Who Was Peter Marshall? A Look at the Legendary Game Show Host's Life and Legacy

Fans all over the world were stunned to find out that legendary game show host Peter Marshall had passed away, at the age of 98 on August 15. A beloved figure in the industry, Marshall’s real name was Ralph Pierre LaCock, and he was an accomplished actor, singer, and of course, a game show host.

He is most remembered for his work as the host of The Hollywood Squares, a show that he helmed for around 16 years. In a statement announced by his family, Marshall was revealed to have succumbed to kidney failure and passed away at his home in Los Angeles.

Here, we look into his legendary career as he has been part of some stellar projects during his time, in addition to his career as a game show host.

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Who was Peter Marshall?

Marshall’s journey in the industry began as a singer. He was known to have toured with multiple major bands as a youngster and by the 1950s, initially found success as a comedian. Marshall formed a comedy duo with fellow comedian Tommy Noonan, and the two went on to make multiple major appearances on television and otherwise.

This includes Marshall's appearance on The Sullivan Show, as he eventually became an actor after finding roles in movies such as 1959’s The Rookie and 1961’s Swingin’ Along. Eventually, however, Marshall was introduced to the role that would turn out to be the most iconic of his career.

In 1966, he first appeared as the host of The Hollywood Squares, kicking off a journey that lasted 5,000 episodes and 16 years. Via his tenure, Marshall became a household name. The show itself involved a total of 9 celebrities who would be seated on a tic-tac-toe board. Marshall would ask them a series of questions, and it was his ability to engage hilariously with his guests that made the show such a stellar success.

Via his work on The Hollywood Squares, Marshall played a role in winning 4 Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Game Show. The show also inspired a range of international and US reboots, as a range of regular stars such as Lyne, George Gobel, and Joan Rivers also played a role in making The Hollywood Squares successful.

Regardless, Marshall himself saw his role as straightforward, and claimed the following in a 2010 interview for the Archive of American Television:

“It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done in show business. I walked in, said ‘Hello stars,’ I read questions and laughed. And it paid very well.”

Additionaly, even after the show ended in 1981, Marshall continued as an actor and theater artist, as he acted in La Cage Aux Folles, a Broadway play, and acted in the 1983 movie Annie. Furthermore, Peter Marshall was also a radio artist and was a regular on the Music of Your Life radio network for around 15 years.

Hence, Marshall was not merely a game show host and had a celebrated career across other fields as well. Born in West Virginia back in March 1926, Marshall’s father died when he was only 10. However, he eventually moved to New York with his mother and sister. The latter, Joanne Dru, was also a famous actress, and it was in New York where he found his first break.

Regardless, Peter Marshall was a celebrated artist in multiple fields during his time and deserved to be well-remembered by fans all over the globe.