Citizendia
Your Ad Here

Merv Griffin
Born Mervyn Edward Griffin, Jr.
July 6, 1925(1925-07-06)
San Mateo, CA, United States
Died August 12, 2007 (aged 82)
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Cause of death Prostate cancer
Burial place Westwood Village Memorial Park, Los Angeles
34°03′30″N 118°26′28″W / 34.0583468, -118.4411348
Occupation Actor, Talk Show Host, Entertainer, Business magnate
Spouse Julann Wright (1958-1976; divorced)
Children Anthony Patrick Griffin (b. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. San Mateo ( "san muh-TAY-o") is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works " Street Spirit (Fade Out " (commonly called " Street Spirit " is a single by Radiohead, released in 1996 which is the closing track from their See also Entertainment (disambiguation and The Entertainer (disambiguation Entertainment is an activity designed to give people A business magnate, sometimes referred to as a mogul, tycoon, baron, or industrialist, is a person who has reached a prominent place in 1960)[1]
Website
http://www.merv.com/

Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. (July 6, 1925 – August 12, 2007) was an American television host and media mogul. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A presenter, or host (sometimes hostess, in feminine form is a Person or Organization responsible for running an event A media proprietor is a person who controls either through personal ownership or a dominant position in a Public company, a significant part of the Mass media. [2] He began his career as a singer and he also appeared in movies and on Broadway; he later became host of his own talk show, The Merv Griffin Show, and he created the long-running award-winning game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, becoming an entertainment business magnate. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located A talk show ( American) or chat show ( Global) is a Television or Radio program where one person or group of people come together to The Merv Griffin Show was a long-running American Television talk show, starring singer Merv Griffin. The entertainment industry (much of which is informally known as show business or show biz) consists of a large number of sub-industries devoted to Entertainment A business magnate, sometimes referred to as a mogul, tycoon, baron, or industrialist, is a person who has reached a prominent place in

Contents

Biography

Early life

Griffin was born into a middle class Irish American family on July 6, 1925 in San Mateo, California to Mervyn Griffin Sr. Irish Americans (Gael-Mheiriceánach are citizens of the United States who can claim ancestry originating in Ireland. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. San Mateo ( "san muh-TAY-o") is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States , a stock broker and Rita Griffin (née Robinson), a homemaker. Raised as a Roman Catholic, Griffin started singing in his church choir as a boy, and by his teens was earning extra money as a church organist. He attended San Mateo High School, class of 1942, and continued to aid in financing the school. San Mateo High School is an American public High school in San Mateo, California serving grades 9-12 as part of the San Mateo Union High School District [3]

During World War II, Merv was declared 4F after failing several military physical exams due to increased weight and having a slight heart murmur. The Selective Service System is the means by which the United States administers military Conscription. Murmurs are abnormal Heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow which is sufficient to produce audible noise Drafted for service during the Korean War, he was slimmed down and passed the physical, but was deemed too old as the draft limit was 26 and he had just turned 27.

Career

Singing at 19

Griffin started as a singer on radio at age 19, appearing on San Francisco Sketchbook, a nationally syndicated program based at KFRC. In Broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast Radio shows and Television shows to multiple individual stations without going through Griffin was slightly overweight as a teenager, which disappointed his radio fans. Embarrassed by their reaction, Griffin resolved to lose weight and change his image, losing 80 pounds in four months. Freddy Martin heard him on the radio show and asked Griffin to tour with his orchestra[1], which he did for four years. Frederick Alfred (Freddy Martin ( December 9 1906 – September 30 1983) was an American bandleader and tenor saxophonist A big band is a type of Musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s until the late [4]

Within a year, Griffin earned enough to form his own record label, Panda Records, which produced Songs by Merv Griffin, the first American album ever recorded on magnetic tape. [5] He became increasingly popular with nightclub audiences, and his fame soared among the general public with his 1950 hit I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts. "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" is a novelty song composed in 1944 by Fred Heatherton, an English songwriter and celebrates Coconut shy (coconut toss The song reached the number one spot on the Hit Parade and sold three million copies. [6]

During one of his nightclub performances, Griffin was discovered by Doris Day. Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff (born April 3, 1922) is an American Singer, actress, and animal welfare advocate known as Day arranged for a screen test at Warner Brothers Studios for a role in By the Light of the Silvery Moon. For the BBC TV series see Screen Test. A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an Actor or actress for Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and By the Light of the Silvery Moon is a 1953 Musical film and the sequel to On Moonlight Bay. Griffin didn't get the part, but the screen test led to supporting roles in other musical films such as So This is Love in 1953. [7] The film caused a minor controversy when Griffin shared an open-mouthed kiss with Kathryn Grayson. A kiss is the touching of one person's lips to another place which is used as an expression of Affection, Respect, Greeting, Farewell WikipediaWikiProject_Opera#Infoboxes --> Kathryn Grayson (born February 9, 1922) is an American actress The kiss was a first in Hollywood film history since the introduction of the Production Code in 1934. For the television broadcasting term please see Production code number. [8]

Griffin would go on to film more pictures, namely, The Boy From Oklahoma and Phantom of the Rue Morgue, but soon became disillusioned with movie making. Griffin bought his contract back from Warner Brothers and decided to focus on a new medium: television. [3]

Game show host

From 1958 to 1962, Griffin hosted a game show produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman called Play Your Hunch. Mark Goodson ( January 14, 1915 &ndash December 18, 1992) was a successful American Television producer who specialized William (Wilbur S "Bill" Todman ( July 31, 1916 &ndash July 29, 1979) was an American Play Your Hunch was an American game show first hosted by Merv Griffin from 1958 to 1962, and was then hosted by Robert Q The show appeared on all three networks, but primarily on NBC. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's He also hosted a prime time game show for ABC called Keep Talking. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. In 1963, NBC offered him the opportunity to host a new game show, Word for Word, which Griffin produced. He also produced Let's Play Post Office for NBC in 1965; Reach for the Stars for NBC in 1967; One in a Million for ABC in 1967, and in 1990, an ambitious but unsuccessful attempt at making a game show out of the venerable board game Monopoly. A board game is a Game in which counters or pieces that are placed on removed from or moved across a "board" (a premarked surface usually specific to that game Monopoly is a Board game published by Parker Brothers, a subsidiary of Hasbro.

Talk show host

Griffin scored a coup when Jack Paar accidentally emerged onto the set of Play Your Hunch during a live broadcast, and Griffin got him to stay for a spontaneous interview. Jack Harold Paar ( May 1, 1918 &ndash January 27, 2004) was an American Radio and Television talk show host He parlayed that into a guest-hosting spot on The Tonight Show, then hosted by Paar, and his own daytime talk show on NBC in 1962. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as appropriate --> The Tonight Show is a long-running

In 1965, Griffin launched a syndicated talk show for Group W (Westinghouse Broadcasting): The Merv Griffin Show. Westinghouse Broadcasting Company, also known as Group W, was the Broadcasting division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The Merv Griffin Show was a long-running American Television talk show, starring singer Merv Griffin. The show aired in a variety of time slots throughout North America; many stations ran it in the daytime, some broadcast it opposite Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show, and it was carried for many years in prime time on WNEW in New York. John William “Johnny” Carson ( October 23, 1925 &ndash January 23, 2005) was an American Television host and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as appropriate --> The Tonight Show is a long-running New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Griffin's announcer/sidekick was the veteran British character actor Arthur Treacher, who had been his mentor. Arthur Veary Treacher ( July 23 1894 &ndash December 14 1975) was an English actor born in Brighton, East Sussex Treacher would introduce Griffin with the phrase: "And now, the dear boy himself" after reading off the list of guests for that evening's show. After Treacher left the show, Griffin would do the announcing himself, and walk on stage with the phrase: "And now. . . , here I come!" According to an obituary article on August 24, 2007 in Entertainment Weekly, The Merv Griffin Show was on the air for 21 years and won eleven Emmy Awards during its run. Entertainment Weekly (sometimes abbreviated as EW) is a Magazine published by Time Inc The Merv Griffin Show was a long-running American Television talk show, starring singer Merv Griffin.

Griffin was not shy about tackling controversial subjects, especially the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia The guests on the Westinghouse show were an eclectic mix of entertainers, authors, politicians, and "personality" performers like Zsa Zsa Gabor. Zsa Zsa Gabor ( born February 6 1917) is a Hungarian -born American Actress and Socialite. Griffin also booked controversial guests like George Carlin, Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor, Norman Mailer, and Bertrand Russell. George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12 1937 – June 22 2008 was an American stand-up comedian, often considered one of the best of all time Dick Gregory (born Richard Claxton Gregory on October 12, 1932) is an American Comedian, Social activist, Writer Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III ( December 1, 1940 &ndash December 10, 2005) was an American Comedian, Actor Norman Kingsley Mailer ( January 31, 1923 &ndash November 10, 2007) was an American Novelist, Journalist, Bertrand Arthur William Russell 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS (18 May 1872 – 2 February 1970 was a British Philosopher, Historian Griffin received critical acclaim for booking such guests, but was also widely criticized for it. When anti-war activist Bertrand Russell used Griffin's show to condemn the war in Vietnam, Griffin was criticized for letting Russell have his say. The term anti-war usually refers to the opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. Activism, in a general sense can be described as intentional action to bring about social or political change Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially Arnold Schwarzenegger made his talk show debut in the United States on Griffin's talk show in 1974 after moving from Austria and becoming a bodybuilder. Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger ( German ˌaɐnɔlt aloʏs ˈʃvaɐtsənɛɡɐ born July 30 1947 is an Austrian American Bodybuilder, Actor Griffin would also frequently chat with audience members. [3] One regular audience member, Lillian Miller, would become a fixture on Griffin's program throughout its run. Lillian Dorothy Miller ( 26 May 1897, Massachusetts &ndash 1 April 1990, Los Angeles California) better known as

Merv's best friend since the sixth grade, Robert (Bob) Murphy, was the producer of The Merv Griffin Show, and eventually became President of Merv Griffin Enterprises.

Late-night host

CBS gave Griffin a late-night show opposite Johnny Carson in 1969, a move which proved disastrous. The network was uncomfortable with the guests Griffin wanted, who often spoke out against the Vietnam War and on other taboo topics. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia When political activist Abbie Hoffman was Griffin's guest in April 1970, CBS blurred the video of Hoffman so viewers at home would not see his trademark American flag pattern shirt even though other guests had worn the same shirt in the past, uncensored. Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman (November 30 1936 &ndash April 12 1989 was a radical social and political activist in the United States who co-founded the Griffin disliked the censorship imposed by CBS and complained. [3]

Sensing that his time at CBS was ending, and tired of the restrictions imposed by the network, Griffin secretly signed a contract with rival company Metromedia. Metromedia (also often MetroMedia) was a media company that owned radio and Television stations in the United States from 1956 The contract with Metromedia would give him a syndicated daytime talk show deal as soon as CBS canceled Griffin's show. Within a few months, Griffin was fired by CBS. His new show began the following Monday and ran until the mid 1980s. By 1986, Griffin was ready to retire and ended his talk show run. Due to profits from his highly successful game shows, Griffin had become one of the wealthiest entertainers on the planet. [3]

Game show creator

Griffin created and produced the successful television game show Jeopardy! in 1964; in an Associated Press profile released right before the show premiered, Griffin talked about the show's origins:[1]

My wife Julann just came up with the idea one day when were were in a plane bringing us back to New York from Duluth. The Associated Press ( AP) is an American News agency. The AP is a Cooperative owned by its contributing Newspapers radio I was mulling over game show ideas, when she noted that there had not been a successful 'question and answer' game on the air since the quiz show scandals. The American quiz show scandals of the 1950s were the result of the revelation that contestants of several popular Television Quiz shows were secretly Why not do a switch, and give the answers to the contestant and let them come up with the question.
She fired a couple of answers to me: '5,280' and the question of course was how many feet in a mile. Another was '79 Wistful Vista. ' That was Fibber and Mollie McGee's address. Fibber McGee and Molly was a radio show that played a major role in determining the full form of what became classic old-time radio. I loved the idea, went straight to NBC with the idea, and they bought it without even looking at a pilot show. A television pilot is a test episode of an intended Television series.

The show premiered on NBC on March 30, 1964, hosted by Art Fleming, and lasted for 11 years. Events 240 BC - 1st recorded Perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Art Fleming ( May 1 1924 - April 25 1995) was an American television host most notably the original host of the TV Game show Merv wrote the 30-second piece of music heard during the show's Final Jeopardy! Round, and which later became the melody of the theme for the show in the Alex Trebek era. George Alexander "Alex" Trebek (born July 22 1940 is an Emmy Award -winning Canadian - American

In 1975, NBC canceled Jeopardy! after moving it twice on their daytime schedule and despite having an additional year on its network contract left to fulfill. Griffin produced the show's successor, Wheel of Fortune. Premiering on January 3, 1975, Wheel became a modest hit on daytime television with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford as host and hostess, which later became a phenomenon when on September 13, 1983, Wheel of Fortune hit the syndication market with Pat Sajak and Vanna White in the same respective roles. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Charles Herbert "Chuck" Woolery (born on March 16, 1941) is an American Game show host, Singer, Actor and Susan Stafford (born Susan Gail Carney in 1945 in Lynn Massachusetts) was the original hostess of the game show Wheel of Fortune Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Pat Sajak (born Patrick Leonard Sajdak on October 26, 1946) is a Television personality, former weatherman and a former Talk Vanna White (born February 18 1957 is an American Television personality best known as puzzle-board presenter and co-host on the long-running Game show Two different revivals of Jeopardy! would be produced: one on NBC that ran for five months in late 1978/early 1979 with Art Fleming returning as host, and the other airing in first-run syndication beginning on September 10, 1984 starring Alex Trebek. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Art Fleming ( May 1 1924 - April 25 1995) was an American television host most notably the original host of the TV Game show Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) George Alexander "Alex" Trebek (born July 22 1940 is an Emmy Award -winning Canadian - American Both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! remain on the air today.

Upon his retirement, Griffin sold his production company, Merv Griffin Enterprises, to Columbia Pictures Television unit for US$250 million, the largest acquisition of an entertainment company owned by a single individual at that time. Merv Griffin Enterprises was a television production company founded by Merv Griffin in 1964. Columbia Pictures Television (CPT was the second name of the Columbia Pictures television division Screen Gems (SG The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Following the sale, Forbes named him the richest Hollywood performer in history. Forbes is an American Publishing and media company Its flagship publication Forbes magazine is published bi-weekly He retained the title of creator of both shows.

The two powerhouses spun off numerous programs, and Griffin often would sign on as a creative consultant. The spinoffs included Wheel 2000 and Jep!, both for children; Rock & Roll Jeopardy! for purveyors of pop music trivia; a teen-oriented game called Click! and in association with Wink Martindale, Headline Chasers. Wheel 2000 was a children's version of the American version of Wheel of Fortune. Jep! is a children's version of the quiz show Jeopardy! hosted by Bob Bergen. Rock & Roll Jeopardy! is a variant of the quiz show Jeopardy! which centered entirely around popular music To learn about the movie called Click click here. Click was an American television Game show based around Computers and the Winston Conrad "Wink" Martindale (born December 4, 1934, Jackson, Tennessee) is a Disc jockey and Television Headline Chasers is a syndicated game show that ran from September 9, 1985 - September 1986.

In 2007, Griffin's production company, Merv Griffin Entertainment, began pre-production on a new syndicated game show Merv Griffin's Crosswords (originally titled Let's Play Crosswords and Let's Do Crosswords). Merv Griffin's Crosswords is a syndicated Game show based on the paper-and-pencil pastime of Crosswords The show was created by its namesake The show taped in Los Angeles after initial reports that it would be produced at WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West WMAQ-TV, channel 5 is an owned-and-operated television station of the NBC Television Network, located in Chicago Illinois. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The show was produced in association with Program Partners and the William Morris Agency and began airing September 10, 2007. William Morris Agency, founded in 1898 as a Vaudeville booking broker is a Hollywood Talent agency that represents many well-known performers and Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. NBC-owned-and-operated stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas will carry the show, with many stations airing two episodes per day. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's WNBC Channel 4 is the flagship station of the NBC television network located in New York City. KNBC, channel 4 is an owned-and-operated television station of the NBC Television Network and the westcoast flagship station of NBC licensed to Los Angeles WMAQ-TV, channel 5 is an owned-and-operated television station of the NBC Television Network, located in Chicago Illinois. KNTV, Channel 11 is the NBC owned-and-operated Television station in the San Francisco Bay Area market KXAS-TV, Channel 5 is the NBC station for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Business ventures

Griffin ventured into real estate, purchasing the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Real estate is a legal term (in some jurisdictions notably in the USA, United Kingdom He also purchased Resorts Hotel and Casino, formerly Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel in Atlantic City from Donald Trump in 1988. The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel was a hotel in Atlantic City New Jersey. Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American Business magnate, Socialite, Television personality, and An active desert resident, he has been a supporter of the La Quinta Arts Festival and the owner of the Merv Griffin Givenchy Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, now The Parker. He owned a ranch near La Quinta, California where he raised thoroughbred racehorses, as well as St. The Thoroughbred is a horse breed This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. Clerans Manor, a boutique hotel, set in an eighteen century estate once owned by director John Huston, near Craughwell, County Galway Galway, Ireland. John Marcellus Huston ( August 5 1906 &ndash August 28 1987) was an American Film director and Actor. Galway (Gaillimh is the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland. In the 1980s, Griffin purchased Paradise Island in the Bahamas for US$400 million from Donald Trump, but he later sold it for just US$125 million. For the DC Comics fictional island formerly known as Paradise Island see Themyscira Paradise Island is an island The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an independent sovereign English -speaking country consisting of two thousand Cays and Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American Business magnate, Socialite, Television personality, and [9][10]

In March 2001, Griffin returned to singing with the release of the album It's Like a Dream.

Private life

Griffin kept many details of his personal and business life private. On being wealthy he said that "if people know you're rich they don't talk with you when you walk down the street. " He kept his wealth as an open secret amassing media outlets, hotels and casinos with a net worth widely estimated at more than a billion dollars. Griffin stated he didn't really know his worth because it “would keep me from sleeping at night. ”

He and former First Lady Nancy Reagan exchanged birthday greetings each July 6, for they shared the same birthday. First Lady of the United States is the unofficial title of the hostess of the White House. Nancy Davis Reagan (born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6 1921 is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and served as an influential Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Griffin was also an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of President Ronald Reagan in 2004. A pallbearer is one of several Funeral participants who helps carry the Casket of a deceased person from a religious or memorial service or The 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, died on June 5 2004 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for nearly a decade He was friends with the both the Reagans for many years. [11]

Sexual orientation

“ I tell everybody that I’m a quatre-sexual. I will do anything with anybody for a quarter. A quarter dollar is a coin worth 1/4 of a United States dollar, or 25 cents. ”

—Merv Griffin, The New York Times, May 26, 2005[12]

Two same-sex palimony and sexual harassment lawsuits in 1991 brought questions about Griffin's sexuality to a national level. Palimony is a Portmanteau of the words pal and Alimony. The Neologism was coined by celebrity divorce attorney Marvin In 1991, Griffin was hit with both a US$200 million palimony lawsuit by former "secretary/driver/horse-trainer/bodyguard" Brent Plott, and an US$11. Palimony is a Portmanteau of the words pal and Alimony. The Neologism was coined by celebrity divorce attorney Marvin 3 million sexual harassment lawsuit from Dance Fever host "Denny" Deney Terrio; both suits were ultimately dismissed with prejudice (the Plott claim after Griffin filed a countersuit). Dance Fever was a syndicated musical variety series in which three celebrities judged amateur dancers to hottest disco hits of the day Denny ("Deney" Terrio is a choreographer former film actor and one-time host of the television musical variety series Dance Fever from 1979 to 1985 Within legal civil procedure, prejudice refers to a loss or injury [13]

A 2006 article in Rolling Stone magazine by John Colapinto stated: "Merv does not refute the underlying implication in both cases: that he is gay. John Colapinto ( Toronto 1958 is an award-winning journalist author and novelist and is currently a staff writer at The New Yorker Nor does he admit to it. Instead, he mentions the high-profile relationship that he began with actress Eva Gabor at the time of his legal troubles. Eva Gabor ( February 11 1919 &ndash July 4 1995) was a Hungarian -born actress best known as Lisa Douglas, the They were photographed everywhere: Atlantic City, La Quinta, Hollywood premieres. Griffin says that they discussed marriage, and he parries any direct questions about his sexual orientation. You're asking an eighty-year-old man about his sexuality right now!, he cries. Get a life!". [9]

Griffin was outed immediately after his death in the tabloid media, and in the mainstream media by the Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter is a major trade publication of the Film industry in the United States. [14] While his homosexuality was an open secret in Hollywood, the article caused a minor scandal. An open secret is a concept or idea (often in but not necessarily limited to government and military circles that is "officially" secret or restricted in knowledge but Pressure from various sources resulted in its being pulled and republished in a less blunt tone, although its basic assertions remained unchanged. [15]

Illness and death

Griffin's prostate cancer, treated originally in 1996, returned and he was admitted to Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where his condition deteriorated leading to his death on August 12, 2007. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a Hospital located in Los Angeles California. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [16][17] Griffin is survived by his son, Tony, from Griffin's only marriage to Julann Wright during 1958 from 1976, and two grandchildren. [18]

Funeral services were held for Griffin in on 17 August 2007 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The well attended service included former First Lady, longtime friend Nancy Reagan, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver, fellow actors, television stars, and employees including Pat Sajak, Vanna White, Alex Trebek, Dick Van Dyke, Jack Klugman, Dick Van Patten, his Heads of Television Andrew Yani and Raymond J. Nancy Davis Reagan (born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6 1921 is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and served as an influential California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger ( German ˌaɐnɔlt aloʏs ˈʃvaɐtsənɛɡɐ born July 30 1947 is an Austrian American Bodybuilder, Actor Maria Owings Shriver ( born November 6 1955 is an award-winning American journalist a prolific author and First Lady of California. Pat Sajak (born Patrick Leonard Sajdak on October 26, 1946) is a Television personality, former weatherman and a former Talk Vanna White (born February 18 1957 is an American Television personality best known as puzzle-board presenter and co-host on the long-running Game show George Alexander "Alex" Trebek (born July 22 1940 is an Emmy Award -winning Canadian - American Richard Wayne “Dick” Van Dyke (born December 13, 1925) is an American Actor, Presenter and Entertainer, with a Jacob Joachim "Jack" Klugman (born April 27 1922 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American television and film actor known primarily for his roles in Sitcoms Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten (born December 9 1928) is an American Actor. Brune, and Griffin's son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Patricia (Trisha) Griffin. A post-burial reception was held at the Beverly Hilton, a property once owned by Griffin. UH Hilton Hoteljpg|thumbnail|right|The Hilton University of Houston in Houston Texas, located on the campus of the University of Houston, contains the Hilton College of [19] He was buried in a mausoleum at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. The Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles, California.

GSN honored Griffin by airing ten-episode marathons of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! during the weekend of August 18-19, 2007. The Wheel marathon included two episodes with cameos by Griffin–Pat Sajak's departure from the daytime version in 1989 and a 1992-93 episode that ended with Griffin, the MervTones, and Vanna White singing at a dinner club in Orlando, Florida. Pat Sajak (born Patrick Leonard Sajdak on October 26, 1946) is a Television personality, former weatherman and a former Talk Vanna White (born February 18 1957 is an American Television personality best known as puzzle-board presenter and co-host on the long-running Game show Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. The Jeopardy! marathon consisted of a rerun of the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters Tournament from 2002. The Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters tournament was a two-week Jeopardy! tournament televised in May 2002

Selected popular songs

References

  1. ^ a b c Cynthia Lowry. "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" is a novelty song composed in 1944 by Fred Heatherton, an English songwriter and celebrates Coconut shy (coconut toss "Merv Griffin: Question and Answer Man", Associated Press, Independent Star-News, March 29, 1964. The Associated Press ( AP) is an American News agency. The AP is a Cooperative owned by its contributing Newspapers radio The Pasadena Star-News is the local daily newspaper for Pasadena, California. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar.  
  2. ^ Spokeswoman: 'Jeopardy' inventor Merv Griffin dies at 82. Associated Press (2007-08-12). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Retrieved on 2007-08-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid
  3. ^ a b c d e Merv Griffin. The Notable Names Database. Soylent Communications. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian
  4. ^ All Movie Guide. Merv Griffin Filmography. Fandango. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid
  5. ^ Entertainment Legend Merv Griffin Dies At 82, from Billboard (magazine)
  6. ^ The Griffin Group; Wikipedia; IMDB. See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry TV Land Remembers Merv Griffin. TV Land. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian
  7. ^ Richard Natale. "Hollywood legend Merv Griffin dies", Variety, 12 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian  
  8. ^ Erik Pedersen. "'Visionary' H'wood host, tycoon Merv Griffin dies", The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian  
  9. ^ a b John Colapinto. "Dear Mister Fantasy", Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2007-07-19. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic.  
  10. ^ Gaming Hall of Fame Award. Fine Awards. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian
  11. ^ Gerhart, Ann. "A Widow's Heartfelt Farewell", The Washington Post, 11 June 2004. The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Retrieved on 2007-11-20. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs,  
  12. ^ In the Chatting Olympics, Look for Merv Griffin, a May 26, 2005 article from The New York Times
  13. ^ Questioning Merv’s Sexuality. Edge Boston (2007-08-12). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Retrieved on 2007-10-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 456 - Magister militum Ricimer defeats the Emperor Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the western
  14. ^ Richmond, Ray Merv Griffin died a closeted homosexual, Hollywood Reporter 16 August 2007
  15. ^ E&P Staff. "Reuters Drops Article About 'Gay' Merv Griffin", Editor and Publisher, 18 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian  
  16. ^ Merv Griffin in grave condition. The Desert Sun. The Desert Sun is a local daily newspaper serving Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley of Southern California. azcentral. com (9 August 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian
  17. ^ David Zurawik. "Merv Griffin dies at age 82", Baltimore Sun, 12 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid  
  18. ^ Kakie Urch; Bruce Fessier; Erica Solvig. "Remembering Merv Griffin, 1925-2007", The Desert Sun, 12 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian  
  19. ^ "Hundreds Pay Final Respects To Merv Griffin", KNBC Los Angeles, 17 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian  

External links

Persondata
NAME Griffin, Jr. YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees , Mervyn Edward
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION American singer and television game show producer
DATE OF BIRTH July 6, 1925
PLACE OF BIRTH San Mateo, California
DATE OF DEATH August 12, 2007
PLACE OF DEATH Los Angeles, California
Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. San Mateo ( "san muh-TAY-o") is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic