Bob Barker got his claim to fame after hosting The Price Is Right for what seems like 200 years, but there’s way more to the award winning host than most people know! Here are some of the most interesting and impressive facts about 96-year-old Bob Barker.
He’s Got Native American Heritage
Barker’s family tree shows that he is actually one-eighth Sioux. Culturally, his Native American roots are much more ingrained in his life as he grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota where his mother was a teacher.
Quitting Miss Universe
Barker hosted the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants for 20 years, which makes him the longest-running host. Barker was not supportive of the producers’ choice to feature real animal fur in the swimsuit competition of 1987 and decided to leave both shows in protest.
Former Navy Pilot
Barker enrolled in college in 1943. At the same time, he was interested in helping out overseas during WWII. He left college to join the Navy and train with the United States Naval Reserve. He became a fighter pilot.
Handling a Bad Wardrobe Malfunction
During one episode of The Price is Right, a contestant ended up having an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. Barker handled it with ease and did his best not to inflict any more embarrassment on the poor woman!
Women Only — But Not Why You Think
On The Price Is Right, Barker had models on stage with him who everyone called Barkers Beauties. When someone suggested adding some male models to even it out, Barker responded, “That’s a terrible idea. I don’t want some young guy back here attracting all the attention. I want people looking at me.â€
The MY Bob Barker
Barker always used his mass wealth to stop animal cruelty. He made a $5 million donation towards a boat that was named after him. The MY Bob Barker ended up getting rammed by a Japanese whaling ship.
Happy Gilmore
One of Barkers most successful and still talked about cameos was his role as himself in Happy Gillmore. Who knew that Barker and Adam Sandler would have such interesting on-screen chemistry?
Goodbye, Retirement
Barker officially retired from The Price Is Right in 2007 when he was 83. Since then, he’s come back quite a few times! In 2009, he went back on to do a little self-promotion for his new autobiography. In 2013, he went back for . a big celebration for his 90th birthday. On April Fools Day in 2015, he went onto the show pretending to have taken over the reins again.
Freeing the Elephants
It’s very well known that Barker is a huge animal rights advocate. He spent $1 million on freeing three African elephants at the Toronto Zoo.
Economics Degree
After his time in the Navy, he returned to Drury College to finish his Economics degree. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and has been dropping huge donations back to the college ever since
Black Belt
Barker trained with Chuck Norris and became a black belt in Karate and a red belt in Tang Soo Do.
Model Controversy
In 1995, long-time model Holly Hallstorm was allegedly fired from the show for gaining weight after taking a new medication. The fight was long and brutal between her, Barker, and the producers. She spent all of her money and was living in her car by the end of it, but eventually got millions in the settlement.
Barker vs Dentist
When Walter Palmer hunted and killed Cecil, a lion in the Hwang National Park in Zimbabwe, he faced outrage from all over the world. Barker was noted saying, “I think that whatever misery befalls him, he deserves it,†saying that he’d, “go for,†a bounty on the dentists head. Barker also said he wanted to see the dentist “extradited and in an African jail for a long time.â€
Drew Carey
Barker got a little too honest after he was asked how Drew Carey was doing on the show. Barker said that Drew, “does the show differently … I try to make the show really exciting. He doesn’t do that … he just plays the games.” Barker ended up apologizing, saying he meant no offense, and that Drew is, “charming and complimentary.”
Another Model Controversy
It seems like The Price Is Right wasn’t interested in their models welfare… In 2006, model Shane Stirling announced that she was pregnant. She was, “forced into an early pregnancy leave, was not allowed to return to work for almost a year after her child’s birth, and was fired abruptly.†Barker allegedly said that she should not work while pregnant because it was a “liability†and told her to “go home and take care of your baby.â€
Miscarriage Controversy
Unsurprisingly, another model was so worried about her pregnancy and being fired that her stress caused her to miscarry.
Getting Rid of Him
Apparently, a lot of people wanted Barker dead. He had made a lot of enemies with the whaling community and animal testers. That’s why his housekeeper freaked out when a suspicious package entered his home… The bomb squad came by to open it and, turns out, it was just medication they’d forgotten about.
Slip and Fall
Bob was out walking when he had a horrible split and fall that ended up knocking him out. Someone found him on the side of the road, and the LAPD ended up saving him from bleeding out.
Death Hoax
There have been many death hoaxes for Bob Barker. Every now and then, someone likes to spread that he passed away. He is very much alive!
Skin Cancer
As a kid growing up on a reservation, he was in the sun constantly. Then, to keep up appearances, he tried to stay tan all year round. Unfortunately, that exposed him to some harsh skin cancers that he’s had to get removed.
Keeping Up Traditions
Bob met with the creator of Truth or Consequences Ralph Edwards every year for 60 years until Edwards’ death in 2005.
Bob Barker Studio
American Idol, Deal Or No Deal, and The Late Late Show With James Corden are all filmed in Television City. Stage 33, where The Price Is Right is filmed, was renamed the Bob Barker Studio after the 5000th episode.
World Record Holder
Bob Barker was listed as the “Most Durable Performer” after completing 3,524 shows. Then, he was listed as “Most Generous Host in Television History” after award $200 million to guests.
Animal Lover
Barker readily admits that he’d rather be kissed by dogs than humans. “I became a vegetarian … out of concern for animals. But I immediately began having more energy and feeling better.”
Dogs > Awards
Any time he wins an award, he always says its not as important as owning a dog.
Going Gray
Barker decided to go gray after years of dying his hair. He had to get approval first since gray hair wasn’t “desirable”. Obviously, it didn’t effect the ratings at all.
More Scandals With Models
Dian Parkinson allegedly left the show to pursue other interests, but then said that she was uncomfortable with Barkers advances towards her. Barker claims she was bitter about the end of their relationship. She dropped the case.
Basketball Scholarship
He was given a basketball scholarship when he attended Drury College after the Navy.
Catchphrase
After every episode, Barker would sign off on a note of pet overpopulation: “Help control the pet population; have your pets spayed or neutered.”
Another Slip and Fall
Naturally, people assumed he died after this fall in 2015. Instead, this wasn’t that bad and he had his housekeeper drive him to the hospital. He was fine after getting some stitches.
Net Worth
He’s got a huge net worth of over $70 million. He’s donated millions of dollars to copious amounts of animal rights groups.
Always Wanted To Be In Broadcasting
After he graduated with an economics degree, he moved to California to pursue his broadcasting dream.
Early Job
He first worked as a news editor and announcer at a local radio station. He ended up getting his own radio show due to his popularity.
Wife
Barker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon. They got married on January 12th, 1945 and were married until her death in 1981.
Single Life
After Dorothy’s death, Barker never remarried. The only other relationship he had was with Dian, and we all know that didn’t end well. After everything, he never ended up having kids.
Daytime Emmy Award Winner
Throughout his life, he’s won 19 Daytime Emmy Awards. That’s a ton!
Cameos
Outside of Happy Gillmore, he’s also starred in Family Guy, Futurama, and The Bold and The Beautiful.
Pillsbury Bake Off
From 1969 – 1985, Barker hosted the Pillsbury Bake Off as one of his hosting feats. He didn’t get that world record for nothing!
Tournament of Roses Parade
Barker also emcee’d the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day from 1969 – 1989.
DJ&T Foundation
In 1995, Barker founded the DJ&T Foundation. It aided in helping fund low-cost pet neutering. He named the foundation after his late wife, Dorothy Jo and his mother, nicknamed Tilly.
MTV Movie Award
In 1996, he won the MTV Movie Award for “best fight scene” because of his role in Happy Gillmore. Who would have that this role would have garnered so much attention for him?
Lifetime Achievement
After all of those Daytime Emmy wins, he still had one more! In 1999, he finally won the Lifetime Achievement award.
Health Fails
In 2002, his health began to decline. He had a stroke and also had to undergo prostate surgery. Luckily, he came out on the other side soon after.
Record Breaker!
In 2002, he broke Johnny Carsons record for continuous performances on the same TV show. April 26th, 2002, marked 299 years, seven months, and 22 days on TV.
Hall of Famer
Although Barker was athletically gifted, he actually got inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
And Another!
Just three years later, he was inducted to the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Animal Ethics at Drury
In 2008, Barker donated $1 million to Drury College so that they could use some of the money to fund an animal ethics undergraduate course.
Loving Pets
Barker currently has a dog named Fredrico and a cat named Dulce. Of course, they’re both spayed and neutered.
20 Years Strong
Barker has been a vegetarian for over 30 years. He and his wife went vegetarian two years before he death.
Bob Barker Building
He donated millions of dollars to PETA so that they could open up an LA office in Echo Park. They named it after him.
Old-School Vegetarian
He was one of the first major stars to be frank about his vegetarian and didn’t hide from it. In fact, when he first made his vegetarianism known, he became known for being one of the only celebs to declare such a thing.
Anti Seaworld
Unshockingly enough, and rightly so, Barker is not a fan of Sea World. He’s demanded the release of an orca named Lolita and advised his fans to stay away from any sort of aquarium who abuses their animals for show.
No More Military Medical Drills
Being a Navy vet, he knows first-hand how the military treats animals. He’s been a huge advocate for abandoning the medical drill practices on live animals. The Coast Guard has stopped it and other branches are soon phasing it out.
Inappropriate Jokes
Barker was known for making racist, sexist, and anti-semitic jokes. A model sued him for the hostile work environment but eventually dropped the case.
Bonanza
Barker had a role in the popular show Bonanza. He had a quick guest role where he was in charge with throwing a party!
He’s A Sagittarius
Just in case you wanted to know. He’ll be turning 95 years old this December.
His Dad
His parents were both working class. His father, Byron, was a utility worker.
His Mom
His mother, Matilda, was a teacher on the reservation that they lived on.
Mr. Rabbit
Barker has a rabbit who is 10 years old! That’s pretty rare for one.
Fitness Freak
Bob is known for being a fitness mogul, if that even exists. He’s constantly keeping active and refuses to be held back!