20 years ago today, game show host Bert Convy died

[Vahan]

Game show host Bert Convy passed away from a brain tumor 20 years ago today. He was just 57, 8 days shy of his 58th birthday. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April 1990, when he was visiting his mother’s home, and was given a short time to live.

Convy was a talented performer and singer on Broadway, and also acted in several movies and TV shows. But he was perhaps better known as a game show host/panelist.

He appeared on What’s My Line?, To Tell the Truth, Password, and Match Game, among other game shows. He hosted TattleTales (which he won an Emmy for) from 1974-1978, and then again from 1982-1984, an updated version of Password called Super Password (1984-1989), the syndicated version of Win, Lose or Draw (1987-1989), and the short-lived 3rd Degree in 1989. He was also occasionally a substitute host.

Shortly before his death, he was slated to host a new version of Match Game (1973-1982), after shooting several pilots for ABC. Comedian Ross Shafer got the job instead, obviously due to Convy's illness.

http://www.nndb.com/people/533/000022467/bert-convy.jpg

[catlover79]

:rip: Gone much too soon - I also loved his guest spot as Cheryl Ladd's love interest in the fourth season premiere of Charlie's Angels (which was also Shelley Hack's debut on the show). They all went on the Love Boat. :cool:

[howilu]

Bert Convy was a very good host, especially on Tattletales when he kissed a woman in the front row of the audience who gave him the microphone. It's a shame he died young. He would have had a lot of time to show viewers that he was one of the best game show hosts. I also remember him in an episode of The Partridge Family, where he played Richard Lawrence, one of Shirley's love interests.

[ThomasE]

I remember my mother was taking me to school around 7:30 in the morning. The radio was on and the announcement was made by a commentator. I was like "That's the guy from Win, Lose or Draw". I was about thirteen. I was shocked plus I did not know he was 57. I thought he was younger than that.

[let'swatchtv]

hey catlover79, now i know she not her but the woman in the picture looks like a young Vanna White.