Peter Marshall, Host of The Hollywood Squares, Dies
The Master of the Squares was 98 years old.
One of the most iconic game show hosts, known for his helming of the classic 70s game show The Hollywood Squares, Peter Marshall, has passed away at the age of 98.
Born Ralph Pierre LaCock, Marshall started his career in entertainment as half of a comedy act with comedy performer Tommy Noonan. Marshall appeared in a variety of films and theater productions in the 50s through the 70s. At the urging of Morey Amsterdam, Marshall applied to fill in for Bert Parks as the host of a pilot of a new game show called The Hollywood Squares. Expecting a short gig, Marshall hosted the show for over 5,000 episodes.
Despite only hosting one major game show in any large capacity, Marshall’s impact on the cultural zeitgeist was immeasurable. He would appear on other game shows as a guest, and would appear in skits about Hollywood Squares, including famously on In Living Color, as the host of the East Hollywood Squares.
When Hollywood Squares was revived in the 2000s with Tom Bergeron, Marshall was invited back during a special game show week as center square, where he shows that he never missed a beat:
According to his family, Marshall died of kidney failure, at his Encino home.