Who Is the Best Classic Game Show Host? (POLL)
Game shows are like a savory snack in the content world: the format is fun, informative, and never goes on for too long, making them the perfect bite-sized treat when you want to kick back and relax. Shows such as Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, and Jeopardy! are staples in pop culture, and despite being some of the longest-running game shows of all time, they never go out of style. But which host from these premiere game shows is the best ever?
Take a look at our selection of game show hosts below and vote in the poll with your choice! Didn’t see your favorite host? Let us know who your favorite host is in the comment section!
Dick Clark - The $25,000 Pyramid
Dick Clark is a cultural icon who is best known for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, setting in place the tradition of New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York City’s Times Square. But he’s also known for hosting American Bandstand from 1956 to 1989, as well as five incarnations of the Pyramid game show from 1973 to 1988.
Gene Rayburn - Match Game
Gene Rayburn was a radio and television personality best known as the host of various editions of Match Game, with his tenure lasting for over two decades. His freewheeling approach, funny voices, banter, and humorous arguments with the technical crew introduced a new way to host game shows, and as a result, Match Game became the highest-rated show on daytime television during its time.
Monty Hall - Let's Make a Deal
Monty Hall began his career in broadcasting before transitioning to television as a game show host. In 1962 he became known as the host and producer of Let’s Make a Deal, where the format of the show’s probability puzzles became synonyms with his name. It eventually became known as the “Monty Hall problem.” Hall is one of three game show hosts—along with Alex Trebek and Howie Mandel—on both Hollywood’s and Canada’s Walks of Fame.
Peter Marshall - The Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall is the original host of The Hollywood Squares from 1966 to 1981 and has almost fifty television, movie, and Broadway credits. Since he couldn’t find consistent work as an actor, he took the job to host Squares, also to ensure his rival, Dan Rowan, wouldn’t get the part. The show had a long run on daytime network TV and in syndication, making Marshall as familiar to viewers as the celebrities who appeared on the show, which included Rose Marie, Paul Lynde, Jan Murray, and Wally Cox.
Pat Sajak - Wheel of Fortune
Pat Sajak is best known as being the host of Wheel of Fortune since 1981. For his career-defining tenure on Wheel, Sajak has received 19 nominations for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host, winning three times. Sajak also stands elite as the longest-running host of any game show ever.
Bob Barker - The Price Is Right
Bob Barker is a retired game show host for The Price Is Right and served his position from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running game show in American history. Barker also hosted Truth or Consequences from ‘56 to ‘75. Barker previously held Sajak’s record of hosting more episodes of a single television game show than anyone else in TV history, making him a veteran in the hosting field.
Alex Trebek - Jeopardy
The late-great Alex Trebek was a Canadian-American known for hosting Jeopardy! for 37 seasons from its revival in 1984 until he died in 2020. He was the face of the quiz show, and is still greatly missed by many fans. While he is best known for Jeopardy! Trebek also hosted several other game shows, including The Wizard of Odds, Double Dare, To Tell the Truth, and more.
Regis Philbin - Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Regis Philbin, formerly known as “the hardest working man in show business,” has spent more time on TV than most, previously holding the Guinness World Record for the most hours spent on U.S. television. Known for many things: a morning talk show host for both of ABC’s Live! Iterations, as well as a game show host for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the most-watched prime-time series of the 1999–2000 season. The iconic Hollywood figure also died in 2020, one month shy of his 89th birthday.
Richard Dawson - Family Feud
Richard Dawson began his career playing Corporal Peter Newkirk in Hogan’s Heroes and a panelist on Match Game before transitioning into a host for the original and third iteration of Family Feud. Besides being known as the original host of the show, he’s also known as “The Kissing Bandit” for always kissing female contestants for “good luck.” In 2000, Dawson also narrated TV’s Funniest Game Shows on the Fox network.
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