When asked about his sexuality, Griffin never confirmed nor denied rumors about him being gay; his co-stars and staff members have purported this to be true. for ABC), Griffin was one of the many guest hosts who presided over Tonight in the interim. His 7-year-old grandson Donovan Mervyn was an honorary pallbearer, as was Nancy Reagan. display: none; Produced in association with Program Partners and the William Morris Agency, it began airing September 10, 2007. Griffin being gay was a widely known truth in Hollywood that did not need to be mentioned because of the "privacy laws" that protect such information from being outed. Honors event along with his widow Julann. As a young man, he became a singer on radio and in nightclubs and then went on to movies and TV. However, Griffin still considered the hope of being an entertainer. In 1965, Griffin launched a syndicated talk show for Group W (Westinghouse Broadcasting) titled The Merv Griffin Show. In 2012, Reelin' In the Years Productions started handling all rights to the series on behalf of The Griffin Group. I've been in the public eye for more than fifty years as Merv Griffin, not as somebody else's creation. [17] Buzzell was engaged to popular singer Lu Ann Simms, with a wedding date set for July 24, 1954. In 2007, Griffin's production company, Merv Griffin Entertainment, began production on a new syndicated game show, Merv Griffin's Crosswords (originally titled Let's Play Crosswords and Let's Do Crosswords). ", Merv Griffin on the island of Alcatraz during the Native American occupation of Alcatraz in San Francisco 1969 | Source: Getty Images. Since then, all 18-year-old Griffin did was show business. is for general information purposes only. When she drops in to visit for Thanksgiving in "Peter's Sister". . Merv Griffin poses for a portrait picture in 1985 | Source: Getty Images. He graced the pages of different magazines but kept his private life in the closet, and soon rumors started flying around. He was a . Griffin produced the show's successor, Wheel of Fortune, which premiered January 6, 1975, with host Chuck Woolery and hostess Susan Stafford and had high ratings throughout its network run. in 1964. They traveled everywhere together, from Morocco to other islands. After Griffin's death, The Hollywood Reporter published a report stating that he had been a closeted gay man. Meg discovers that she treats Peter the same way that he treats her. The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series 1962-1986) - IMDb He was a singer, actor and longtime host of "The Merv Griffin Show." He created "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune," but to his only child, Tony Griffin, he was just dad. He was his own boss. While it would seem everything has changed today, little actually has. | Photo: Getty Images. } She declared marriage was too interesting an experiment to be tried only once or twice. He also revealed the breakup happened just before Eva tragically died. It has been alleged that legendary TV producer and the game show host of "The Merv Griffin Show," Merv Griffin led a "secret gay life" while he was alive. [2] He began his career as a radio and big band singer, later appearing in film and on Broadway. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. The Hollywood star was admitted to the hospital on June 21 after breaking her hip from a fall while traveling. This is juxtapositioned with the non-judgment that comes with someone saying they have a wife and children instead of being honest about their sexual orientation, which is what Griffin did. Griffin persisted in said advances, often speaking of the financial gains that [Terrio] would enjoy.". Merv Griffin - NNDB Additionally, the sources reported witnessing Griffin on a cozy date in a dimly lit restaurant with another man, where the two were very clearly flirting. Stewart goes on to reveal that four game show announcers who had worked for Griffin in the past came forward to confirm Griffin being in the closet. The theme returned to the show in 2021 at the start of season 39. [2] He began his career as a radio and big band singer, later appearing in film and on Broadway. It has been alleged that legendary TV producer and the game show host of "The Merv Griffin Show," Merv Griffin led a "secret gay life" while he was alive. He did not get to do that with 'Merv Griffin's Crossword' that comes out in September. Just before his death, he created his last game show Crosswords (2007). Although amused at first, she realizes that Karen takes things too far and decides to work with Peter to even the odds. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Even though he started with excellent ratings, the show was canceled less than a year after. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! It wasn't something that he it wasn't something that it wasn't him. Griffin did not get the part, but the screen test led to supporting roles in other musical films such as So This Is Love (also 1953),[14] which caused a minor controversy when Griffin shared an open-mouthed kiss with Kathryn Grayson. Maybe that helps explain why Griffin, who died of prostate cancer Sunday at 82, stayed in the closet throughout his life. Despite having a remarkable career based on his charisma and charm, the authentic Griffin was never able to make an appearance. Trump asks for mistrial in E. Jean Carroll rape lawsuit, U.S. to let Afghan evacuees renew temporary legal status, First Republic Bank seized by regulators, then sold to JPMorgan Chase, Texas man who lost wife and son in shooting shares story, Tornado hits Virginia Beach, damaging up to 100 homes, More Americans escape Sudan as country teeters on edge of civil war, Mental health of LGBTQ youth worsening in current "hostile political climate", Stray bullet strikes college baseball player during game, Texas police say, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo found dead at 46. [46] He was a longtime member of the Republican Party.[47]. Griffin's longtime bandleader was Mort Lindsey. It's not uncommon for queer celebrities, especially those from times past, to get married as a means of hiding their sexual orientation. The show as we know it today didn't come about until 1984 with the legendary Alex Trebek at the helm. display: none; In an Associated Press profile released before it premiered, he discussed the show's origins:[1]. Its disheartening that Merv had to die to shake it for good. Intended as a nighttime companion to The Mike Douglas Show and succeeding Steve Allen and Regis Philbin in the time slot, this version of the Griffin program aired in multiple time slots throughout North America (many stations ran it in the daytime, and other non-NBC affiliates broadcast it opposite The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson). His fear of coming out was ascribed to the possible effect on his career when people did not accept homosexuality in Hollywood. The game show was titled "Jeopardy!" It was then that Merv, who loved puzzles, came up with the idea for a show called "Jeopardy!" That was it. [50][51], Funeral services were held on August 17, 2007, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. Wheel barely escaped cancellation in 1980, when NBC replaced three of its other game shows with a daytime talk show starring David Letterman. The performance is considered one of Houstons best and her introduction to the music world. His charges are ridiculous and untrue.". The TV host claimed that he had been sexually assaulted by Griffin in 1978 and sought $11.3 million as reparation. After the couple divorced, Griffin allegedly entered a romantic relationship with Hungarian-American actress Eva Gabor. According to Griffin, they were driven apart by their inability to agree on the house they would live in and which staff Eva would bring with her. In 1998, a Golden Palm Star on the Walk of Stars in Palm Springs was dedicated to him. after moving it twice on its daytime schedule, despite having an additional year on its network contract.