Biography
This page uses content from the Tom Kennedy biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.
Tom Kennedy (born James Narz February 26, 1927, in Louisville, Kentucky) is a television game show host who had his greatest fame in the 1960s and 1970s. He is the younger brother of game show host Jack Narz, and changed his name to avoid confusion prior to hosting his first national show, The Big Game, in 1958.
His biggest hit series were You Don't Say!, which aired on NBC from 1963 to 1969 and on ABC in 1975; Split Second, on ABC from 1972 to 1975; Name That Tune, which he hosted from 1974 to 1981; and Password Plus, which he hosted from 1980 to 1982 following the retirement of original host Allen Ludden due to illness. Other hosting credits include Doctor I.Q., Break the Bank, To Say the Least, Body Language, Split Second, 50 Grand Slam, Whew!, Wordplay and a syndicated nighttime version of The Price is Right in 1985.
He also briefly hosted a talk show in the late 1970s and appeared as a panelist on To Tell the Truth.
The most unique story about Tom Kennedy comes from a story he himself has related in interviews. On one of his shows (It's Your Bet), Burt Reynolds was a celebrity guest. During introductions, Tom asked Burt about his Cherokee heritage. Burt, as a gag, feigned getting extremely angry and near-violent because, he said, Kennedy's line of questioning was none of his business. Tom Kennedy said that Burt frightened him so much that he wet himself.
He hosted his last game show in 1987. Now retired, Kennedy recently appeared as a panelist on Hollywood Squares during "Game Show Week Part 2" in 2003. In 2005, he and his brother, Jack Narz, were co-recipients of the Game Show Congress' Bill Cullen Award for Lifetime Achievement.
See also
- List of famous Louisvillians
External links
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