Hollywood Legend Merv Griffin Dead At 82

Singer, Actor, Talk Show Host, "Jeopardy" & "Wheel Of Fortune" Creator, Hotel Tycoon

(CBS/AP)  When Paar retired in 1962, Griffin was considered a prime candidate to replace him. Johnny Carson was chosen instead. NBC gave Griffin a daytime version of "Tonight," but he was canceled for being "too sophisticated" for the housewife audience.

In 1965, Westinghouse Broadcasting introduced "The Merv Griffin Show" in syndicated TV. At last Griffin had found the forum for his talents. He never underestimated the intelligence of his audience, as he offered such figures as philosopher Bertrand Russell, Pablo Casals and Will and Ariel Durant as well as movie stars and entertainers.

With Carson ruling the late-night roost on NBC in the late 1960s, the two other networks challenged him with competing shows, Griffin on CBS, Joey Bishop (later Dick Cavett) on ABC. Nothing stopped Carson, and Griffin returned to Westinghouse.

Meanwhile, Griffin sought new enterprises for his production company. A lifelong crossword puzzle fan, he devised a game show "Word for Word," in 1963. It faded after one season, then his wife, Julann, suggested another show.

"Julann's idea was a twist on the usual question-answer format of the quiz shows of the Fifties," he wrote in his autobiography "Merv." "Her idea was to give the contestants the answer, and they had to come up with the appropriate question."

"Jeopardy," begun in 1964, became a huge moneymaker for Griffin, as did a more conventional game show, "Wheel of Fortune," which started in 1975.

In 1986 Griffin retired from his talk show to turn his attention to the game shows he created and to acquiring pricey real estate, like the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and spending time with old pals, including his great friend, Nancy Reagan, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker. But Griffin never lost his sense of showmanship and humor. He's often said he'd like his tombstone to say, "I will not be back after this message."

Mervyn Edward Griffin Jr. was born in San Mateo, Calif., south of San Francisco on July 6, 1925, the son of a stockbroker. His aunt, Claudia Robinson, taught him to play piano at age 4, and soon the boy was staging shows on the back porch of the family home.

"Every Saturday I had a show, recruiting all the kids in the block as either stagehands, actors and audience, or sometimes all three," he wrote in his 1980 autobiography. "I was the producer, always the producer."

After studying at San Mateo Junior College and the University of San Francisco, Griffin quit school to apply for a job as pianist at radio station KFRC in San Francisco. The station needed a vocalist instead. He auditioned and was hired.

Griffin was billed as "the young romantic voice of radio." He attracted the interest of RKO studio boss William Dozier, who was visiting San Francisco with his wife, Joan Fontaine.

"As soon as I walked in their hotel room, I could see their faces fall," the singer recalled. He weighed 235 pounds. Shortly afterward, singer Joan Edwards told him: "Your voice is terrific, but the blubber has got to go." Griffin slimmed down, and he would spend the rest of his life adding and taking off weight.

Griffin and Julann Elizabeth Wright were married in 1958, and a son, Anthony, was born the following year. The couple divorced in 1973 because of "irreconcilable differences."

"It was a pivotal time in my career, one of uncertainty and constant doubt," he wrote in the autobiography. "So much attention was being focused on me that my marriage felt the strain." He never remarried.

[beck701]

One of the greediest people in Hollywood. Always wanted to have more and more. I bet everything he donated to charity he deducted on his taxes.

[jdubs63]

nano1935... I think it was Skitch Henderson? Not sure

[nano1935]

Have a question!

Who was the funny trumpet player in Merv Griffin's band? Nearly each day or so, he would stand up and he and Merv would banter back and forth. It was always so great.

Any ideas as to his name and what might have happened to him?

Merv Griffin was great. Such a sharp man. Each interview of his was so very interesting. I'll miss him.

[thgdriver]

A lot of folks get Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas mixed--strange---the same thing happens with Jody Foster and Helen Hunt.

Merv is a true American success story. Move over Johnny, another great talk show host is on his way up.

[nsane4fab4]

I remember when the "Merv Griffin Show" came on at 4:00 CST, right after school. My sister and I watched every day. Thanks for everything, Merv!

[arealtexan]

This evening, after work, when I sit down in my recliner and turn on my TiVo to watch the day's episode of Jeopardy! I will take a special moment to remember the man who gave me countless hours of entertainment and challenging questions.

R.I.P. Merv.

[ralan40]

a sad day, I'll never forget his role as the Elevator Murderer in Steve Martin's "The man with 2 brains" (and it looks like he got away with it, haha). He was ahead of his time and has entertained us with many innovations we were not even aware that he did. Observe a moment of silence, but quietly hum the "Jeopardy theme".

[trenticus-2009]

A star among the stars... R.I.P. Merv!

[keithle1]

Long live Merv in our memories.

[hermit22]

in a clip today on the news, merv griffin said: "on my tomestone it will say,
"and i won't be right back after this message."

[rmmm201]

He'll be missed by millions

[scarletphd]

But who could forget the little act he and Charo had whenever she came on his show!! Hilarious!

[scarletphd]

One song that Merv recorded, which to me is one of the best recordings ever made, is the song,
"The Men in My Little Girl's Life".
Posted by edamos54

That song was recorded by the other talk show host of that era, Mike Douglas.

[ttenchantr]

Ah, Merv, nobody did it better! (Certainly not Mike Douglas.) Anytime I flick around the dial in the afternoon, I miss your show.

[formrusmcsgt]

I wonder how Merv reacted to the Seinfeld episode when Kramer collected Merv's old set from a dumpster and installed it in his apartment. Definitely one of my favorite episodes.

[gmond]

As kids we went with our mothers to some Bway matinee, and my mother and her friend made a fuss out of seeing Merv there. If looks could kill I would be an orphan today.

[formrusmcsgt]

I will always cherish my high school public speaking class, as the desk assigned to me had Merv Griffin carved in it,where he was assigned some years before. He never forgot the community or his high school. RIP Merv
Posted by JDUBS63 at 04:52 PM : Aug 12, 2007

I knew a lady who grew up with Merv.

She told me he got in big trouble as a teenager for calling up and ordering tons of gravel, rock, sand, you name it, to be delivered on his neighbor's driveways.....

[f-102a]

Merv was a super entertainer. Always engaging, he was just a real likeable personality

[edamos54]

One song that Merv recorded, which to me is one of the best recordings ever made, is the song,
"The Men in My Little Girl's Life". I have three
daughters and that record was always a blessing
for me. Thank you, Merv. Rest in Peace.

[erasmus6]

elgraz

What thgdriver is doing is recalling a song Merv used to sing on his show.

Is that all right with you?