He served as Executive Producer of "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" (2000).After his retirement from daytime chat, Merv became a real estate baron, acquiring the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, which is now the venue of choice for virtually all of the Tinseltown's most high profile events such as The Golden Globe Awards, The Soap Opera Digest Awards, and The American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 1991, he was sued by TV host Deney Terrio alleging sexual harassment. ", Questions invariably come with the standard Donahue prefixes: "I don't want to be maudlin about this" or "It's hard to make this point without sounding a little patronizing." Marlo agreed, revealing she had planned never to get married, and like her character in "That Girl," she was focused on her career and not a husband. He once said, "If they found Hitler, I'd be the first in line to interview him. In 1977, Thomas was a guest on the daytime TV television show called Donahue. Stations rarely cancel his show and few refuse to air individual programs. This weekend venue, fashioned after Hollywood's famed Coconut Grove (where Griffin headlined as a boy singer with The Freddy Martin Orchestra) features live Big Bands, Swing Orchestras, and Rock Bands amidst a glamorous nightclub setting.He was honored with the prestigious 1994 Broadcasting and Cable "Hall of Fame" Award, alongside such figures as Diane Sawyer and Dan Rather. . He was 82. But it was in 1962 that his career took its most dramatic turn. Another successful and significant work in his career was the game show Wheel of Fortune. She fired a couple of answers to me: '5,280' and the question of course was how many feet in a mile. He feels akin to a large corporation. He often received criticism for booking such guests. The couple had one son. Rumors about Griffin's sexuality followed him for much of his life. Winner of 15 Emmy Awards, Griffin was presented an Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show Emmy for 1993-1994 as executive producer of Jeopardy! Marlo was 40 when she married the talk show host, and it was her first marriage. He was commended for booking such guests, but also widely criticized for it. Merv Griffin, the creator of Jeopardy! Menu. Fingers point. Rumors about Griffin being gay aren't new, and they weren't helped by two lawsuits (a palimony claim, and a sexual harassment charge) by two dudes in the 90s. (1984) He had also been the recipient of the coveted Scopus Award from the American Friends of Hebrew University, "The Duke Award" presented by the John Wayne Cancer Institute, and he had been honored by the American Ireland Fund and the SHARE organization. Im thinking perhaps the Times editors really took it to heart when many of us criticized them after Susan Sontags death and the obituary cover-up of her sexual orientation and her relationship with Annie Liebovitz. [citation needed], He attended San Mateo High School, graduating in 1942, and continued to aid in financing the school. [51] He was buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, where his epitaph reads "I will not be right back after this message". was merv griffin married to marlo thomas. "We had a woman whose baby was taken back by the adoption agency. After three years of marriage, they got married on May 21, 1980. (He revealed the epitaph on The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder. "I'm not sure I could put Henry Kissinger on my show," Donahue says. It was during this period that he conceived the idea for what was to become one of the most successful game shows in television history, Jeopardy! (for which he still creates puzzles and questions.) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! We should point to his life for GLBT youth and say, Dont let this happen to you. In 1974, Griffin was inducted to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Those who dont cant really be faulted, as rarely do honesty and full disclosure prove a boon to ones showbiz livelihood. What a powerful message Griffin might have sent had he squired his male companions around town rather than Eva Gabor, his longtime good friend and platonic public pal. Merv understood himself as a celebrity (or, at least, as a hanger-on) and would casually mention that he had played tennis with Errol Flynn, or had sublet. Imagine the amount of good Merv could have done as a well-respected, hugely successful, beloved and uncloseted gay man in embodying a positive image. Discussion rapidly evolves into a group event, with Donahue roaming along the aisles, cajoling, flirting, taunting and enticing. [20] When they had their first child, Cynthia Leigh Buzzell, on September 11, 1955, Griffin was named her godfather. His funeral was held at the Church of Good Shepherd in Beverley Hills which was attended by several celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Klugman and Catherine Oxenberg. By 1986, Griffin was ready to retire. He too appears vulnerable, capable of tears, joy or simply being left speechless when an 80-year-old woman says a man has "taken her to the stars.". Merv Griffin was previously married to Julann Griffin (1959 - 1976). Griffin became the host of The Merv Griffin Show, which was his own talk show. The guests on the Westinghouse show were an eclectic mix of entertainers, authors, politicians, and "personality" performers like Zsa Zsa Gabor. He kept his wealth an open secret, amassing media outlets, hotels and casinos with a net worth estimated at more than $1 billion. A pediatrician whom he accused of being too vain retorted, "When a child urinates on your tie at least once a week, it's hard to be too vain. He married his college sweetheart in 1958, right after graduation. He rose as far as possible in Dayton -- anchoring the television news and hosting a radio call-in show. They moan, gasp and applaud, and surround him with a chorus of questions and arguments. He bought his contract back from Warner Bros. and decided to devote his attention to a new medium: television. He attended San Mateo Junior College and then the University of San Francisco. He did it for Katharine Hepburn. He had dedicated two of his shows to the topics of Transcendental Meditation and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Born In: San Mateo, California, United States, place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States, Founder/Co-Founder: Merv Griffin Enterprises, Merv Griffin Entertainment, education: University of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco, San Mateo Junior College, See the events in life of Merv Griffin in Chronological Order, (Host of 'The Merv Griffin Show' and Creator of the Games Shows 'Jeopardy!' "Suddenly my phone was ringing," Donahue says. He is the only son of Merv Griffin and Julann Wright. This continued after her two terms as First Lady. [2] He began his career as a radio and big band singer, later appearing in film and on Broadway. And not everybody who's a good television persona necessarily knows what they're talking about.". [9], Freddy Martin heard him on the radio show and asked him to tour with his orchestra,[1] which he did for four years. Other Griffin successes in the game show field included "One in a Million" and Joe Garagiola's Memory Game (1971), both airing on ABC, Let's Play Post Office on NBC, and Reach for the Stars (1967).In 1986, Griffin sold his production company, Merv Griffin Enterprises, to Coca-Cola's Columbia Pictures Television unit for $250 million as well as a continuing share of the profits of the shows. The couple divorced in 1976. In 1965, Griffin launched a syndicated talk show for Group W (Westinghouse Broadcasting) titled The Merv Griffin Show. He had short grey hair and brown eyes, his height was 5ft 9ins (1.75m) and he weighed around 175lbs (80kgs). On the other hand, Phil had been married before and welcomed five children, making his new wife a stepmother. Although Marlo did not have kids of her own, she helped raise Phil's five children from a previous marriage. His best years, he fears, may already be behind him: "The most creative, innovative ideas come from people with the least power and the least to lose." So powerful is his appeal that the "Today" show signed him as a regular contributor last May. The actress was so private but called the host's telecast when her father, Danny Thomas, noted a hilarious observation. In 1969, CBS hired Griffin to directly compete with Carson in the 11:30 PM to 1:00 AM time slot that had proven a grave yard for other personalities. and Wheel of Fortune, and a wealthy media mogul. As a result, this literally wiped out or greatly reduced the investments of the bondholders, so that Mr. Griffin could sue Trump and yet still retain a significant portion for himself. Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. August 12, 2007) was an American television host, singer, and media mogul behind Merv Griffin Enterprises. So she had to figure out how to be nice and good and realized early on that she shouldn't try to fill a mother-like role because they might resent that. in 1964. On the other hand, Phil had been married before and welcomed five children, making his new wife a stepmother. If the station manager objects to a particular program, Donahue argues, but he will supply a back-up. She is best known for starring on the sitcom That Girl (1966-1971) and her children's franchise Free to Be. In 1965, Griffin was criticized as a "traitor" when he aired a special from London in which Nobel Prize-winning philosopher Bertrand Russell denounced the Vietnam War.Despite his success on daytime television, it was late night that was The Holy Grail for talk show hosts. Says Donahue, "Well, what does that mean? and 'Wheel of Fortune'), https://www.naukrinama.com/stressbuster/richest-male-actors-in-the-world/merv-griffin/, http://mervgriffinabc.blogspot.com/2009/05/game-show-creator-griffin-created-and.html, http://gameshows.wikia.com/wiki/Merv_Griffin, http://jeopardyhistory.wikia.com/wiki/Merv_Griffin. Another was '79 Wistful Vista.' As he recalls the past, Donahue stands again and begins to pace. The deal was signed in secret as a penalty clause in his CBS contract gave him $1 million in the event of his being fired. In 1974, under intense pressure to "put some glitter in the show," he moved to Chicago, hoping to attract better guests and big-city flair. But in a New York office recently, Donahue looked much more subdued that he does goes on television, his eyes more pale and penetrating. He next appeared in the movie So This is Love in a main role. Nonetheless, the elephant that was his sexual orientation never really stopped following Griffin from room to room. When he eventually decided to retire, he sold his production company Merv Griffin Enterprises to Columbia Pictures Television, after which he was named by Forbes as one of the richest Hollywood performers in history. [35] He had used $325 million in junk bond financing at nearly 14% from Drexel Burnham Lambert's Michael Milken, but suspended interest payments in early 1989. While Carson's style was indebted to his long apprenticeship in Los Angeles in the 1950s, Griffin was based in New York, where he socialized with New York's theater and caf crowds. As his family was Roman Catholic, he started signing in the church from an early age. When philosopher and anti-war activist Bertrand Russell used the show to condemn the war in Vietnam, Griffin was criticized for letting Russell have his say. The star said one example was her parents, as the actress's mother gave up her singing career to settle herself to marry the star of the "Danny Thomas Show." I had more than a passing acquaintance with him, having worked on The Merv Griffin Show as a talent coordinator/segment producer in 1985-86 as the show was winding down. There is a story in Queer in America about a man identified as The Mogul who did just that. Griffin dedicated two shows, in 1975 and 1977, to Transcendental Meditation and its founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. he asks a dying child. It was these games which inspired him to create the game show Wheel of Fortune in 1975. Phil Donahue was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and it was his childhood goal to be a "good broadcaster." Merv Griffin was married to Julann Griffin from 1959 to 1976. They had one child, Tony Griffin, born in 1959. It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and numerous Emmy Awards, out of which it won eleven. Similarly, he says he "showcases," rather than presents, issues and people. At the same time, however, in success he sees the seeds of destruction. Before they married, Marlo had no interest in the institution, but her husband managed to twist her arm. The audience is small and compact, practically sitting in the guest's lap. His second show featured single men discussing what they liked in women. The star became more caring and interested in the boys the more she lived with them, and eventually, "more mothering.". And now hes doing it to Griffin withMerv Griffin: a Life in the Closet. Mansfield had remembered Griffin from his singing in the Grace Moore picture So This Is Love, and for his hit song "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts." That's what I'm paid to do.". Some of his talk show remained a big hit and gained considerable rating all over the world. Griffin's three-year run at CBS was contentious; the network was uncomfortable with the guests he wanted, who often spoke out against the Vietnam War and on other sensitive topics. ", Joel Swerdlow; Joel Swerdlow is the coauthor of "Remote Control: Television. There was Peter Lawford, Robert Walker, Gordon Scott the then-Tarzan. That fall he became a radio reporter in Adrian, Mich. She is most remembered for Lisa Douglas on Green Acres. "Donahue" is unlike any other talk show. Merv Griffin accomplished a lot and is, in his death, being held up as a example of a stellar Hollywood businessman. Merv Griffin was married to Julann Griffin from 1959 to 1976. He also used to earn money as an organist. "You're on the cover of 'Publisher's Weekly'," editor-in-chief Michael Korda told talk-show king Phil Donahue. "I like having a man in my life. November 25, 1926 - February 24, 2023. The resulting blurred image meant that Hoffman's voice emanated from a "jumble of lines". [4] When he was a child, Griffin used to play Hangman games with his sister during family road trips. Yet, it was nothing discussed in the media and, apparently, in many of his own circles, particularly straight political circles. His 12-year-old granddaughter Farah gave a reading. Neither Cronkite nor CBS responded, a silence echoed by everyone else to whom the ambitious Donahue mailed resumes. In the 1980s, Griffin purchased the Paradise Island Resort and Casino in the Bahamas for $400million from Trump, but later sold it for just $125million. Marlo Thomas Was Scared of Being Stepmom to Phil Donahue's 5 Kids They Are Proud of Gaggle of Grandkids Now, Why Is Robin Always on Dr. Phil's Show? Profits from his highly successful game shows made him one of the world's wealthiest entertainers. Perhaps he figured it was preferable to remain the object of gossip rather than live openly as "one of. Not one to shy away from controversy, Griffin began to be harassed by CBS censors who objected to the antiwar statements of his guests and ordered him to feature pro-war guests for balance. He grins or grimaces extravagantly. He broke into broadcasting in 1957 as a summer TV announcer. It received good ratings and featured several guests such as Ted Sorensen, Woody Allen, George Carlin, Norman Mailer, and Bertrand Russell. In a December 1977 article, the actress recalled how Phil was a modern man and a single parent when they met. And yet, because he was closeted it is highly unlikely he ever made the connection for the Reagans (between himself and those who were suffering and dying), pointed out the government negligence, or even talked openly as a gay person. The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show starring Merv Griffin.The series ran on NBC from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963, in first-run syndication from May 10, 1965 to July 4, 1969, at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972, and again in first-run syndication from February 14, 1972 to September 5, 1986. Merv died aged 82, so would've been 96 today. He used to tackle bold subjects and also invited controversial guests such as George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Bertrand Russell. Wheel barely escaped cancellation in 1980, when NBC replaced three of its other game shows with a daytime talk show starring David Letterman. Griffin scored a coup when Tonight Show host Jack Paar accidentally emerged onto the set of Play Your Hunch during a live broadcast, and Griffin got him to stay for a spontaneous interview. This man was intimate with the Reagans (and Nancy Reagan in particular) during the height of the AIDS epidemic in 80s, with few treatments available and fear-mongering having gripped the media. He married his college sweetheart in 1958, right after graduation. "There is no show without the audience," Donahue says. He retained the title of creator of both his game shows. While it would seem everything has changed today, little actually has. During a May 2020 "Sunday Morning" interview, Marlo explained that the interview she had with Phil all those years back wasn't really one. The Modern Family star was previously married to her high school love Joe Gonzalez . He earned a whole heap of publicity b hosting and producing several different television shows. This show was initially aired on NBC. Shortly after the show begins he may be warning that time is almost gone. General Info. AT SIMON & SCHUSTER, they were excited. Subsequently, Sony Pictures Entertainment purchased Columbia and he retains the title of executive producer of both "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" Later that year, CBS terminated Griffin's late-night talk show and Griffin immediately made the transition to Metromedia's syndicated network.While Griffin may have been a washout in late night television (and he had LOTS of company - EVERYONE who went up against Carson lost the ratings race, and Johnny always came out the victor), Griffin's impact on daytime was immense, specifically through his production of game shows. "We're talking about a medium that evaluates people according to the force with which they can communicate ideas," Donahue explains. "In 1965, I'm called a traitor by the press for presenting Bertrand Russell, and, four years later, we are hard-pressed to find anybody to speak in favor of the Vietnam War".In March 1970, CBS censors pixilated antiwar activist Abbie Hoffman because he was wearing a shirt that resembled an American flag. He married Juliann Wright in 1958, and they divorced in 1973. Two revivals of Jeopardy! His Los Angeles Times obituary repeated a 1991 statement he had made regarding Plott's lawsuit: "This is a shameless attempt to extort money from me. He started his professional life by joining the radio as well as by singing in collaboration with a big band. It taped in Los Angeles after initial reports that it would be produced at WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Among his private passions are his family, son Tony Griffin, daughter-in-law Tricia, and grandchildren Farah and Donovan Mervyn, his long-haired sharpei dog Charlie Chan, his La Quinta ranch near Carmel, where he raises thoroughbred racing horses, and his 135 foot, four-story high ocean going yacht, Griff. It became the first US Album to be recorded on a magnetic tape. Griffin's approach to television talk was influenced by two New York shows, David Susskind's The David Susskind Show (1958) and Mike Wallace's Probe and Night Beat (1956), and like Susskind and Wallace, he openly embraced controversial subjects. He next hosted the game show Keep Talking and also temporarily The Price is Right and To Tell the Truth. You and the ayatollah are the only two people that would work for.". LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Merv Griffin was gay. Movies. One of Merv Griffins most important works was his talk show The Merv Griffin Show. However, Griffin stated that both the lawsuits were extortions. This show was aired on for almost 21 years and achieved 11 Emmy awards all through its course. The second show aired as a standalone special in some regions such as Canada. "Not everybody who writes a book is necessarily a good television persona. With resignation in his voice, Donahue will concede that his show is "a platform for pitchmen," one endless commercial. [7], During World War II, Griffin was declared 4F after failing several military physical examinations due to a slight heart murmur. Age, Height, and Weight. He was a famous but unsuccesssful single until 1977, when actress Marlo Thomas made her second appearance on his program. Of course, Porter has one thing working for him: almost no threat of litigation. As a regular performer on The Arthur Murray Party (1950), The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (1957) and others, he was offered the opportunity to host his own television series, Play Your Hunch (1958). The "Sunday Morning" interviewer wanted to know where Marlo got the idea. Six years later they had five children, two born in the same year. First off, Griffins closet kept him shockingly silent while he had access to the president of the United States as his own people were dying.