Bob Barker

Bob Barker was married to Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 to 1981. He converted to vegetarianism and would end every episode of ‘The Price Is Right’ with an animal rights message.

He founded the ‘DJ&T Foundation’, in 1994; it has funded many animal neutering and rescue programs, and has supported the United Activists for Animal Rights.

Barker donated $1 million to Columbia University School of Law towards the study of animal rights, and another $2.5 million to PETA for establishing a new office in Los Angeles.

Bob Barker was born to Matilda Valandra, a school teacher, and Byron John Barker, an electrical lineman. At six, Bob lost his father when he fell from a tower, after which his mother remarried.

He has a half –brother, Kent Valandra from his mother’s second marriage. The family moved to Springfield, Missouri. In 1941, he passed out of Central High School.

He enrolled in Springfield's Drury College on a basketball scholarship. During WW II, he was a fighter pilot with the U.S Navy. After the war, he obtained an Economics degree, with honors, from Drury.

As a college student, he was employed at KTTS-FM Radio. In 1950, he shifted to California, where he hosted his own radio show, ‘The Bob Barker Show’ for six years.

While hosting a radio-show on KNX (AM) in L.A, he caught the attention of radio show producer, Ralph Edwards, who liked the voice and the way he interacted with his audience.

He hosted, ‘End of the Rainbow’, on NBC from 1957 to 1958. Along with co-host Art Baker, he would visit places and bring pleasant surprises to people who were desperate for help.

In 1967, he hosted on ABC, another short-lived show, ‘The Family Game’, which involved asking children-contestants questions on their families; their parents had to guess the answers.

In the pilot series for NBC’s ‘Simon Says’, in 1971, he had to interact with a huge computer called Simon. The series was produced by DUNDAS Production’s Wesley J. Cox.

Between 1956 and 1974, Barker hosted the TV show, ‘Truth or Consequences’, which mixed quizzing with fun and crazy acts. His trademark salute at the end of the show became part of television lore.

Between 1972 and 2007, he hosted ‘The Price Is Right’ on CBS. This game show is the longest running game show ever in North America, and the sixth among the longest and continuing daytime television programs.