Peter Funt
Encyclopedia
Peter Funt is most notable for his role as an actor, co-host, host, and producer for the hit TV show, Candid Camera
. He worked for the Denver-radio station KHOW, ABC Radio Network, a writer for the New York Times, and various other media organizations throughout his career. He is a University of Denver
graduate.
s show, Candid Camera. Peter Funt graduated from the University of Denver earning his Bachelors of Arts in mass communications and journalism. During his time at the University of Denver he worked on the newspaper, The Clarion, as well as the radio station, KVDU. One of his most exciting moments while attending the University of Denver happened in 1967 when he interviewed Martin Luther King Jr. on his radio show. In 1970 he won the Silurian’s Award for that year’s best news reporting based upon Funt’s coverage on ABC News of racial disturbances in Asbury Park, NJ.
After he graduated he worked at the Denver radio station KHOW and at the ABC Radio Network in New York. Afterwards he got a job as an arts and leisure writer for The New York Times. During his earlier career, he also authored a book titled “Gotcha!” on the lost art of practical joking and was the editor and publisher of the television magazine, On Cable.
. In 2001, the show moved to the PAX network and Peter then co-hosted the show with Dina Eastwood
until 2004 when the show suspended production. During his time on the show Peter was a producer, host and acted on the show. He also produced and hosted over 200 episodes.
The only real problem that Peter had during his time on the show happened in on June 15, 2001 when Philip Zelnick, a Mohave Airport passenger claimed he got injured during one of the sequences on the show. Funt acted as an airport security guard and had passengers go through a fake x-ray machine. During this skit, Zelnick received a bruise on his thigh when getting off a conveyor belt. Zelnick sued Funt and the show and won the case, but when Funt appealed, the matter was settled out of court. The airport settled during the trial and paid Zelnick $95,000. PAX TV also gave him $7,500 out of court.
. In these articles he offered up his observations and opinions of television and film. His essay about the evolution of television was later included in “The Story of American Business,” which was published in 2009 by the Harvard Business Press
. He also has a weekly column distributed by the Cagle Syndicate.
Peter will frequently use clips from his time on Candid Camera to give a visual to the point he is trying to convey. He used both his speaking ability and his clips in publishing two business training videos, entitled "Too Close to the Customer" and "Expect the Unexpected." Both of which are still marketed frequently throughout the business community. His knowledge of human nature, with the help of his vast library of candid videos, has helped him become a very effective lecturer for top business, education, and social groups. His current presentation to business groups is called "The Candid You."
In addition to his publishing career, Peter is also the founder of the Monterey County Young Journalists program in California. The program offers hands-on training for high school students to help pursue their journalism goals. He has also inaugurated the Courtroom Journalism in Monterey County, as well as a statewide event for the Constitutional Right Foundation in Los Angeles.
School of Law, and Daniel who attends Georgetown University
. He currently lives in central California.
Candid Camera
Candid Camera is a hidden camera/practical joke reality television series created and produced by Allen Funt, which initially began on radio as Candid Microphone June 28, 1947...
. He worked for the Denver-radio station KHOW, ABC Radio Network, a writer for the New York Times, and various other media organizations throughout his career. He is a University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
graduate.
Early Life & Career Beginnings
Peter Funt grew up in New York, where he worked summers on the set of his Father Allen FuntAllen Funt
Allen Funt was an American television producer, director and writer, television personality, best known as the creator and host of Candid Camera from the 1940s to 1980s, as either a regular television show or a television series of specials...
s show, Candid Camera. Peter Funt graduated from the University of Denver earning his Bachelors of Arts in mass communications and journalism. During his time at the University of Denver he worked on the newspaper, The Clarion, as well as the radio station, KVDU. One of his most exciting moments while attending the University of Denver happened in 1967 when he interviewed Martin Luther King Jr. on his radio show. In 1970 he won the Silurian’s Award for that year’s best news reporting based upon Funt’s coverage on ABC News of racial disturbances in Asbury Park, NJ.
After he graduated he worked at the Denver radio station KHOW and at the ABC Radio Network in New York. Afterwards he got a job as an arts and leisure writer for The New York Times. During his earlier career, he also authored a book titled “Gotcha!” on the lost art of practical joking and was the editor and publisher of the television magazine, On Cable.
Involvement with Candid Camera
Candid Camera first aired in 1948 and was created by Peter Funt’s father, Allen. Peter first appeared on Candid Camera when he was only three years old. He posed as a shoeshine boy who charged ten dollars per shoe. He did not seriously join the show until 1987 when he became a co-host with his father. During this time the show was being broadcasted on the CBS television network. In 1993, Allen Funt had a terrible stroke, which he never fully recovered from requiring Peter to host the show full-time. Later in 1996, He hosted and was the executive producer of the Candid Camera 50th anniversary special. The show returned in 1996 for the revamped version of Candid Camera. In 1997, Peter co-hosted the show with Suzanne SomersSuzanne Somers
Suzanne Somers is an American actress, author, singer and businesswoman, known for her television roles as Chrissy Snow on Three's Company and as Carol Lambert on Step by Step....
. In 2001, the show moved to the PAX network and Peter then co-hosted the show with Dina Eastwood
Dina Eastwood
Dina Ruiz Eastwood is an American reporter, TV news anchor and film actress. In March 1996 she married actor/director Clint Eastwood and has acted in two films which he directed.- Private life :...
until 2004 when the show suspended production. During his time on the show Peter was a producer, host and acted on the show. He also produced and hosted over 200 episodes.
The only real problem that Peter had during his time on the show happened in on June 15, 2001 when Philip Zelnick, a Mohave Airport passenger claimed he got injured during one of the sequences on the show. Funt acted as an airport security guard and had passengers go through a fake x-ray machine. During this skit, Zelnick received a bruise on his thigh when getting off a conveyor belt. Zelnick sued Funt and the show and won the case, but when Funt appealed, the matter was settled out of court. The airport settled during the trial and paid Zelnick $95,000. PAX TV also gave him $7,500 out of court.
Career After Candid Camera
Following his stint as public figure and host for Candid Camera, Peter has written frequent op-eds for many nationally recognized news outlets including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, as well as The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is an American English-language international daily newspaper. It is published in New York City by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corporation, along with the Asian and European editions of the Journal....
. In these articles he offered up his observations and opinions of television and film. His essay about the evolution of television was later included in “The Story of American Business,” which was published in 2009 by the Harvard Business Press
Harvard Business Press
Harvard Business Press is the book-specific division of Harvard Business School Publishing, owned by the Harvard Business School, based in Boston, MA.The Press publishes general interest books in addition to business books...
. He also has a weekly column distributed by the Cagle Syndicate.
Peter will frequently use clips from his time on Candid Camera to give a visual to the point he is trying to convey. He used both his speaking ability and his clips in publishing two business training videos, entitled "Too Close to the Customer" and "Expect the Unexpected." Both of which are still marketed frequently throughout the business community. His knowledge of human nature, with the help of his vast library of candid videos, has helped him become a very effective lecturer for top business, education, and social groups. His current presentation to business groups is called "The Candid You."
In addition to his publishing career, Peter is also the founder of the Monterey County Young Journalists program in California. The program offers hands-on training for high school students to help pursue their journalism goals. He has also inaugurated the Courtroom Journalism in Monterey County, as well as a statewide event for the Constitutional Right Foundation in Los Angeles.
Laughter Therapy Foundation
Peter has followed in his father’s footsteps by taking over as President of the Laughter Therapy Foundation. Started in 1982 by Allen Funt, the foundation uses the immense comedic library of Candid Camera to send special tapes to terminally ill people throughout the entire nation.Personal Life
In 1986, Peter Funt married Amy Suzanne Meltzer. He has two children, Stephanie who attends Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate University
Golden Gate University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in the South of Market district, immediately south of the Financial District of downtown San Francisco, California...
School of Law, and Daniel who attends Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
. He currently lives in central California.