Peter Marshall (entertainer)

Although Marshall occasionally worked in film and television, he could not find regular work in the industry until his friend Morey Amsterdam recommended him to fill in for Bert Parks (who emceed the pilot) as the host of the game show The Hollywood Squares in 1966. Though Marshall did not initially want the job, he took it in order to ensure that rival comic Dan Rowan would not get it.[1] Marshall's grudge stemmed back to when he and Noonan had written material for Rowan and Martin, but Rowan had shown virtually no respect to Noonan when Noonan fell terminally ill in the mid-1960s (as opposed to Dick Martin, who was fully supportive of Noonan's fight).[1] He expected to spend 13 weeks as host, then return to Broadway, but ultimately hosted for 15 years and more than 5,000 episodes.[11][12]

The show had a long run on daytime network TV and in syndication, making Marshall as familiar to viewers as the celebrities who appeared on the show. The easygoing and unflappable Marshall was a perfect foil for the wicked wit of such panelists as Amsterdam and his Dick Van Dyke Show castmate Rose Marie, Paul Lynde, Jan Murray, and Wally Cox. The Hollywood Squares was canceled by the NBC network in 1980,[13] but production continued in syndication into 1981.

After the completion of the final run of The Hollywood Squares in 1981, Marshall continued working in game shows and playing character roles. He appeared on the game shows Fantasy (1982) with cohost Leslie Uggams,[14] All-Star Blitz (1985),[5] Yahtzee (1988),[5] the "East Hollywood Squares" skit on In Living Color (1994),[15] and Reel to Reel (1998).[16]

In 1986, Marshall portrayed Bob Kenny, game show host accused of murder of a game show contestant on an episode "To Live and Die on TV" on Sledge Hammer!.[17]

In 1989, Marshall hosted the unaired pilot for 3rd Degree! (a Burt & Bert Production in association with Kline & Friends). When the series was picked up for syndication, show producer Bert Convy decided to leave his position as the host of the syndicated edition of Win, Lose or Draw and take Marshall's place on 3rd Degree without informing Marshall. Marshall filed a lawsuit against Convy for the action, but later dropped it after Convy's diagnosis of terminal brain cancer was made public.[18]

In 2002, he returned to the new version of The Hollywood Squares as a panelist during a Game Show Week hosted by Tom Bergeron. Marshall occupied the prestigious center square. For one day that week, Marshall took his old position at the podium to host while Bergeron was the center square.[5]

Marshall hosted a popular mid-day radio show for more than 15 years on the Music of Your Life radio network.

Marshall, along with co-host, singer Debby Boone, are featured in a successful infomercial presented by Time Life, the Music of Your Life Collection. Featuring hit songs from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the infomercial was re-released in 2016 after selling more than a million CDs a few years prior.[19]

In 1979, Marshall sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the Indianapolis 500.[20]

In 1979, he played Dr. Todd Gardner, author of a bestseller, on The Love Boat S2 E15 sketch "The 'Now' Marriage".

In 1982, he had a small role in the film adaptation of Annie as radio announcer Bert Healy.

In 2002, Marshall published a book about his experiences, Backstage With The Original Hollywood Square.[21]

In 2009, he appeared on television promoting compact disc hits from the Big Band era, and also hosted a two-hour PBS special, The Big Band Years. In 2010, Marshall, along with Monty Hall and Wink Martindale, appeared with their wives on a special Game Show Legend version of The Newlywed Game. The special was hosted by Bob Eubanks; the Martindales won the game.[22]

In 2012, Marshall hosted an entertainment-filled memorial service in Branson, Missouri, for singer Andy Williams.[23]

In 2014, Marshall returned to West Virginia to host four games of The West Virginia Squares as part of Charleston's FestivALL. The game, which featured questions about the state's history, included West Virginia notables such as Joyce Dewitt and Landon Murphy.[24][25]

In 2017, he narrated the Rose Marie documentary film Wait for Your Laugh.[26]

Marshall retired from the entertainment industry in 2021, following a bout with COVID-19.[1]

Marshall's Broadway credits include Skyscraper,[27] La Cage aux Folles[28] and The Music Man.

In London's 1962 West End production, Marshall appeared in the stage musical Bye Bye Birdie,[29] a satire on American popular culture in the 1950s inspired by singer Elvis Presley receiving a draft notice into the Army. Marshall played the lead character of Albert Peterson, who writes a song for the pop-singing sensation Conrad Birdie (played by Marty Wilde), opposite Chita Rivera.[30] The production ran for 268 performances.[31]