Biography - Bob Barker

Who is Bob Barker?

Bob Barker is a legendary TV host.

Bob Barker – Age, Parents, Siblings

Bob Barker was born Robert William Barker on December 12, 1923. His birthplace is Darrington, Washington, United States. His mother Matilda Valandra (maiden name- Matilda Kent Tarleton) worked as a school teacher while his father Byron John Barker worked as a foreman on the electrical high line. 

While on the job, his father fell from a tower, resulting in a critical injury followed by death in 1930. His mother remarried and Barker’s half-brother Kent Valandra was born. 

Education, Ethnicity

Barker attended Drury University (formerly known as Drury College) after graduating from Central High School in 1941. While he was in College, World War II broke out. He joined the United States Navy as a fighter pilot. After the war ended, Bob Barker returned to college and graduated with a degree in economics summa cum laude.

His ethnicity is unknown.

Bob Barker – Girlfriend, Wife, Children

Bob Barker married the love of his life Dorothy Jo Gideon, also his high school sweetheart. They married on January 12, 1945. Baker was married to his wife for 36 years, until her death due to lung cancer on October 19, 1981. The couple does not have any children.

After the death of his beloved wife, he never remarried. But he was in a relationship with his girlfriend Dian Parkinson, a Price model, from 1989 to 1991.

Bob Barker – Career

Life before fame

While a student at the University, Barker worked at KTTS-FM Radio. He moved to California for opportunities in broadcasting. For the next 6 years, he hosted his own radio show, The Bob Barker Show. A game show producer Ralph Edwards happened to be listening to his radio. Impressed by his voice and style, he was given an opportunity to host Truth or Consequences.

Also read: Bill Bailey - Comedian, TV Presenter

Career breakthrough

Bob Barker's career began to take off in late 1953. He hosted the show Truth or Consequences from December 31, 1956, to 1974. During that time, he was also the host of End of the Rainbow (1957-1958), Chuck Barris’ The Family Game (1967), and Simon Says (1971).

The veterinarian TV show host, Bob Barker was chosen to host CBS’sThe Price Is Right. He hosted the show from September 4, 1972, to 1977. His contract with CBS had expired and he had not hoped to new the contract. But the producers of the show renewed Baker’s contract.

Following the death of the original executive producer, Frank Wayne in 1988, became one of the executive producers of the show. The Price Is Right ran for a total of 35 years, the longest-running game show in North America.

Baker has also made numerous appearances in shows such as Happy Gilmore, Something So Right, Truth or Consequences, The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Late Show with David Letterman, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, among others.

Also read: Johnny Carson - TV presenter of The Tonight Show 

Retirement and thereafter

On October 31, 2006, Baker announced that he would retire from his hosting duty. His final episode was aired on June 6, 2007, and again on June 15, 2007. After his retirement, he made a total of three appearances on the show. 

On April 16, 2009, he returned to promote his new autobiography, Priceless Memories. On December 12, 2013, he made an appearance to celebrate his 90th birthday and a surprise appearance on April 1, 2015, for April Fools' Day to switch places with current host, Drew Carey for the intro.

Bob Barker – Legal, Health Issues 

In 1994, Barker’s ex-girlfriend Dian Parkinson alleged him of sexual harassment, which she later dropped. Also in 1995, model Holly Hallstrom filed a lawsuit against him for wrongful termination and malicious persecution. Hallstrom did not drop the case and a settlement was reached in 2005.

Models Janice Pennington, Kathleen Bradley, and production assistants Sherrill Paris and Sharon Friem were all fired in 2000 in relation to a lawsuit filed by Hallstrom. Paris and Friem sued Barker for sexual harassment and sex discrimination. Both received financial settlements in court.

Deborah Curling filed a lawsuit against CBS, Bob Barker and The Price Is Right producers in October 2007. The allegations were racism (she was African-American), an intolerable work environment. The case was later dismissed.

Also read: John Dickerson - Author, Journalist

Barker has survived several serious health problems including a mild stroke, stroke, carotid endarterectomy, prostate surgery, skin cancer, adverse drug reaction, and an adverse fall on the sidewalk.

Bob Barker – Net Worth, Salary

The net worth and annual salary of Barker are estimated to be around $70 million and $10 million respectively.

Bob Barker – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

On social media sites Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, Bob Barker is absent.

Also read: Les Dennis - TV presenter, Actor, Comedian