Bob Barker is a retired television game show host. He is widely recognised for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right show from 1972 to 2007. For nearly a decade, he has not been in the spotlight, making his fans wonder if he is okay. Is Bob Barker still alive? Despite being a famous TV host, Bob Barker is an animal activist. In 1995, he founded The DJ&T Foundation in honour of his late wife, Dorothy. On January 2023, news about him spread on social media, and fans wondered if Bob Barker was dead or alive.
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Biography
Bob Barker was born in Darrington, Washington and raised on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. His family later relocated to Springfield, Missouri, where he was raised by his parents, Matilda 'Tillie' Valandra and Byron John Barker. Tragically, his father passed away when Bob was young, which shaped much of his early life.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Robert William Barker |
| Nickname | Bob |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 12 December 1923 |
| Age | 99 years old (as of August 2023) |
| Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
| Place of birth | Darrington, Washington DC, United States |
| Current residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height in feet | 6'1" |
| Height in centimeters | 185 |
| Weight in pounds | 187 |
| Weight in kilograms | 85 |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Father | Byran John Barker |
| Mother | Matilda 'Tillie' Valandra |
| Marital status | Widowed |
| Wife | Dorothy Jo Gideon (died in 1981) |
| High School | Central High School |
| University | Drury College |
| Profession | Animal activist, former TV personality |
Career Journey
Bob Barker's career began in the media industry while he was still studying at Drury College. He worked as an announcer and news editor at a Palm Beach station, where he honed his skills and built his reputation. In 1950, he made a significant move to California, where he hosted The Bob Barker Show on Burbank Radio for six years, marking the start of his illustrious career.
In 1956, Barker took on a new role as the host of Ralph Edward's show Truth or Consequences, which had begun as an NBS Radio program in 1940. He would remain with the show for 15 years, but his career blossomed further when he began hosting The Price Is Right game show in 1972. This show became his signature role, where he would entertain audiences for an impressive 35 years.
Personal Life
Bob Barker's personal life has been marked by both joy and sorrow. He married Dorothy Jo Gideon on December 12, 1945. However, Dorothy tragically passed away in 1981 due to lung cancer, which left a significant impact on Barker. Since her passing, he has chosen to remain single, as he once expressed that Dorothy was the love of his life.
Current Status and Impact
As of August 2023, Bob Barker is 99 years old and living in Los Angeles, California. His absence from the media since 2015 sparked concerns about his health and well-being. However, he has made occasional guest appearances, including celebrating his 90th birthday on The Price Is Right in 2013 and a surprise appearance on April 1, 2015.
Barker remains a passionate animal rights activist, supporting various organizations, including PETA and the Animal Defenders International. His foundation, The DJ&T Foundation, continues to work towards controlling the pet population. Despite his advanced age, Bob Barker's legacy as an entertainer and advocate for animals lives on.
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