Richard DawsonSad news today as word comes that actor and game show host, Richard Dawson, has passed away at the age of 79. His son posted a message on Facebook stating that he died from "complications due esophageal cancer."

While Dawson's acting and hosting credits included a wide range of television shows including Hogan's Heroes and The Match Game, he was best known as the host of The Family Feud. After the famous intro, "On your mark, get set. Let's play The Family Feud," Dawson then kissed and charmed his way into each family's heart that appeared on the show.

Dawson actually met his wife, Gretchen Johnson, when she was a contestant on The Family Feud. They had one daughter together, and he also had two sons from a previous marriage to Diana Dors.

Though he earned the nickname "The Kissing Bandit," for kissing all the ladies on the show, he famously gave up the habit after marrying Johnson in 1991 and was a devoted husband until the time of his death. Here he is talking about all of that smooching.

My brother and I watched The Family Feud for years, always dreaming about how we'd act and how we'd dominate when it was our turn to appear on the show. The closest we ever made it was a board game of the show we got one Christmas and played endlessly at home, but wow did Dawson entertain us for years.

Here's one of my all-time favorite moments from the show that really highlights why he was just so fun to watch week after week. In it Dawson just can't stop laughing after a woman gives one of the funniest answers ever. When he asks, "During what month of pregnancy does a woman begin to look pregnant?" she answers, "September," and he just loses it. Watch:

R.I.P., Richard.

What do you remember most about Richard Dawson?

 

Image via YouTube