family in 1952

Ralph Livingstone Edwards (June 13, 1913 – November 16, 2005) was a famous American radio and television host. He was also a successful producer of radio and TV shows. Edwards is best known for creating and hosting two popular shows: the game show Truth or Consequences and the reality series This Is Your Life. He helped shape how game shows and reality TV looked for many years.

Ralph Edwards' Early Days

Ralph Edwards started working in radio when he was still in high school. He worked at KROW Radio in Oakland, California. After finishing high school in 1931, he went to the University of California, Berkeley. He worked many different jobs to pay for college, from cleaning to producing shows. In 1935, he earned a degree in English.

After college, he wanted to be a high school teacher but couldn't find a job. So, he continued working in radio. He even hitchhiked across the country to New York City. He said he often ate cheap meals and slept on park benches during this time.

In 1938, Edwards got a big break at CBS, a major radio network. He worked with other young announcers who would also become very famous. An announcer is someone who introduces shows and reads commercials on radio or TV. Ralph Edwards quickly became a well-known announcer across the country. He introduced famous shows like Original Amateur Hour and Town Hall Tonight. He was known for his friendly, chuckling voice, which made it sound like he was always about to tell a funny story. This special voice helped him get jobs, even narrating movie trailers for comedy stars like Laurel and Hardy.

Edwards also hosted a children's talent show on NBC radio called The Horn and Hardart Children's Hour. He even appeared in a few movies, including Radio Stars On Parade and I'll Cry Tomorrow.

The Game Show Truth or Consequences

Edwards with Buff Cobb during a 1949 stunt for Truth or Consequences.

In 1941, commercial television broadcasts began in the United States. Ralph Edwards hosted a special episode of his game show, Truth or Consequences, to celebrate this new era. This made his show one of the very first commercial TV programs ever!

The show started in New York but later moved to Los Angeles. Truth or Consequences was a unique game show. Contestants had to answer a question correctly. If they couldn't, they had to perform a funny "consequence" or stunt. These stunts were often silly or surprising, which made the show very entertaining for viewers. The show was so popular that it even appeared in a Superman comic book story in 1948!

This Is Your Life

An advertisement for This Is Your Life from 1955.

In 1948, Ralph Edwards created another hit show called This Is Your Life. It started on NBC Radio and then moved to NBC-TV in 1952, running until 1961.

Each week, Edwards would surprise someone, usually a famous person, but sometimes an ordinary citizen. He would then review their entire life story in front of the TV audience. The most exciting part was that people from the subject's past, like old friends, family, or teachers, would appear as surprise guests. Viewers loved the show because they never knew who the subject would be until the show began.

Edwards was a great showman. He used his experience from Truth or Consequences to make This Is Your Life very emotional. He would often share stories of heroic acts or sad events, which sometimes made the audience (and even the person being honored) cry. Many famous celebrities were featured on the show, including Marilyn Monroe, Bob Hope, Johnny Cash, and Bette Davis.

Other Shows and Productions

Ralph Edwards was not just a host; he was also a very successful producer. He produced many other game shows, such as Name That Tune and The Cross-Wits.

In 1981, he teamed up with Stu Billett to create The People's Court. This show was groundbreaking because it was the first of its kind to show real-life small claims court cases on television. It paved the way for many other court shows we see today. They also produced another show called Bzzz! in 1996.

Helping Other Hosts

Ralph Edwards also helped launch the career of another very famous game show host: Bob Barker. In 1956, Edwards hired Barker to host a new version of Truth or Consequences. Edwards told Barker to "be no one else but himself," which was great advice.

Bob Barker hosted Truth or Consequences for many years, first on NBC and then in daily shows until 1975. He also became the host of The Price Is Right in 1972, which he hosted for an amazing 35 years! Thanks to Ralph Edwards' guidance, Bob Barker became a beloved figure to millions of TV viewers, just like Edwards himself.

Later Life and Recognition

Ralph Edwards passed away on November 16, 2005, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 92. Before he died, he released some of his This Is Your Life programs on DVD.

Edwards received many honors for his work in radio and television.

• The Game Show Congress gives out the Ralph Edwards Service Award each year. This award honors people in the game show world who have worked hard for good causes.
• Ralph Edwards has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for his work in radio, and the other is for his work in television.
• In 1995, he was added to the National Radio Hall of Fame, which recognizes the greatest people in radio history.

Film Appearances