Chuck Woolery, the beloved game show host best known for his role as the original host of Wheel of Fortune, has passed away at the age of 83. His death was confirmed by his friend and podcast co-host, Mark Young, who shared the news on Sunday. Woolery died peacefully at his home in Texas, with his wife, Kristin, by his side. The cause of death has not been made public.
Young expressed his sadness, saying that Woolery was a dear friend and that life would not be the same without him.
Woolery hosted Wheel of Fortune from 1975 to 1981 before departing due to a contract dispute, with Pat Sajak taking over the role. Sajak, after decades of hosting, has now retired, and Ryan Seacrest has stepped in as his replacement.
When Pat Sajak took over as host of Wheel of Fortune in 1981, he reassured viewers with a lighthearted comment: “Please do not adjust your sets at home. Chuck Woolery has not shrunk,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to wander onto the set of a very successful program.”
Chuck Woolery continued his career in game show hosting by taking on the role of host for Love Connection from 1983 to 1994. The show, which focused on dating, was later revived with hosts Pat Bullard and Andy Cohen. In addition to Love Connection, Woolery also hosted several other game shows, including Scrabble, Greed, The Dating Game, and Lingo.
In addition to his work on game shows, Chuck Woolery hosted talk shows like The Chuck Woolery Show and Home & Family. He also pursued a career in music, performing with the band The Avant-Garde. Woolery made guest appearances as himself on several TV shows, including Scrubs, Sister, Sister, and Melrose Place.
Known for his outspoken conservative views, Woolery made headlines in 2020 when then-President Donald Trump retweeted a post from him. In the post, Woolery claimed that the CDC, media, Democrats, and doctors were lying about the COVID-19 pandemic to undermine Trump’s re-election chances.
Chuck Woolery later clarified his stance on COVID-19, stating, “COVID-19 is real and it is here. My son tested positive for the virus, and I feel for those suffering, especially those who have lost loved ones.”
In a 2017 interview, Woolery explained that he began supporting Donald Trump out of concern for the future of the Constitution and the fear of a “hypersocialist” path. In 2019, Woolery admitted that his open support for Trump and his public declaration of being a conservative had effectively “pretty much destroyed my career.”
He wrote, “It was painful at times, but it’s the truth. When everything is said and done, it was my choice, and I can live with it. I would do it all over again.”
Chuck Woolery is survived by his children: sons Michael and Sean, and daughter Melissa.
