Art Linkletter
Encyclopedia
Arthur Gordon "Art" Linkletter (July 17, 1912 - May 26, 2010) was a Canadian-born
American
radio
and television personality. He was the host of House Party
, which ran on CBS
radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny
, on NBC
radio-TV for 19 years. Linkletter was famous for interviewing children on House Party and Kids Say the Darndest Things
, which led to a series of books quoting children. A native of Canada, he became a naturalized United States citizen in 1942.
. In his autobiography, Confessions of a Happy Man (1960), he revealed that he had no contact with his natural parents or his sister or two brothers since he was abandoned when only a few weeks old. He was adopted by Mary (née Metzler) and Fulton John Linkletter, an evangelical preacher. When he was five, his family moved to San Diego, California
, where he graduated from San Diego High School
at age 16. During the early years of the Great Depression, he rode trains around the country doing odd jobs and meeting a wide variety of people. In 1934, he earned a bachelor's degree from San Diego State Teachers College (now San Diego State University
) (SDSU), where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega
fraternity. While attending San Diego State, he played for the basketball team
and was a member of the swimming team. He had previously planned to attend Springfield College
but did not for financial reasons.
He earned a degree in teaching but took a job as a radio announcer at KGB in San Diego. Radio paid better than teaching, and Linkletter directed radio programs for fairs and expositions in the mid-1930s. In 1943, Linkletter pleaded guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship; he was fined $500 and permitted to apply for citizenship. In the 1940s, Linkletter worked in Hollywood with John Guedel
on their pioneering radio show, People Are Funny
, which employed audience participation, contests and gags. The series served as a prototype for future radio and television game shows. People Are Funny became a television show in 1954 and ran until 1961.
Other early television shows Linkletter worked on included Life With Linkletter with his son Jack (1969–1970) and Hollywood Talent Scouts (1965–1966). He acted in two movies, People Are Funny
(1946) and Champagne for Caesar
(1950). He was, along with Ronald Reagan
and Bob Cummings one of the hosts of ABC's coverage of the opening of Disneyland in 1955. He appeared three times as a guest host of The Tonight Show
(1962).
In the 1950s, Linkletter became a major investor in and promoter of the hula hoop
.
and distributed by King Features Syndicate
. In 1963, Linkletter became the endorser and spokesman for Milton Bradley
's The Game of Life
. His picture appeared on the game's $100,000 bills and also on the box alongside the statement "I heartily endorse this game".
in Woodland Hills.
Linkletter invested wisely, enabling his considerable philanthropy.
In 2005, at the age of 93, he opened the Happiest Homecoming on Earth
celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Disneyland
. Half a century earlier, he was the commentator on the opening day celebrations in 1955. For this, he was named a Disney Legend.
Linkletter was once a spokesman for National Home Life, an insurance company. A Republican
, he became a political organizer and a spokesman for the United Seniors Association, now known as USA Next
, an alternative to the AARP
. He was also a member of Pepperdine University
's Board of Regents
. He received a lifetime achievement Daytime Emmy award in 2003. He was inducted into the National Speakers Association
Speaker Hall of Fame. He was a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
(which ended in November 2008).
He received honorary degrees from a number of universities, including Pepperdine University
and the University of Prince Edward Island
. He served for many years as a trustee at Springfield College
and donated money to build the swim center named in his honor.
Linkletter had one of the longest marriages of any celebrity in America, at nearly 75 years. He married Lois Foerster on November 25, 1935, and they had five children: Arthur Jack (known as Jack Linkletter
, a TV host), Dawn, Robert, Sharon and Diane. He was also a good friend of Walt Disney
. On Halloween 2011, Art's wife Lois died peacefully aged 96.
Linkletter's obituary read: "In a couple of months Art Linkletter would have been 98 years old, a full life of fun and goodness, an orphan who made it to the top... What a guy." He was survived by his wife, Lois, whom he married in 1935, and daughters Dawn Griffin and Sharon Linkletter, as well as seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Art and Lois Linkletter outlived three of their five children. 20-year-old Diane Linkletter
died on October 4, 1969, by jumping out of her sixth-floor kitchen window (while a student at UCLA). Linkletter claimed that she committed suicide because she was on, or having a flashback from, an LSD
trip
. Linkletter spoke out against drugs to prevent children from straying into a drug habit. His record, We Love You, Call Collect, recorded before her death, featured a discussion about permissiveness in modern society, along with a rebuttal by Diane, titled Dear Mom and Dad. The record won a 1970 Grammy Award for the "Best Spoken Word Recording".
Robert Linkletter died in an automobile accident on September 12, 1980. Son Arthur Jack Linkletter
(1937–2007) died from lymphoma
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio
Radio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
and television personality. He was the host of House Party
Art Linkletter's House Party
House Party is an American radio daytime variety/talk show that aired on CBS Radio and on ABC Radio from January 15, 1945 to October 13, 1967...
, which ran on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny
People Are Funny
People are Funny is an American radio and television game show, created by John Guedel that remained popular throughout the 1940s. The program ran from 1942 to 1960. The program's stunts and audience participation were calculated to reveal the humorous side of human nature...
, on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
radio-TV for 19 years. Linkletter was famous for interviewing children on House Party and Kids Say the Darndest Things
Kids Say the Darndest Things
Kids Say the Darndest Things is an American comedy series hosted by Bill Cosby that aired on CBS as a special on February 6, 1995 then as a full season from January 9, 1998 to June 23, 2000...
, which led to a series of books quoting children. A native of Canada, he became a naturalized United States citizen in 1942.
Early life and career
Linkletter was born Gordon Arthur Kelly in Moose Jaw, SaskatchewanMoose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Moose Jaw is a city in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada on the Moose Jaw River. It is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway, west of Regina. Residents of Moose Jaw are known as Moose Javians. It is best known as a retirement and tourist city that serves as a hub to the hundreds of small towns...
. In his autobiography, Confessions of a Happy Man (1960), he revealed that he had no contact with his natural parents or his sister or two brothers since he was abandoned when only a few weeks old. He was adopted by Mary (née Metzler) and Fulton John Linkletter, an evangelical preacher. When he was five, his family moved to San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he graduated from San Diego High School
San Diego High School
San Diego High School is an urban public educational complex comprising six small schools located on the southern edge of Balboa Park, in San Diego, California. It is part of the San Diego Unified School District. It is the oldest high school in the San Diego Unified School District and one of the...
at age 16. During the early years of the Great Depression, he rode trains around the country doing odd jobs and meeting a wide variety of people. In 1934, he earned a bachelor's degree from San Diego State Teachers College (now San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
) (SDSU), where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
fraternity. While attending San Diego State, he played for the basketball team
San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball
The San Diego State Aztecs basketball team is the basketball team that represent San Diego State University Aztecs in San Diego, California. The school's team currently competes in the Mountain West Conference, and play their home games in Viejas Arena...
and was a member of the swimming team. He had previously planned to attend Springfield College
Springfield College
Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
but did not for financial reasons.
He earned a degree in teaching but took a job as a radio announcer at KGB in San Diego. Radio paid better than teaching, and Linkletter directed radio programs for fairs and expositions in the mid-1930s. In 1943, Linkletter pleaded guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship; he was fined $500 and permitted to apply for citizenship. In the 1940s, Linkletter worked in Hollywood with John Guedel
John Guedel
John Guedel, was a radio and television producer who co-created and produced Art Linkletter's and Groucho Marx's most important and successful broadcast properties, including You Bet Your Life and People Are Funny...
on their pioneering radio show, People Are Funny
People Are Funny
People are Funny is an American radio and television game show, created by John Guedel that remained popular throughout the 1940s. The program ran from 1942 to 1960. The program's stunts and audience participation were calculated to reveal the humorous side of human nature...
, which employed audience participation, contests and gags. The series served as a prototype for future radio and television game shows. People Are Funny became a television show in 1954 and ran until 1961.
Other early television shows Linkletter worked on included Life With Linkletter with his son Jack (1969–1970) and Hollywood Talent Scouts (1965–1966). He acted in two movies, People Are Funny
People Are Funny (film)
People Are Funny is a 1946 American musical comedy film directed by Sam White based on the popular radio show of the same name.- Plot summary :...
(1946) and Champagne for Caesar
Champagne for Caesar
Champagne for Caesar is a 1950 American comedy film about a radio quiz show, directed by Richard Whorf and written by Fred Brady and Hans Jacoby. The movie stars Ronald Colman, Celeste Holm, Vincent Price, Barbara Britton and Art Linkletter. The film was produced by Harry M...
(1950). He was, along with Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and Bob Cummings one of the hosts of ABC's coverage of the opening of Disneyland in 1955. He appeared three times as a guest host of The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
(1962).
In the 1950s, Linkletter became a major investor in and promoter of the hula hoop
Hula hoop
A hula hoop is a toy hoop that is twirled around the waist, limbs or neck.Although the exact origins of hula hoops are unknown, children and adults around the world have played with hoops, twirling, rolling and throwing them throughout history...
.
Art Linkletter's Kids
Art Linkletter's Kids was a 1963-64 gag cartoon panel drawn by the prolific cartoonist Stan FineStan Fine
Stan Fine , a prolific American gag cartoonist who contributed to major magazines, signed his work with his full name but sometimes reversed his last name to submit cartoons under the signature Enif....
and distributed by King Features Syndicate
King Features Syndicate
King Features Syndicate, a print syndication company owned by The Hearst Corporation, distributes about 150 comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games to nearly 5000 newspapers worldwide...
. In 1963, Linkletter became the endorser and spokesman for Milton Bradley
Milton Bradley
Milton Bradley , an American game pioneer, was credited by many with launching the board game industry in North America with Milton Bradley Company....
's The Game of Life
The Game of Life
The Game of Life, also known simply as LIFE, is a board game originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley, as The Checkered Game of Life . The Game of Life was America's first popular parlor game...
. His picture appeared on the game's $100,000 bills and also on the box alongside the statement "I heartily endorse this game".
Later years
After three public meetings in 1967, an eight-member Los Angeles City Council committee "cleared" Linkletter and City Council Member Tom Shepard of charges that they were linked in a scheme to influence city purchase of the "financially-troubled" Valley Music TheaterValley Music Theater
The Valley Music Theater was a theater-in-the-round performing arts hall located at 20600 Ventura Blvd. just south of the Ventura Freeway in Woodland Hills, California...
in Woodland Hills.
Linkletter invested wisely, enabling his considerable philanthropy.
In 2005, at the age of 93, he opened the Happiest Homecoming on Earth
Happiest Homecoming on Earth
The Happiest Homecoming on Earth was the eighteen-month-long celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Disneyland theme park, which officially opened on July 17, 1955...
celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Anaheim)
Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still almost universally referred to by that name, it is the only theme park to be...
. Half a century earlier, he was the commentator on the opening day celebrations in 1955. For this, he was named a Disney Legend.
Linkletter was once a spokesman for National Home Life, an insurance company. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, he became a political organizer and a spokesman for the United Seniors Association, now known as USA Next
USA Next
USA Next , formerly known as the United Seniors Association, is a United States lobbyist group whose slogan is "Building a Legacy of Freedom for America's Families". It presents itself as a conservative senior citizens|old people' organization. The group is a 501 organization...
, an alternative to the AARP
AARP
AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is the United States-based non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from California, and based in Washington, D.C. According to its mission statement, it is "a...
. He was also a member of Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
's Board of Regents
Board of Regents
In the United States, a board often governs public institutions of higher education, which include both state universities and community colleges. In each US state, such boards may govern either the state university system, individual colleges and universities, or both. In general they operate as...
. He received a lifetime achievement Daytime Emmy award in 2003. He was inducted into the National Speakers Association
National Speakers Association
The National Speakers Association is a professional speakers' organization that supports the pursuit of Public Speaking as a business. NSA is the oldest and largest of 11 international associations comprising the Global Speakers Federation.- Founder :...
Speaker Hall of Fame. He was a member of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
President's Council on Service and Civic Participation
The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was created by President George W. Bush in January 2003 by executive order. Its mission is to encourage volunteerism and to recognize the contributions Americans make through service and civic participation.In January 2002, President...
(which ended in November 2008).
He received honorary degrees from a number of universities, including Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
and the University of Prince Edward Island
University of Prince Edward Island
The University of Prince Edward Island is a public liberal arts university in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the sole university in the province. Founded in 1969, it traces its roots back to its two earlier predecessor organizations, St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales...
. He served for many years as a trustee at Springfield College
Springfield College
Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
and donated money to build the swim center named in his honor.
Death
In early 2008, Linkletter suffered a mild stroke. He died on May 26, 2010 at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California. He was survived by his wife and their two surviving children, Dawn and Sharon.Personal life
Jack Linkletter
Jack Linkletter was an American game show and television host and entertainer. He was the son of Art Linkletter.-Early life:...
, a TV host), Dawn, Robert, Sharon and Diane. He was also a good friend of Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
. On Halloween 2011, Art's wife Lois died peacefully aged 96.
Linkletter's obituary read: "In a couple of months Art Linkletter would have been 98 years old, a full life of fun and goodness, an orphan who made it to the top... What a guy." He was survived by his wife, Lois, whom he married in 1935, and daughters Dawn Griffin and Sharon Linkletter, as well as seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Art and Lois Linkletter outlived three of their five children. 20-year-old Diane Linkletter
Diane Linkletter
Diane Linkletter was the daughter and youngest child of popular American media personality Art Linkletter, and his wife Lois Foerster...
died on October 4, 1969, by jumping out of her sixth-floor kitchen window (while a student at UCLA). Linkletter claimed that she committed suicide because she was on, or having a flashback from, an LSD
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...
trip
Psychedelic experience
The term "psychedelic experience" is vague – characterized by polyvalence or ambiguity due to its nature – however in modern psychopharmacological science as well as philosophical, psychological, neurological, spiritual-religious and most other ideological discourses it is understood as an altered...
. Linkletter spoke out against drugs to prevent children from straying into a drug habit. His record, We Love You, Call Collect, recorded before her death, featured a discussion about permissiveness in modern society, along with a rebuttal by Diane, titled Dear Mom and Dad. The record won a 1970 Grammy Award for the "Best Spoken Word Recording".
Robert Linkletter died in an automobile accident on September 12, 1980. Son Arthur Jack Linkletter
Jack Linkletter
Jack Linkletter was an American game show and television host and entertainer. He was the son of Art Linkletter.-Early life:...
(1937–2007) died from lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
.
External links
- "Art Linkletter, dies age 97"
- Disney Legends profile
- Retro Galaxy: Kids Say the Darndest Things!
- Interview with Art Linkletter
- Collection of quotes
- 2000 interview with Larry King
- Linkletter's view on federal drug policy
- Art Linkletter biography
- Art Linkletter: America's Fun Uncle, Life.com slideshow
- Find a Grave