Game Shows Hosted by Peter Marshall and His Career as a Big Band Singer

• Peter Marshall, born Ralph Pierre LaCock, was best known as the host of the popular game show “The Hollywood Squares” from 1966 to 1981.
• Before his game show fame, Marshall had a successful career as a singer, touring with big bands starting at age 15 and appearing in Broadway musicals.
• In addition to “The Hollywood Squares,” Marshall hosted a few other short-lived game shows later in his career but remained primarily a singing actor.
• Marshall died on August 15, 2024, at the age of 98.

From Singer to Game Show Host

Peter Marshall, born Ralph Pierre LaCock on March 30, 1926, in Huntington, West Virginia, had a diverse career in the entertainment industry.

He began his journey as a teenager, touring with the Bob Chester Orchestra as a singer. Marshall’s talent and charisma caught the attention of NBC, where he worked as a radio page and an usher at the Paramount Theater.

After serving in World War II, Marshall formed a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan, appearing in nightclubs, theaters, and on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

His acting career took off when he became a contract player for Twentieth Century Fox in the 1950s, appearing in films like “The Rookie” and “Swingin’ Along.”

The Hollywood Squares

Marshall’s big break came in 1966 when he was selected to host “The Hollywood Squares,” a celebrity game show that would run for 16 years on NBC. He helped define the role of the smooth, professional game show host, playing straight man to the stars while allowing them to showcase their comedic talents.

Marshall’s warm rapport with regulars like Paul Lynde, George Gobel, and Joan Rivers made the show an instant hit. He adapted well to the format, which often saw the questions as mere set-ups for joke answers from the celebrity guests.

“The Hollywood Squares” would win four Daytime Emmys during Marshall’s tenure and become a cultural institution, spawning international versions and reboots.

Broadway and Beyond

Despite his success on “The Hollywood Squares,” Marshall never forgot his roots as a singer. He had starred opposite Chita Rivera in “Bye Bye Birdie” in London’s West End in 1962 and appeared in Broadway versions of “High Button Shoes,” “The Music Man,” and “42nd Street.”

After his long run on “The Hollywood Squares” ended in 1981, Marshall hosted a few other game shows, including “Stumpers!” and “Starcade.”

However, he primarily returned to his first love, singing, appearing in various stage productions and concerts.