Entertainer, Producer, Author. Best known as the host of the zany TV program "The Gong Show" (1976 to 1980). Born Charles Hirsch Barris, into a Jewish family, his father was a dentist, Chuck was educated at Lower Merion High School and later at Drexel University. While attending the latter, he had a position on the school's newspaper. After relocating to New York following graduation, he held several occupations before finding a job as a "gofer" at NBC. This would be temporary. After he was let go due to cutbacks, he took a job with ABC and moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a daytime programmer. This led to his career as a producer, initially with the program "The Dating Game" in 1965 of which became a large success. This was followed with the popular program "The Newlywed Game." In addition to his television work, he penned several books including the bestselling novel "You and Me, Babe" (1974). He starred in "The Gong Show Movie" (1980). He wrote "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography" in 1984. The book was made into a 2002 movie adaptation directed by George Clooney. Barris died from natural causes.
Entertainer, Producer, Author. Best known as the host of the zany TV program "The Gong Show" (1976 to 1980). Born Charles Hirsch Barris, into a Jewish family, his father was a dentist, Chuck was educated at Lower Merion High School and later at Drexel University. While attending the latter, he had a position on the school's newspaper. After relocating to New York following graduation, he held several occupations before finding a job as a "gofer" at NBC. This would be temporary. After he was let go due to cutbacks, he took a job with ABC and moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a daytime programmer. This led to his career as a producer, initially with the program "The Dating Game" in 1965 of which became a large success. This was followed with the popular program "The Newlywed Game." In addition to his television work, he penned several books including the bestselling novel "You and Me, Babe" (1974). He starred in "The Gong Show Movie" (1980). He wrote "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography" in 1984. The book was made into a 2002 movie adaptation directed by George Clooney. Barris died from natural causes.
Bio by: C.S.
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