Richard Dawson

"I'm a hustler. I'm a smart-ass. But I love people."
Star of "Hogan's Heroes" and the original "Family Feud."
 

REAL NAME: Colin Emm

BIRTH PLACE: Gosport, England

BIRTH DATE: November 20, 1932

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY:
    Promises! Promises! (1963) - actor
    "Hogan's Heroes" (1965-1971) - Corporal Newkirk
    "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in" (1968-1973) - regular performer
    "Can You Top This" (1970) - comic
    "The Match Game" (1973-1978) - panelist
    "Family Feud" (1976-1985) - Host
    "TV's Funniest Gameshow Moments" (1984) - Himself
    The Running Man (1987) - Damon Killian

MARRIAGE: Diana Dors, who he married in 1959 and divorced in 1967. They had two children, both of whom Dawson gained custody. In 1991, he married Gretchen Johnson, to whom he is still married. They also had one child together.

OTHER INTRIGUING FACTS:
    In his teens, Dawson made his money as a boxer. Because he was so young, he had to lie about his age.
    Early in his career, he often went under the alias of Dickie Dawson - which was later changed to Richard Dawson (as we know him now).
    He appeared as a guest star in episodes of "The Jack Benny Program," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Odd Couple," "Fantasy Island," and "The Love Boat."
    As host of "Family Feud," Dawson was known for kissing all his female contestants for good luck. The act caused such a commotion at one point that the network decided to give the public the chance to either keep or eliminate the kisses - the response was overwhelmingly in favour, so it continued (as long as it was cleared with the contestants before each show).
    He was a recurring co-host on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, between the years of 1978 and 1980.
    He met his second wife, Gretchen, on "Family Feud." She was a member of one of the families featured on the show.

For more information, see http://www.angelfire.com/celeb/richarddawson/main2.html