Chuck Woolery, beloved game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' passes away at 83

Chuck Woolery, the charming and charismatic game show host known for programs like “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection,” and “Scrabble,” has passed away at the age of 83. Woolery's death occurred at his home in Texas, with his wife Kristin by his side. His podcast co-host and friend, Mark Young, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a tremendous man of faith; life will not be the same without him.”With his matinee idol looks and smooth banter, Woolery was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and received a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He began hosting “Love Connection” in 1983, where he famously introduced viewers to singles looking for love by saying, "We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds," often referred to as "2 and 2." The show’s unique format allowed participants to choose potential dates from audition tapes before returning to discuss their experiences with Woolery live in front of an audience.Woolery reminisced about one memorable couple on “Love Connection,” sharing with The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2003: "She had so much eye makeup on, she looked like a stolen Corvette. He was so old he said, ‘I remember wagon trains.’ The poor guy. She took him on a balloon ride.”Throughout his career, he also hosted shows such as “Lingo,” “Greed,” and had a short-lived revival of “The Dating Game.” His television journey began when he hosted the original version of “Wheel of Fortune” starting in January 1975. Although it later became synonymous with Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Woolery welcomed contestants during its inception.Reflecting on his entry into game shows, Woolery shared: "After the show [on The Merv Griffin Show], when Merv asked if I wanted to do a game show, I thought, ‘Great, a guy with a bad jacket and an equally bad mustache who doesn’t care what you have to say — that’s the guy I want to be.’"Despite initial skepticism from NBC regarding “Wheel of Fortune,” it ultimately gained popularity under Woolery's guidance. However, after demanding a salary increase comparable to another host’s pay, he parted ways with the show.Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery served in the U.S. Navy before pursuing music. He first gained recognition as part of the psychedelic rock duo The Avant-Garde which produced hit songs like "Naturally Stoned." Afterward, he transitioned into country music while also writing songs for various artists.Later in life, Woolery ventured into podcasting where he openly discussed his conservative beliefs. He co-hosted "Blunt Force Truth" starting in 2014 and became known for controversial statements regarding politics and social issues.In addition to his wife Kristen, Chuck Woolery is survived by his sons Michael and Sean as well as his daughter Melissa.

Rewritten HTML Content