Richard Dawson, best known as the beloved host of Family Feud, has passed away from rom complications due to esophageal cancer. TMZ reports that Dawson's son Gary posted the following to Facebook this morning:
It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my father passed away this evening from complications due to esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered...
Dawson was the host of Family Feud from 1976 through 1985 and again from 1994 to 1995. He had several acting roles as well, including his best-known acting job as the egotistical game-show host Damon Killian in Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Running Man and Capt. Peter Newkirk on Hogan's Heroes.
Dawson met his second wife Gretchen Johnson on Family Feud when she was a contestant; they got married in 1991. Dawson stopped his famous habit of kissing the female contestants after marrying Gretchen as a promise to her. He was also married to Diana Dors, with whom he had two songs.
On behalf of 411, our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Mr. Dawson.
