Beloved TV Host Chuck Woolery Dies at 83

Chuck Woolery, the longtime game show icon and original host of Wheel of Fortune, has died at age 83.

The news was confirmed by Woolery’s close friend and podcast co-host, Mark Young, who spoke with TMZ. Young said he was with Woolery at his home in Texas when the legendary host said he wasn’t feeling well and decided to lie down. Not long after, Woolery came back struggling to breathe. Paramedics were called, but tragically, he passed away before help arrived.

Born on March 16, 1941, in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery became a household name thanks to his work in television, but his career actually began in music. He was part of the pop duo The Avant-Garde, best known for their 1968 hit “Naturally Stoned.” He later launched a solo career in country music before moving into television.

Woolery’s charm and steady presence made him a beloved figure on game shows throughout the decades, from Wheel of Fortune to Love Connection and beyond. His death marks the end of an era for many fans who grew up watching him.