Chuck Woolery, the slick, smiling original host of “Wheel of Fortune” and the risqué “Love Connection,” has died at 83.
Woolery’s death was announced by his “Blunt Forth Truth” podcast co-host Mark Young on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother Chuck Woolery has just passed away,” he wrote late Saturday. “Life will not be the same without him,RIP brother.”
No cause of death was offered.
Woolery, born March 16, 1941, in Ashland, Kentucky, was a singer prior to his hosting career, enjoying a solo career as well as some success with a duo called the Avant-Garde, which scored a Top 40 hit with “Naturally Stoned” in 1968.
He later recorded in the country genre, and wrote a song recorded by Tammy Wynette.
After a minor acting career, and playing Mr. Dingle on “New Zoo Revue” in 1972, he and his then wife, actress Jo Ann Pflug, appeared on the celebrity-driven game show “Tattletales” in 1974. His telegenic style led to a long run as the original host of “Wheel of Fortune” (1975-1981), which ended over a contract dispute. He was replaced by Pat Sajak, who remained in the position for over 40 years.
Among many other hosting gigs, Woolery was perhaps best known for his edgy work on “Love Connection” (1983-1994), in which he egged on contestants to spill the beans about dates they’d gone on after meeting via short, sometimes kooky videos on the show.
He was later the longtime host of “Lingo” (2002-2007), and this year was hosting “80’s Quiz Show with Chuck Woolery” on Fox Nation.
Later in his career, Woolery became an outspoken right-wing political figure and host of a radio show called “Save Us Chuck Woolery” (2012-2014), as well as “Blunt Force Truth” (2014-2024), espousing gun rights, Evangelical Christianity, and COVID skepticism.
Woolery was married and divorced four times, including to Teri Nelson, the daughter of “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” star David Nelson.
Chuck WooleryDead at 83 …Legendary Game Show Host
He is survived by four of his five children; his son Chad, with first wife Margaret, died in a motorcycle wreck in 1986.
Legendary game show host Chuck Woolery — best known for being the first host of “Wheel of Fortune” — has passed away … TMZ has confirmed.
Chuck’s longtime friend and podcast cohost Mark Young tells TMZ … he was at Chuck’s home in Texas when Chuck said he wasn’t feeling well and went to lie down.
It is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother @chuckwoolery has just passed away. Life will not be the same without him,RIP brother pic.twitter.com/OVPgG195RX— Dr. Mark Young (@MarkYoungTruth) November 24, 2024 @MarkYoungTruth
He came back to the room a short time later and said he was having trouble breathing. 911 was called, but Woolery did not make it.
Game show enthusiasts will be very familiar with Chuck’s work … with Woolery’s big break coming in 1975 when he became the first host of “Wheel of Fortune.”
He hosted the show until 1981 when he left due to a salary dispute and Pat Sajak took over the job. He went on to host “Love Connection,” “Scrabble” and a revival of “The Dating Game.”
Woolery made appearances as himself on a few different TV shows over the years … including the movie “Cold Feet” and the sitcoms “227” and “Scrubs.” He also had a small music career, playing mostly country.
We last caught up with Chuck back in 2016 … and, we asked him a ton of questions about the game show world.
Chuck is survived by his wife Kim and his children, Katherine, Melissa, Michael and Sean. He was 83.