elevision personality and host Chuck Woolery will be remembered as a beloved figure in the world of game shows. Woolery, who was the first host of Wheel of Fortune, passed away at the age of 83 following an illness. His long-time friend Mark Young confirmed the news on X, stating, “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.” Reports from TMZ indicate that Woolery had mentioned feeling unwell and chose to rest. He later returned to express that he was having trouble breathing. Young noted that 911 was called, but sadly, Woolery did not survive. In addition to Wheel of Fortune, Woolery hosted other prominent game shows, including Love Connection and Lingo. In his later years, he hosted the podcast Blunt Force Truth, a well-known right-wing podcast where he shared his conservative views. Born on March 16, 1941, in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery initially pursued a music career, forming the band The Avant-Garde with Elkin “Bubba” Fowler in 1967, with their song Naturally Stoned contributing to their success.
Woolery was married four times and was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007. He will be remembered for the joy he brought to millions. May he rest in peace.
