Peter Marshall, who hosted the popular game show The Hollywood Squares The actor, who acted, sang and camedian for more than 15 years, died today of kidney failure at his home in Encino. He was 98 years old. His publicist Harlan Boll confirmed the news to Deadline.
Marshall won four Daytime Emmys for hosting the syndicated Hollywood seats from 1966 to 1981. The game of tic-tac-toe involved two contestants agreeing or disagreeing with celebrities who gave answers to Marshall’s questions – which ranged from the silly to the raunchy. The format has been revived a few times over the years, and a new edition, hosted by Nate Burleson with Drew Barrymore in the famous center square, is set to premiere mid-season.
Among the numerous stars who performed Hollywood seats were Walter Matthau, Gloria Swanson, Glenn Ford and Milton Berle, as well as regulars Paul Lynde – who often killed in the role of Center Square –, Rose Marie, Nipsey Russell, Cliff Arquette and Wally Cox.
Marshall hosted other TV game shows, including All-Star Blitz And Yahtzee.
“Listen to the people, have fun and know the game. That’s basically all you need to do to be a good game show host,” Marshall said in a 2019 interview for the Television Academy Foundation. “Know the game thoroughly so you know how to correct it when something goes wrong. And most importantly, have fun with the people.”
He was also host The Peter Marshall Variety Show, Big Bands from Disneyland and the audience participation series fantasy with Leslie Uggams.
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Born Ralph Pierre LaCock on March 30, 1926 in Huntington, WV, Marshall had a long career in showbiz before his Hollywood seats performance. With an unforgettable voice, he worked as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio after being drafted into the Army during World War II, and as an NBC page and theater usher. Marshall teamed up with Tommy Noonan in 1949 for a comedy act that sold out nightclubs and The Ed Sullivan Show twice. They appeared together in films, including The Rookie (1959) and Resonate (1961).
He had supporting roles in several films in the early 1950s and became a contract actor with Twentieth Century Fox, appearing in films such as Ensign Pulver, The Cave And Annie, in which he played radio singer Bert Healy.
Marshall began his television career as a guest on variety shows in the 1950s as part of a comedy team with Tommy Farrell. Later that decade, he appeared in episodes of series including Men of Annapolis And The MillionaireHe also appeared in Manhattan Tower, the first color special broadcast by NBC.
Marshall made his Broadway debut in the short-lived 1961 play How to make a man and returned as the star of the musical from 1965-66 Skyscraper. These shows came after he starred with Chita Rivera in Bye Birdie on stage in London’s West End. His other musical appearances High Button Shoes, Anything Goes, The Music Man and 42nd StreetFrom 1983 to 1987, Marshall played the leading role of George in more than 800 performances of La Cage aux Folles (The Cage of Fools) on Broadway and on the national tour. He also played the role of Lenny Ganz in the national tour of Neil Simon’s Rumors.
Marshall wrote the memoirs Backstage with the original Hollywood Square.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Laurie; his daughters, Suzanne Browning (husband David) and Jaime Dimarco (husband Steve); his son, Pete LaCock (wife Janna); 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Another son, David LaCock, died in 2021 from complications of Covid.
