Here is the biography of Merv Griffin:
Merv Griffin was a multifaceted individual who excelled in various fields, including music, film, television, and business. Born in San Mateo, California, he began his career as a singer and band leader, performing in local radio stations and touring with the Freddy Martin Orchestra.
Griffin's breakthrough came in 1950 with the hit song "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts," which reached number one on the Hit Parade and sold three million copies. He continued to record hits, including "Wilhelmina" and "Never Been Kissed," and made his film debut in the 1950s, appearing in movies such as "So This Is Love" and "The Boy from Oklahoma."
Griffin's television career began in the 1950s, with appearances on shows like "The Arthur Murray Party" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar." He later hosted his own daytime talk show, "The Merv Griffin Show," from 1962 to 1986, which became one of the most popular talk shows in television history.
In addition to his talk show, Griffin is best known for creating two of the most popular game shows in television syndication history: "Wheel of Fortune" (1983) and "Jeopardy!" (1984). He was the chairman of the Griffin Group, a business venture that produced numerous game shows, including "One in a Million" and "Joe Garagiola's Memory Game."
Griffin was also a real estate baron, owning several properties, including the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas, and St. Clerans Manor in Ireland. He was a philanthropist and supported various charitable organizations, including Childhelp USA.
Throughout his career, Griffin received numerous awards and accolades, including 15 Emmy Awards, the Broadcasting and Cable "Hall of Fame" Award, and the Scopus Award from the American Friends of Hebrew University. He was also a recipient of the coveted Golden Globe Award and the American Ireland Fund Award.
Griffin passed away on August 12, 2007, at the age of 82, due to complications from prostate cancer. His legacy continues to be celebrated through his iconic game shows, which remain popular to this day.
