Peter Marshall, 'Hollywood Squares' host, dies at 98 of kidney failure

Peter Marshall, best known as the original host of the iconic game show “The Hollywood Squares,” has died. He was 98.

Marshall, who began hosting the NBC series in 1966, died Thursday of kidney failure at his Encino, California, home, according to his spokesman, Harlan Boll.

Born Ralph Pierre LaCock, Marshall hosted more than 5,000 episodes of the Emmy Award-winning “Hollywood Squares” from 1966-1980. He also led a syndicated version of the show that aired from 1971-81.

Aside from his hosting duties, Marshall had a multifaceted career that spanned television, film, music and stage.

A contract player at 20th Century Fox, Marshall appeared in several films in the 1950s and 1960s, including “Ensign Pulver,” “The Rookie,” “Swingin’ Along/Double Trouble Rookie,” "The Cavern" and “Annie.”

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Marshall starred opposite Broadway icon Chita Rivera in a West End production of “Bye Bye Birdie” in London, and made his Broadway debut in 1965 in “Skyscraper” with Julie Harris. His other theater credits include “High Button Shoes,” “Anything Goes,” “The Music Man” and “42nd Street.”

Marshall, who was drafted into the Army in 1944, honed his hosting skills as a disc jockey for Armed Forces Radio. Two decades later, Marshall was cast as host of NBC's “Hollywood Squares” after appearing in commercials for Kellogg's cereals.

The show, a star-studded tic-tac-toe match featuring nine celebrity guests and two contestants, featured stars such as Paul Lynde, Joan Rivers, Rich Little, Rose Marie, George Gobel and Wally Cox as regular panelists.

Marshall went on to host other series including “The Peter Marshall Variety Show,” “Big Bands from Disneyland,” “Fantasy" with Leslie Uggams, “All-Star Blitz” and “Yahtzee.”

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Marshall is survived by his wife Laurie, daughters Suzanne Browning and Jaime Dimarco and son Pete LaCock.

A revival of “Hollywood Squares” hosted by Nate Burleson and starring actress and talk-show host Drew Barrymore as the center square is set to premiere on CBS in January.