Peter Marshall
Born	Ralph Pierre LaCock March 30, 1926 (1926-03-30) (age 83)[1] Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, singer, TV host, radio personality
Years active	1950–2008
Spouse(s)	Laurie Stewart

Peter Marshall (born March 30, 1926) is an American television and radio personality, singer and actor.

He was the original host and "The Master" of The Hollywood Squares, from 1966 to 1981. He has almost fifty television, movie, and Broadway credits. His stage name, Peter Marshall, reportedly derived from the college in his home town (Marshall College, which became Marshall University in 1961).

Contents 1 Biography 2 Early career 3 The Hollywood Squares 4 After The Hollywood Squares 4.1 Television 4.2 Feature films 5 Theatrical career 5.1 Broadway 5.2 West End 6 Recent activities 7 Personal life 8 Awards 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Biography

Peter Marshall was born as Ralph Pierre LaCock in 1926^[2] in Huntington, West Virginia to a show business family. Following his father's death, he moved to New York City to be with his mother, a costume designer. His elder sister, Joanne Dru, was an actress who is best remembered for her roles in the films Red River, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and All the King's Men.

[edit] Early career

In the 1950s, Marshall earned his living as part of a comedy act with Tommy Noonan, and they appeared in night clubs, on television variety shows and in films including Starlift (1951), The Rookie (1959) and Swingin' Along (1962). He appeared in the 1958 episode "The Big Hoax" of the syndicated television series Harbor Command.

[edit] The Hollywood Squares

Although Marshall occasionally worked in film and television, he could not find regular work in the industry until his friend Morey Amsterdam recommended him to fill in for Bert Parks as the host of the game show The Hollywood Squares in 1966.^[3]

The show had a long run on daytime network TV and in syndication, making Marshall as familiar to viewers as the celebrities who appeared on the show. The easy-going and unflappable Marshall was a perfect foil for the wicked wit of such panelists as Amsterdam and his Dick Van Dyke Show castmate Rose Marie, Paul Lynde, Jan Murray, and Wally Cox. The Hollywood Squares was canceled by the NBC network in 1980, but production continued in syndication into 1981.

Marshall grew tired of hosting the show after several years and wanted to leave. Toward that end, he would make outrageous salary demands whenever his contract was up for renewal, hoping that he would be fired for doing so, but his demands were always met.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] After The Hollywood Squares

[edit] Television

After the completion of the initial run of The Hollywood Squares in 1981,^[3] Marshall continued working in game shows and playing character roles. He appeared on the game shows Fantasy (1982)^[4] with cohost Leslie Uggams, All Star Blitz (1985),^[5] Yahtzee (1988),^[6] and Reel to Reel (1998).^[7] In 1989, Peter hosted the unaired pilot for 3rd Degree!;^[8] a Burt & Bert Production in association with Kline & Friends, and was originally slated to host the series, but co-producer Bert Convy hosted instead.

[edit] Feature films

One of his memorable post-Squares roles was a cameo in the 1982 film version of the musical Annie, playing fictional radio personality "Bert Healy".^[9]

As of Feb. 2009, his last feature film acting credit was the 1993 film Sista Dansen (The Last Dance).^[10]

[edit] Theatrical career

[edit] Broadway

Marshall's Broadway credits include Skyscraper,^[11] La Cage aux Folles^[12] and The Music Man.

[edit] West End

In London's 1962 West End production, Marshall appeared in the stage musical Bye Bye Birdie,^[13] a satire on American popular culture in the 1950s inspired by singer Elvis Presley receiving a draft notice into the army. Marshall played the lead character of Albert Peterson, who writes a song for the pop singing sensation Conrad Birdie (played by Marty Wilde). The production ran for 268 performances.

[edit] Recent activities

As of 2000, Marshall had returned to his roots, this time appearing on the tour circuit as a singer with big bands.

In 2002, he published a book about his show business experience, Backstage With The Original Hollywood Square.^[14]

Also in 2002, Marshall returned to the new version of The Hollywood Squares^[15] as a panelist during a Game Show Week hosted by Tom Bergeron. Marshall occupied the prestigious center square. For one day that week, Marshall took his old position at the podium to host while Bergeron played the game.

In addition to having played a radio host in Annie, Marshall has been radio personality in real life, hosting a popular mid-day show on the Music of Your Life adult standards national radio network, which is also live-streamed via the internet at http://musicofyourlife.com . Selections run from Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, and other big-band standards, often with Marshall's commentary and insights in between songs.

On March 28, 2008, Marshall made an appearance on the show GSN Live. In 2009, Marshall appeared on television promoting compact disc hits from the big band era.

[edit] Personal life

He is currently married to his third wife, Laurie Stewart, and has four children and two stepchildren from his previous marriages.

His son, Pete LaCock, is a former Major League Baseball player. The retired first baseman spent nine years playing for the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs before finishing up his career in Japan.

[edit] Awards

In 2006, Marshall, who had already won an Emmy as Outstanding Game Show Host,^[16] also received the annual Bill Cullen Award for Lifetime Achievement, from the non-profit organization, Game Show Congress.

Preceded by Bert Parks in CBS Pilot	Host of The Hollywood Squares 1966 – 1981	Succeeded by Jon Bauman in the Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour
Preceded by Tom Bergeron	Host of The Hollywood Squares December 12, 2002	Succeeded by Tom Bergeron
Preceded by First Winner	Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host 1974 – 1975	Succeeded by Allen Ludden
Preceded by Dick Clark	Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host 1980 – 1981	Succeeded by Bob Barker

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Peter Marshall at the Internet Movie Database
• Peter Marshall at Internet Broadway Database
• Peter Marshall official web site
• Peter Marshall's page on the Music of Your Life website