Chuck Woolery, 'Wheel of Fortune' & 'Love Connection' Host, Dies at 83

Chuck Woolerywho was the first host of Wheel of Fortune and had an 11-year run hosting the popular dating show Love Communicationhe is dead. He was 83 years old.

Mark YoungA friend of Woolery's who also hosted the “Blunt Force Truth” podcast, said in an email to the AP on Sunday, November 24, that Woolery died at his home in Texas. His wife, Kristen, was with him.

“Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a man of great faith, life will not be the same without him,” Young told the outlet. He also posted on X, “It is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother @chuckwoolery has just passed away. Life will not be the same without him. RIP brother,” along with several photos of him and Woolery together.

According to a report from TMZ, Young said he was at Woolery's house in Texas when Woolery said he wasn't feeling well, and then went to bed. After a while, he came back and complained that he was having trouble breathing. Young said 911 was called, but Woolery was unsuccessful.

A Kentucky native who served in the U.S. Navy, Woolery originally set his sights on becoming a musician: He formed the psychedelic rock group The Avant Garde in 1967, which released the Top 40 hit, “Naturally Stoned.” When the duo broke up, he released a few solo songs and moved to country music, where he wrote not only his own songs but also stars like. Tammy Wynette.

Woolery was the first host of the Wheel of Fortunewhere he began his TV career in 1975 and stayed for several years before a salary dispute led to his dismissal. Pat Sajak. In 1983, he became the host of what would become his signature show, Love Communicationa leading dating show that paired a single man or woman with three potential suitors, who would share the details of their dates with the audience.

Related: 'The Price Is Right' Host Bob Barker Dies at 99

A TV legend is lost. Bob Barker died on Saturday, August 26, at the age of 99. His publicist, Roger Neal, confirmed the news to Us Weekly, noting that Barker died of natural causes at his home. “It is with great sadness that we announce that the Greatest MC That Ever Lived, Bob Barker, has left us,” Neal said. […]

In 1984, he held a joint Scrabble. In 1991, he hosted a short-lived talk show, The Chuck Woolery Show. At the end of the Love Communication in 1994, hosted the revival of The Dating Game. Later he became a host Greed again Language and appeared in other shows, including playing himself in two episodes of This is Melrose's place.

Woolery was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and was nominated for a daytime Emmy in 1978.