Merv Griffin

Merv Griffin - Tv Host, Life Achievements and Family

Violet FieldHome › AmericanMerv GriffinJuly 6, 1925658 views

0 based on 0 rates
Merv Griffin Biography Stories 

Merv Griffin's Personal Details

Merv Griffin was a popular American TV host, singer, and a media mogul

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 6, 1925
Died onAugust 12, 2007
NationalityAmerican
FamousMedia Personalities, TV Anchors, Tv Host
City/StateCalifornia
SpousesJulann Wright
Known asMervyn Edward Griffin, Jr.
ChildrensTony Griffin
Universities
  • San Mateo High School
  • University of San Francisco
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Merv Griffin Enterprises
  • Merv Griffin Entertainment
Cause of death
  • Cancer
Birth PlaceSan Mateo
ReligionCatholicism
Height175
GenderMale
FatherMervyn Edward Griffin, Sr.
MotherRita Elizabeth Griffin
Sun SignCancer
Born inSan Mateo
Famous asTV Host
Died at Age82

// Famous Tv Host

Sara Jean Underwood

Sara Jean Underwood

Sara Jean Underwood is a popular American model, actress and TV host. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about her life.

Ty Pennington

Ty Pennington

Ty Pennington is an American television host, artist, author, former model, and actor. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements, and fun facts about him.

Maine Mendoza

Maine Mendoza

Maine Mendoza is a Filipino actress and TV host. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Merv Griffin's photo

Who is Merv Griffin?

Merv Griffin was a popular American TV host, singer, and media mogul, known for creating internationally reputed game shows such as ‘The Wheel of Fortune’. Born in San Mateo, California, he studied at the University of San Francisco. He began a singing career on radio at the age of 19. He had a role as a radio announcer in the horror film ‘The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms’. Over the years, his popularity increased as he performed in nightclubs. His first hit song was ‘I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts’. It sold over 3 million copies. His first important acting role was in the film ‘So This is Love’, which was directed by Gordon Douglas. He appeared in a few more films, before diverting his attention to TV instead. His career as a game show host began with the show ‘Play Your Hunch’. It was ranked by TV Guide as one of the best TV shows of all time. He later launched his own show ‘The Merv Griffin Show’. It aired for several years and earned numerous Emmy Awards and nominations. After a long and successful career, he eventually passed away in 2007 due to prostate cancer. He had been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1974 and into the Television Hall of Fame posthumously.

// Famous TV Anchors

Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin was a famous Australian naturalist best known for his wildlife show ‘The Crocodile Hunter’. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on

Harris Faulkner

Harris Faulkner

Harris Faulkner is a new anchor and television presenter for Fox News Channel. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her life.

Chabeli Iglesias

Chabeli Iglesias

Chábeli Iglesias is a Spanish socialite and a TV host. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her life.

Childhood & Early Life

Merv Griffin was born on 6th July 1925 in San Francisco, California, to Mervyn Edward Griffin and Rita Elizabeth Griffin. His father was a stockbroker while his mother was a homemaker. As his family was Roman Catholic, he started signing in the church from an early age. He also used to earn money as an organist.

He attended San Mateo High School from where he graduated in 1942. Then he continued his higher education at the University of San Francisco. During the World War II, he was found to have a slight heart murmur because of which he failed several military examinations.

Career

Merv Griffin began his career as a singer on the radio at the age of 19. His performance on the radio was heard by American musician Freddy Martin, who asked him to tour with his orchestras, which he did for a few years.

By 1945, he had enough money to form his own label, Panda Records. Soon after, he released his first album ‘Songs of Merv Griffin’. It became the first US Album to be recorded on a magnetic tape. Over the years, he also became very popular by performing in nightclubs. His first song ‘I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts’ was a huge success, selling over 3 million copies.

His first work on the big screen was an unaccredited role in the 1953 horror sci-fi movie ‘The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms’. He next appeared in the movie ‘So This is Love’ in a main role. He continued to appear in films like ‘The Boy from Oklahoma’ and ‘Phantom of the Rue Morgue’. However, he soon became disillusioned with movies and bought his contract back from Warner Bros, after which he decided to focus on television.

From 1958 to 1962, Griffin hosted a game show called ‘Play Your Hunch’ which was produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. He next hosted the game show ‘Keep Talking’ and also temporarily ‘The Price is Right’ and ‘To Tell the Truth’. In addition, he served as a producer for several game shows such as ‘Reach for the Stars’ and ‘One in a Million’.

He eventually started his own show ‘The Merv Griffin Show’ in 1962 which proved to be a huge success. It eventually went on to win eleven Emmy Awards. He used to tackle bold subjects and also invited controversial guests such as George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Bertrand Russell. He often received criticism for booking such guests.

He started the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ in 1964. The show was a huge success and earned immense popularity. Over the years, it made a record of winning 33 Emmy Awards.

He created another game show ‘Wheel of Fortune’ which aired from 1975. The show enjoyed tremendous popularity and was adapted into several international versions which aired in 60 countries.

When he eventually decided to retire, he sold his production company ‘Merv Griffin Enterprises’ to Columbia Pictures Television, after which he was named by Forbes as one of the richest Hollywood performers in history.

Aside from his game shows, he also ventured into real estate and purchased the Beverley Hilton Hotel and later the Resorts International.

Major Works

One of Merv Griffin’s most important works was his talk show ‘The Merv Griffin Show’. It received good ratings and featured several guests such as Ted Sorensen, Woody Allen, George Carlin, Norman Mailer, and Bertrand Russell. It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and numerous Emmy Awards, out of which it won eleven. He had dedicated two of his shows to the topics of Transcendental Meditation and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Another successful and significant work in his career was the game show ‘Wheel of Fortune’. The show was a humongous success and became the longest running game show with over 6000 episodes. It stood at the 2nd position on TV Guide’s list of the 60 greatest game shows ever. It won several awards and nominations and has been adapted into numerous international versions.

Personal Life

Merv Griffin was married to Julann Griffin from 1959 to 1976. The couple had one son. Even though they divorced, they continued being good friends.

In 1991, he was sued by TV host Deney Terrio alleging sexual harassment. Brent Plott, who had been his employee, also accused him of harassment. However, Griffin stated that both the lawsuits were extortions. Both lawsuits were eventually dismissed.

Merv Griffin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996 which was treated successfully. However, it returned years later and led to his death on 12th August 2007. His funeral was held at the Church of Good Shepherd in Beverley Hills which was attended by several celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Klugman and Catherine Oxenberg.

// Famous Media Personalities

Wanda Nara

Wanda Nara

Wanda Nara is an Argentine model, reality personality, and football agent, more famous as the wife of Argentine football player Mauro Icardi.

Melinda Farrell

Melinda Farrell

Melinda Farrell is an internationally renowned sports anchor and freelance sports reporter. This biography profiles her childhood, life, career, achievements, and some facts.

Art Bell

Art Bell

Art Bell was an American broadcaster and author, known as ‘The King of Late Night Radio.’ Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Merv Griffin biography timelines

  • // 6th Jul 1925
    Merv Griffin was born on 6th July 1925 in San Francisco, California, to Mervyn Edward Griffin and Rita Elizabeth Griffin. His father was a stockbroker while his mother was a homemaker. As his family was Roman Catholic, he started signing in the church from an early age. He also used to earn money as an organist.
  • // 1945
    By 1945, he had enough money to form his own label, Panda Records. Soon after, he released his first album ‘Songs of Merv Griffin’. It became the first US Album to be recorded on a magnetic tape. Over the years, he also became very popular by performing in nightclubs. His first song ‘I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts’ was a huge success, selling over 3 million copies.
  • // 1958
    From 1958 to 1962, Griffin hosted a game show called ‘Play Your Hunch’ which was produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. He next hosted the game show ‘Keep Talking’ and also temporarily ‘The Price is Right’ and ‘To Tell the Truth’. In addition, he served as a producer for several game shows such as ‘Reach for the Stars’ and ‘One in a Million’.
  • // 1959
    Merv Griffin was married to Julann Griffin from 1959 to 1976. The couple had one son. Even though they divorced, they continued being good friends.
  • // 1964
    He started the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ in 1964. The show was a huge success and earned immense popularity. Over the years, it made a record of winning 33 Emmy Awards.
  • // 1991
    In 1991, he was sued by TV host Deney Terrio alleging sexual harassment. Brent Plott, who had been his employee, also accused him of harassment. However, Griffin stated that both the lawsuits were extortions. Both lawsuits were eventually dismissed.
  • // 1996 To 2007
    Merv Griffin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996 which was treated successfully. However, it returned years later and led to his death on 12th August 2007. His funeral was held at the Church of Good Shepherd in Beverley Hills which was attended by several celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Klugman and Catherine Oxenberg.

// Famous California peoples

Christine Baumgartner

Christine Baumgartner

Christine Baumgartner is an American model and the wife of famous American actor Kevin Costner. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Shane Blanchard

Shane Blanchard

Shane Blanchard is an American TV actor. Let’s take a look at his family and personal life including age, birthday, net worth, family life and some fun facts.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell is an American singer and songwriter. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family, personal life, birthday, etc.

Kaylee Quinn

Kaylee Quinn

Kaylee Quinn is an American dancer, model, and actress. Let’s have a look at her family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, relationships, and fun facts.

Edmund Kemper

Edmund Kemper

Edmund Kemper is a convicted serial killer from America who murdered ten people. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, crimes and other facts about him.

Aidan Prince

Aidan Prince

Aidan Prince is an American dancer, actor and vlogger. Let’s have a look at his family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, and fun facts.

Merv Griffin's FAQ

  • What is Merv Griffin birthday?

    Merv Griffin was born at 1925-07-06

  • When was Merv Griffin died?

    Merv Griffin was died at 2007-08-12

  • Where was Merv Griffin died?

    Merv Griffin was died in Los Angeles

  • Which age was Merv Griffin died?

    Merv Griffin was died at age 82

  • Where is Merv Griffin's birth place?

    Merv Griffin was born in San Mateo

  • What is Merv Griffin nationalities?

    Merv Griffin's nationalities is American

  • Who is Merv Griffin spouses?

    Merv Griffin's spouses is Julann Wright

  • Who is Merv Griffin childrens?

    Merv Griffin's childrens is Tony Griffin

  • What was Merv Griffin universities?

    Merv Griffin studied at San Mateo High School, University of San Francisco

  • Which company or organization was founded by Merv Griffin?

    Merv Griffin was the founder/co-founder of Merv Griffin Enterprises, Merv Griffin Entertainment

  • What is Merv Griffin's cause of dead?

    Merv Griffin dead because of Cancer

  • What is Merv Griffin's religion?

    Merv Griffin's religion is Catholicism

  • How tall is Merv Griffin?

    Merv Griffin's height is 175

  • Who is Merv Griffin's father?

    Merv Griffin's father is Mervyn Edward Griffin, Sr.

  • Who is Merv Griffin's mother?

    Merv Griffin's mother is Rita Elizabeth Griffin

  • What is Merv Griffin's sun sign?

    Merv Griffin is Cancer

  • How famous is Merv Griffin?

    Merv Griffin is famouse as TV Host