Bob Barker was born Robert William Barker on December 12, 1923. He was from the humble town of Darrington, Washington, before moving to Missouri for school and, later, California to begin his career.
Barker was working at a radio station in California when Ralph Edwards scouted him. Edwards founded “Truth or Consequences,” a popular game show then.
Edwards asked Barker to host the show beginning in 1956 and kept his job for nearly two decades until 1975. He left “Truth or Consequences” due to the growing popularity of his second show, “The Price is Right.”
“The Price Is Right,” hosted by Barker, first aired in 1972. However, it was a revival of a short-lived game show from 1956 to 1965.
The show remained popular for decades and became the longest-running game show on American television. Barker hosted the show until he retired in 2007.
Besides a successful career, Barker had several causes close to his heart. He was an animal rights activist, once donating $5 million to fund a boat for an anti-whaling efforts group.
His late wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, inspired him to become an animal rights activist. She was once fiercely protective of animals; she chose to be vegetarian and did not wear anything made of animal skin or fur.
Gideon greatly influenced Barker in his decisions. She inspired him to become an animal rights activist and a vegetarian…CONTINUE READING