Barker’s representative Roger Neal told CBS News on Saturday. Barker hosted “The Price Is Right” for 35 years.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us,” Barker’s publicist Roger Neal said in a statement obtained by Variety.
His cause of death is not immediately clear but he reportedly died at his house in Los Angeles, according to The Associated Press. He died Saturday morning.
He was born Robert William Barker on Dec. 23, 1923, in Darrington, Washington, according to The Washington Post. His father was a foreman on a power-line project until he died from a work-related fall in 1929. Barker was then raised by his mother on an Indian reservation in Mission, South Dakota. His mother married a tire salesman and they moved to Springfield, Missouri.
Barker met Dorothy Jo Gideon there and they were married for 36 years until she died in 1981, the Post reported.
Barker was working in radio in 1956 when a producer named Ralph Edwards got him to audition for a new show called “Truth of Consequences,” according to the AP. If you got the answer wrong, you got the “consequence” which was a wacky stunt. If you got it correct, you got the “truth” which was a punchline to a joke or riddle. He stayed with the show for 18 years.
“The Price is Right” debuted in 1957 with Bill Cullen on NBC and Barker took over in 1972, according to the Post.
Barker remained as host until he retired in June 2007, according to the AP. He left the studio audience saying, “I thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me into your home for more than 50 years.” He was succeeded by Drew Carey, the Post reported.
He taped 5,000 episodes of “The Price Is Right” over his career, according to the AP.
He spent 20 years or so as a host of the Miss USA Pageant and the Miss Universe Pageant. According to the AP, he quit the Miss USA Pageant in 1987 in protest over fur coats give to the winners. Barker was a huge animal rights activist.
Barker won 19 Emmys, according to Variety. 14 of those for gameshow host which was more than any other performer. He also won four as producer of “The Price is Right” and got a lifetime achievement Emmy for Daytime Television in 1999.
Barker also made a memorable cameo in the 1996 movie, “Happy Gilmore” that starred Adam Sandler, the AP reported. “I did `The Price Is Right’ for 35 years, and they’re asking me how it was to beat up Adam Sandler,” Barker later joked.
Barker is survived by his half-brother Kent Valandra, his half-nephews Robert Valandra and Chip Valandra and his half-niece, Vickie Valandra Kelly, according to People Magazine.
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Bob Barker through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 6: Television host Bob Barker presents to the audience during his last taping of "The Price is Right" show held at the CBS television city studios on June 6, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images) (Mark Davis/Getty Images)
Bob Barker through the years LOS ANGELES- JUNE 12: TV game show host Bob Barker attends the unveiling of a mural done in his honor at CBS Television City June 12, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The unveiling of the 12x16 foot mural marks the launch of the 32nd season of "The Price Is Right." (Photo by J. Emilio Flores/getty images)
Bob Barker through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 08: Bob Barker attends a fundraiser benefiting Mercy For Animals at Private Residence on June 8, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Mercy for Animals) (Araya Doheny)
Bob Barker through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: TV host Bob Barker attends The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce & The Hollywood Sign Trust's 90th Celebration of the Hollywood Sign at Drai's Hollywood on September 19, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Bob Barker through the years PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 18: Host/executive producer Bob Barker of "The Price Is Right" speaks at his Farewell Press Conference during the 2007 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour for CBS at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on January 18, 2007 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Bob Barker through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Television personality Bob Barker (L) and actress Pamela Anderson unveil the Vegetarian Icons Postage Sheet at Hollywood Post Office on November 29, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Bob Barker through the years LOS ANGELES - APRIL 17: Host Bob Barker speaks during the tapeing of a final primetime special of "The Price Is Right" at CBS Television City on April 17, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Bob Barker through the years NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Bob Barker attends his book signing of "Priceless Memories" at Borders Books, Park Avenue on April 9, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Bob Barker through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: (L to R) A contestant and host Bob Barker during "The Price Is Right" million dollar spectacular celebrating host Bob Barker's induction into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Hall of Fame at the CBS Television Network on April 19, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. Host Bob Barker will be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this spring. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images). *** Local Caption *** Contestant;Bob Barker (Frederick M. Brown)
Bob Barker through the years LOS ANGELES - JULY 8: The former host of the Price is Right, Bob Barker is inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza July 8, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. A bust of Barker, created by sculptor Angie Whitson, was unveiled at the ceremony. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images) (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Bob Barker through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Bob Barker taste the cake to celebrate his 80th birthday party during a special daytime edition of "The Price Is Right" on November 20, 2003 at the CBS Studios in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) (Doug Benc/Getty Images)
