Tom Kennedy (television presenter)

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Tom Kennedy
Tom Kennedy game show host
Born James Edward Narz[1]
(1927-02-26) February 26, 1927 (age 97)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupation Game show host
Years active 1958–1989
Notable credit(s) Whew! (1979–1980)
Password Plus (1980–1982)
Body Language (1984–1986)
The Price Is Right (1985–1986, nighttime)
Wordplay (1986–1987)
Spouse(s) Betty Gevedon (1948–2011; her death)
Children 4
Relatives Jack Narz (brother)

James Edward Narz (born February 26, 1927), known professionally as Tom Kennedy, is an American television presenter best known for his work in game shows.[1] Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he is the younger brother of host Jack Narz. Kennedy has hosted multiple game shows in his career, including You Don't Say!, Split Second and Name That Tune.

Shows

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Kennedy's biggest hit series were You Don't Say!, which aired on NBC from 1963–1969 and on ABC in 1975); Split Second (1972–1975); Name That Tune (1974–1981); and Password Plus, which he hosted from 1980–1982 following the illness (and later death due to stomach cancer) of original host Allen Ludden.

His other hosting credits include The Big Game (1958), Doctor IQ (1958–1959), It's Your Bet (1971–1972), Break the Bank (1976), 50 Grand Slam (1976), To Say the Least (1977–1978), Whew! (1979–1980), Body Language (1984–1986), a syndicated nighttime version of The Price Is Right (1985–1986) and Wordplay (1986–1987). He also briefly hosted a talk show, The Real Tom Kennedy Show, in the early 1970s, and appeared as a panelist on To Tell the Truth. As an actor, he made guest appearances on such shows as The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Cannon, Cybill, Hardcastle and McCormick and Laugh-In.

Before beginning his game show career, he was announcer on the Betty White sitcom Date with the Angels. His brother, Jack Narz, had been the announcer on White's series "Life With Elizabeth".[citation needed]

Retirement

Kennedy retired in 1989 after several game show pilots produced by his production company failed to sell. In 2003, he appeared on Hollywood Squares during "Game Show Week Part 2".[citation needed]

Awards

In 2005, he and his brother, Jack Narz, were co-recipients of the Game Show Congress' Bill Cullen Award for Lifetime Achievement.

See also

References

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External links

Media offices
Preceded by
N/A
Host of Split Second
1972–1975
Succeeded by
Monty Hall in 1986
Preceded by Host of Name That Tune
1974–1981
Succeeded by
Jim Lange in 1984
Preceded by Host of Password Plus
1980–1982
Succeeded by
Bert Convy on Super Password in 1984
Preceded by
Bobby Van on Showoffs in 1975
Host of Body Language
1984–1986
Succeeded by
N/A
Preceded by Host of The Price Is Right
Syndicated Edition

September 9, 1985 – September 5, 1986
Succeeded by
Doug Davidson in 1994