Peter Marshall, who began his career as a radio personality and actor before landing the job as host of the original “Hollywood Squares,” a role he filled for 15 years, died Thursday at his Encino home at age 98.
His publicist, Harlan Boll, said Marshall died of kidney failure, “although as Peter remarked, his cause of death should officially be of boredom.” He died surrounded by “loved ones,” including his wife of 35 years, Laurie.
A native of West Virginia, Marshall is best known for his work on “Hollywood Squares,” hosting more than 5,000 episodes of the Tic-Tac-Toe style quiz show. Marshall would feed trivia questions to celebrities who sat in the life-sized game board, with contestants then asked to either agree or disagree with the celebrity answers.
SANTA MONICA, CA – MARCH 19: Actors Monty Hall, Wink Martindale, and Peter Marshall present onstage at the 2006 TV Land Awards at the Barker Hangar on March 19, 2006 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
FILE – Host Peter Marshall appears at the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Center on Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. Marshall, who spent 16 years as host of “The Hollywood Squares,” has died at 98. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 19: TV host Peter Marshall (L) and wife Laurie Marshall arrive at the 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards held at the Las Vegas Hilton on June 19, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – OCTOBER 19: T.V. Host Peter Marshall arrives at the premiere of MGM’s “Music Within” held at the Arclight Theaters on October 19, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez)
LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 13: Television personality Peter Marshall poses after being inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame at the Las Vegas Hilton October 13, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marshall, along with Wink Martindale, Hugh Downs and Monty Hall, were the first inductees into the hall. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 13: Television personality Peter Marshall poses after being inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame at the Las Vegas Hilton October 13, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marshall, along with Wink Martindale, Hugh Downs and Monty Hall, were the first inductees into the hall. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 13: Television personality Peter Marshall speaks as he is inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame at the Las Vegas Hilton October 13, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marshall, along with Hugh Downs, Wink Martindale and Monty Hall, were the first inductees into the hall. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS – OCTOBER 13: Television personality Peter Marshall reacts after being inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame at the Las Vegas Hilton October 13, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marshall, along with Hugh Downs, Wink Martindale and Monty Hall, were the first inductees into the hall. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MAY 10: Television personality Peter Marshall arrives at AFI Associates luncheon honoring Hollywood’s Arquette family with the 6th Annual “Platinum Circle Award” held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 10, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)
SANTA MONICA, CA – MARCH 19: Game show host Peter Marshall arrives at the 2006 TV Land Awards at the Barker Hangar on March 19, 2006 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA – MARCH 19: Actor Peter Marshall is seen at the Coby display at Distinctive Assets At The 2006 TV Land Awards gifting lounge at Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport on March 19, 2006 in Santa Monica, CA. (Photo by Katy Winn/Getty Images for Distinctive Assets)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JULY 23: Actor Peter Marshall and wife Laurie Marshall at the opening night of Carol Channing’s show ‘Razzle Dazzle’ held at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian CentreTheatre on July 23, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JULY 23: Actor Peter Marshall poses at the opening night of Carol Channing’s show ‘Razzle Dazzle’ held at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian CentreTheatre on July 23, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
ENCINO, CA – AUGUST 5: Game show host Peter Marshall attends the book signing for Rose Marie’s new book “Hold The Roses” at Barnes and Noble Books on August 5, 2003 in Encino, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MAY 6: Actor Peter Marshall and his wife arrive at the opening night of the play “An Evening With Golda Meir” at The Canon Theatre on May 6, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Getty Images)
STUDIO CITY, CA – August 7: Actor Peter Marshall and wife Laurie Stewart pose as they attend a book signing for “Backstage with the Original Hollywood Squares” at Bookstar on August 7, 2002 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Alexander Sibaja/Getty Images)
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SANTA MONICA, CA – MARCH 19: Actors Monty Hall, Wink Martindale, and Peter Marshall present onstage at the 2006 TV Land Awards at the Barker Hangar on March 19, 2006 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The game featured a rotating panel of celebs, along with regulars such as Paul Lynde, George Gobel, Joan Rivers and Rich Little.
After serving in the Army in the 1940s, Marshall — who was born Ralph Pierre LaCock — worked as a radio disc jockey and in a nightclub comedy act that toured nationally, including an appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” He then scored a series of screen roles, including “Ensign Pulver,” “The Rookie” and “Annie.”
Marshall was also a veteran stage actor, performing in productions including “Bye Bye Birdie,” “The Music Man,” “42nd Street” and “La Cage Aux Folles.”
Following his wildly successful stint on “Hollywood Squares,” he briefly hosted “The Peter Marshall Variety Show,” then later appeared on other game shows such as “Fantasy” with Leslie Uggams, “All-Star Blitz” and “Yahtzee.”
He also made an array of guest appearances on television shows including “The Love Boat,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Love American Style,” “The Lucy Show,” “Lou Grant” and “Hotel.”
Marshall was also a longtime animal advocate, recently taking part in a 50th anniversary tribute for Betty White’s Pet Set. In 2002, he wrote his memoir, “Backstage With the Original Hollywood Square.”
Marshall is survived by his wife Laurie; daughters Suzanne Browning and Jaime Dimarco; son Pete LaCock; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His other son David died in 2021 due to COVID-19.
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