Household Feud is one of the few recreation reveals that come near beating giants of the style like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. The present’s attract comes from its family-centric nature involving households of 5 competing towards each other for the grand prize of $20,000.
Since its debut, Household Feud has had its justifiable share of hosts, some extra beloved than others. One former host, nonetheless, met a tragic loss of life. Right here is the unhappy life and loss of life of former Household Feud host Ray Combs.
Ray Combs was identified for his sing-alongs
Combs’ profession began at Cincinnati’s Purple Canine Saloon, the place he perfected his artwork of sing-alongs of fashionable sitcom theme songs. In 1982, Combs left his job as a furnishings salesman and moved to Los Angeles to compete towards 200 folks.
He began doing warm-ups for hit reveals like Amen and The Golden Ladies. Quickly his shtick turned so fashionable that numerous reveals modified their schedules in order that Combs may seem and heat up the audiences. In 1986, discuss present host Johnny Carson heard the viewers’s laughter and invited Combs to carry out on the Tonight Present.
In 1985, he landed his first performing job on The Info of Life in a background function. He additionally guest-starred in The Golden Ladies and appeared in Hollywood Squares as a celeb panelist in 1987. In 1989, Combs’ star rose even additional when he was supplied a seven-year contract for a rebooted model of Household Feud.
The present debuted on July 4, 1988, and Combs toured extensively to advertise the brand new model of the beloved discuss present. In 1992, CBS expanded Household Feud from a 30-minute working time to an hour and added a number of segments, together with the ‘Bullseye’ spherical.
Rankings decline noticed the downfall of the present and Combs
Though issues appeared to be on an upward trajectory for Combs, scores for Household Feud began plummeting halfway by way of the present’s 1992 -1993 season. The scores decline pressured CBS to cancel the daytime present in 1993, and the ultimate episode aired on March 26.
Showrunner Mark Goodson determined to rent the present’s unique host Richard Dawson as Combs’ alternative hoping to make use of Dawson’s recognition and fame to spice up the present’s scores. The transfer proved useful however just for a time, and the present bought canceled once more in 1995. Combs didn’t take the dismissal kindly and was damage by the alternative from his present.
He, nonetheless, tried his hand at different ventures, resembling serving as visitor commentators for the World Wrestling Federation and the Survivor Collection. He additionally appeared in celeb editions of Household Feud and landed roles in 227 and In Dwelling Coloration. Combs shot a pilot for a chat present, however networks refused to choose it up. He was then supplied a internet hosting job for a Household Feud rival recreation present known as Household Problem, however that too didn’t work out.
Combs had a wholesome wage throughout his time on Household Feud, however poor monetary administration noticed him at all times falling quick on money. After his firing from Household Feud, his two comedy golf equipment needed to shut, and his home went into foreclosures on account of his incapability to pay his mortgage.
How did Ray Combs die?
After his dismissal on Household Feud, issues appeared to go awry for Combs as he then bought concerned in a extreme automotive crash that left one of the discs in his backbone shattered. The harm noticed the star getting paralyzed, and though he finally walked once more, he was in fixed ache.
The stress of all of it started taking a toll on Combs’ marriage, and his spouse of 18 years filed for divorce in 1995. In June 1996, police went to his residence in Glendale and discovered the star repeatedly banging his head towards the wall. His spouse knowledgeable regulation enforcement that he had tried to take his personal life utilizing prescription medication earlier than.
He was taken into protecting custody and dedicated for a psychiatric analysis. Nevertheless, the subsequent day, the police discovered Combs useless, having died by suicide. The star died at 40 years previous.
Easy methods to get assist: Within the U.S., name the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or textual content HOME to 741-741 to talk with a skilled disaster counselor on the free Crisis Text Line.
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