Richard Dawson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Dawson
Dawson, c. 1960s
Born	Colin Lionel Emm 20 November 1932 Gosport, Hampshire, England
Died	2 June 2012(2012-06-02) (aged 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Occupation	Actor comedian game show host panelist
Years active	1954–2000
Spouse(s)	Diana Dors ​ ​ (m. 1959; div. 1967)​ Gretchen Johnson ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	3, including Mark

Richard Dawson (born Colin Lionel Emm) was a British-born American actor, comedian, and game show host. He was born on November 20, 1932, and passed away on June 2, 2012. Many people remember Dawson for his role as Corporal Peter Newkirk in the TV show Hogan's Heroes. He was also a popular regular on the game show Match Game. Most famously, he was the first and third host of the hit game show Family Feud.

Richard Dawson's Early Life

Richard Dawson was born Colin Lionel Emm in Gosport, England. His father drove a moving truck, and his mother worked in a factory. During World War II, when he was a child, he and his older brother were sent away from home. This was to keep them safe from the bombing of major port cities in England. Because of this, he only attended school regularly for about two years.

At age 14, he left home and joined the British Merchant Navy. While serving, he became a boxer and earned some money from matches on ships. After leaving the Merchant Navy, he started a comedy career. He first used the stage name Dickie Dawson, but later changed it to Richard Dawson, which became his legal name.

Richard Dawson's Career in Entertainment

Starting as a Comedian in the UK

Richard Dawson began his career in England as a stand-up comedian. One of his first TV appearances was in 1954 on the Benny Hill Showcase. This show helped introduce new artists to television. He also appeared on BBC Radio shows, often performing alongside other artists from the Commonwealth countries.

In 1958, he appeared on a BBC TV show with Diana Dors, who would later become his wife. The next year, they appeared together on Juke Box Jury, a show where they judged new music.

Becoming an Actor and Comedian in the US

In September 1961, Dawson moved to Los Angeles and started hosting a late-night talk show. He also made guest appearances on popular TV shows like The Jack Benny Program and The Dick Van Dyke Show. For these early roles, he was sometimes credited as Dick Dawson.

In 1965, Dawson got a small role in the film King Rat. Soon after, he became famous for playing Corporal Peter Newkirk in the TV show Hogan's Heroes. This show ran from 1965 to 1971. He also appeared in films like Munster, Go Home! and The Devil's Brigade.

After Hogan's Heroes ended, Dawson joined the cast of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, a popular comedy show.

Hosting Family Feud and Becoming a TV Star

Dawson (left) with contestants on the first episode of Family Feud

Richard Dawson became very popular as a regular panelist on Match Game, starting in 1973. He was known for being funny and quick-witted. Contestants often chose him to help them win the bonus round.

Because of his popularity, Dawson wanted to host his own show. In 1975, the creator of Match Game developed a new game show called Family Feud. Dawson's agent pushed for him to be the host. Family Feud first aired on July 12, 1976, and quickly became a huge success. By 1977, it was even more popular than Match Game.

In 1978, Dawson left Match Game to focus on Family Feud. That same year, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Game Show Host. His good friend, Bob Barker, who hosted The Price is Right, sometimes filled his spot on Match Game.

One of Dawson's famous habits on Family Feud was kissing the female contestants. This earned him the nickname "The Kissing Bandit." Some TV executives wanted him to stop, but he asked viewers to vote. Most of the 200,000 responses supported his kissing. On the show's 1985 finale, Dawson explained that he kissed contestants for love and luck, just like his mother used to kiss him.

Dawson also guest-hosted The Tonight Show many times in 1979 and 1980. He was even considered as a possible permanent host if Johnny Carson had decided to leave.

Later Years in Television

In 1987, Dawson played a game show host named Damon Killian in the movie The Running Man, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. He received great reviews for his performance, which was a funny take on his own TV personality.

On September 12, 1994, Richard Dawson returned to host Family Feud for its final season. He had promised his young daughter that he would only kiss her mother, so he no longer kissed the female contestants. The show ended on May 26, 1995, and Dawson officially retired from hosting. Family Feud was later brought back with new hosts, but Dawson chose not to be involved.

In 2000, Dawson narrated a show called TV's Funniest Game Shows for the Fox network.

Richard Dawson's Family Life

Richard Dawson had two sons, Mark and Gary, with his first wife, actress Diana Dors. Their marriage ended in 1967, and Dawson was given custody of his sons. He later had four grandchildren.

Dawson met his second wife, Gretchen Johnson, when she was a contestant on Family Feud in 1981. They got married in 1991. They had a daughter named Shannon Nicole Dawson in 1990. When he returned to host Family Feud in 1994, he announced Shannon's birth and showed a picture of her.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Dawson supported various social movements. He participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches for civil rights.

Richard Dawson's Passing

Richard Dawson passed away on June 2, 2012, in Los Angeles. He was 79 years old and died from complications related to esophageal cancer. He is buried in Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Dawson used to smoke a lot of cigarettes, sometimes almost four packs a day. He was seen smoking on some episodes of his shows. However, his daughter Shannon convinced him to stop smoking by 1994, when he was 61.

After his death, the GSN aired a special four-hour marathon of Dawson's best moments from Match Game and Family Feud.

Richard Dawson's Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Images for kids

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  Dawson, c. 1960s

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  Dawson (left) and contestants on the pilot episode of Family Feud

See also

In Spanish: Richard Dawson para niños