Peter Marshall, ‘Hollywood Squares’ Host, Dies at 98

Peter Marshall, Emmy-award winning game show host of “Hollywood Squares,” died of kidney failure Thursday in Encino. He was 98.

His wife Laurie said in a statement that he died at home.

Emmy-nominated 19 times, with five wins, he hosted more than 5,000 episodes of the original version of game show “The Hollywood Squares” and appeared in dozens of movies, stage musicals and TV shows.

Marshall was born Ralph Pierre LaCock in Huntington, W.V. He started his career as an NBC Radio page and usher at Paramount Theater. He served in the Army, working as a d.j. for Armed Forces Radio.

Marshall developed a comedy act with Tommy Noonan, touring the country and appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” As a contract player at 20th Century Fox, he appeared in films including “Ensign Pulver,” “The Rookie” and “Annie.”

He was hired to host NBC’s long-running “The Hollywood Squares” starting in 1966, featuring regulars like Paul Lynde, Joan Rivers, Rose Marie and hundreds of guest stars. The giant tic-tac-toe format gave a variety of stars a chance to roll out suggestive patter and joke answers known as “zingers.”

Marshall went on to host “The Peter Marshall Variety Show,” “Big Bands From Disneyland,” the audience participation series “Fantasy” with Leslie Uggams and game shows “All-Star Blitz” and “Yahtzee.”

His TV guest appearances included “The Love Boat,” “Hotel,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Love American Style,” “Lou Grant” and more.

The versatile actor, emcee and singer also produced and toured in big band shows and released several albums. He hosted a show on the Music of Your Life radio network as well as hosting musical specials for PBS. His memoir “Backstage With the Original Hollywood Square.”

A lifelong animal lover, Marshall recently participated in a 50th anniversary for Betty White’s Pet Set, hosted the Doris Day 90th Celebration and narrated “Wait for Your Laugh,” a documentary about his friend and colleage Rose Marie.

He is survived by his wife Laurie, of 35 years, daughters Suzanne Browning (David) and Jaime Dimarco (Steve), son Pete LaCock (Janna) and predeceased by son David LaCock, as well as 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Donations can be made to either Actors & Others for Animals , the Lange Foundation or the Mercy Kids Therapy and Development Center .