Bill Cullen

Bill Cullen was born on February 18, 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA as William Lawrence Cullen.

At one point he had dropped out of South High School in Philadelphia, PA, during his senior year and raced professionally, but decided to come back, and graduated in 1938.

Met Carol Ames when she made a guest appearance on a radio show he announced. They were married in 1949, but divorced in 1955.

Was employed by Goodson-Todman Productions (later Mark Goodson Productions) from 1952-83.

Best remembered by the public as host of the original The Price Is Right (1956), Eye Guess (1966), Three on a Match (1971) and the original Blockbusters (1980).

At one point, he was going to replace Allen Funt as host of Candid Camera (1960), until a sponsor conflict ended those plans.

Guest-hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) while Johnny Carson took a vacation during his first year on the show.

Was employed at Bob Stewart Productions from 1966-80.

Filled in for Garry Moore on To Tell the Truth (1969), especially when Moore was suffering from throat cancer, late in 1976.

He was an actor, known for Three on a Match (1971), Blockbusters (1980) and Hot Potato (1984). He was married to Ann Cullen, Carol Ames and Ruth Elizabeth Harrington.

Was considered for the hosting of the revamped version of the long-running game show, The Price Is Right (1972). However, the physical demands of the job would have been too difficult for him given his physical condition at the time, and the job was given to Bob Barker.

Had substituted for an ailing Allen Ludden for four weeks on Password Plus (1979).

His favorite game show to date was Child's Play (1982).

Had worked with Charlie O'Donnell on two game shows (ironically for Barry & Enright): Hot Potato (1984) and The Joker's Wild (1972).

In 2004 The Bill Cullen Career Achievement Award was given to him posthumously at the Congress' Annual Meeting in Burbank, CA.