Bob Barker, Longtime Animal Advocate & Iconic Host of "The Price Is Right", Dies At Age 99
Andrea Powell
Bob Barker, the iconic host of "The Price is Right", ended every show with the same message – "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."
For 35 years, he greeted contestants with his infectious smile and witty sense of humor. Over his career (1972-2007) on the longest-running game show, he won 19 Daytime Emmy Awards and acquired millions of fans.
He used his success onstage to help advocate for animals. He convinced the show to stop giving away fur coats due to animal cruelty, which his wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, opened his eyes to.
"She was ahead of her time. She really was. She stopped wearing fur coats before anyone was stopping. She became a vegetarian before people were becoming vegetarian. And I gradually did the same thing with her," he told ABC News.
In 1995, he started the DJ&T Foundation named after his wife and mother (Tilly) who both loved animals. The foundation provides grants to low-cost spay/neuter clinics and voucher programs as a way to relieve canine overpopulation, according to Society for Nonprofits.
PETA president Ingrid Newkirk shared all the ways he helped animals over his long life.
"Bob’s heart was open and so was his wallet. He said he was thrilled to spend $700,000 to pay to ship elephants Toka, Thika and Iringa from their cramped enclosure at the Toronto Zoo to the large green expanse of the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary in California. Bob was at the sanctuary to greet the girls when they arrived.
Bob gave $2 million to Missouri’s Drury University for the school to add an animal rights professorship and an animal ethics course to the curriculum. He purchased human-patient simulators to replace cats in medical exercises at Washington University in St. Louis (and offered to find homes for the cats, too!)."
He also urged his fans to avoid SeaWorld, took a stand to protect animals used in films, and much more.
His publicist, Roger Neal, announced the sad news of his passing in a statement, "It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World's Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us." Barker passed away at the age of 99 from natural causes in his Hollywood Hills home on August 26.
PETA issued a statement honoring Barker and all his contributions to animals. "We are eternally grateful for the impact Bob Barker had for animals. While most knew him from ‘The Price Is Right,’ he worked to end exploitation of animals for food, entertainment, clothing,—& as a Navy veteran— the use of animals in military experiments. He leaves behind a long legacy of compassion for animals—may he rest in peace ❤️".
Drew Carey, the new host of "The Price is Right", paid tribute to Barker on X (formerly Twitter). He posted a photo of the two on set and wrote, "Very sad day for the Price Is Right family, and animal lovers all over the world. There hasn’t been a day on set that I didn’t think of Bob Barker and thank him. I will carry his memory in my heart forever. #RIPBobBarker We love you ❤️".
— ʎǝɹɐƆ ʍǝɹᗡ (@DrewFromTV) August 26, 2023
"The Price is Right" made a post on Facebook about the iconic host. "We lost a beloved member of the CBS family today with the passing of Bob Barker. During his 35 years as host of The Price is Right, Bob made countless people’s dreams come true and everyone feel like a winner when they were called to ‘come on down.’ In addition to his legendary 50-year career in broadcasting, Bob will be remembered as a dedicated animal rights activist. Daytime television has lost one of its most iconic stars."
Bob Barker also played himself in the movie "Happy Gilmore," where his character got into a fight with Adam Sandler's character. Sandler took a moment to remember his beloved co-star and friend on X.
The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us! pic.twitter.com/hhZvYAQUK3
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) August 26, 2023
He posted, "The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us!"
He will never be forgotten.
