Chuck Woolery, Original Host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Love Connection,’ Dies at 83

Chuck Woolery, the charismatic and smooth-talking game show host known for his roles on ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ ‘Love Connection,’ and ‘Scrabble,’ has passed away at the age of 83. According to Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, by his side.

Woolery began his television career as the original host of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ which debuted on January 6, 1975, on NBC. He hosted the show until he was replaced by Pat Sajak after a salary dispute with the show’s creator, Merv Griffin. Despite his early departure from ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ Woolery went on to have a successful career in game shows, most notably hosting ‘Love Connection’ for 11 years starting in 1983 and ‘Scrabble’ from 1984 to 1990.

Woolery was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. His career also included hosting other game shows such as ‘Lingo,’ ‘Greed,’ and ‘The Chuck Woolery Show,’ as well as a short-lived revival of ‘The Dating Game‘ from 1998 to 2000 and an ill-fated 1991 talk show. He also made appearances on TV shows like ‘Melrose Place‘ in 1992.

In his later years, Woolery transitioned into podcasting, where he became known for his right-wing views and commentary on various topics, including COVID-19. Despite some controversy surrounding his views on the pandemic, Woolery clarified that he never called COVID-19 a hoax but rather felt that the public had been misled about the virus.

Woolery is survived by his wife, Kristen, and his children, Michael, Sean, and Melissa. Mark Young described Woolery as “a dear friend and brother and a tremendous man of faith,” noting that “life will not be the same without him”).