If you grew up watching game shows during the 60's, 70's, and 80's, like I did, you became accustomed to one particularly steady presence.
Tom Kennedy (born James Narz) began as an announcer for Betty White's sitcom, Date With The Angels (brother Jack Narz had the same gig on White's previous series, Life With Elizabeth) and ex-Dragnet co-star Ben Alexander's lone game, About Faces, whose producer, Ralph Edwards, later signed Kennedy to host Name That Tune when that series was revived in the 70's.
Kennedy's resume also included Dr. IQ, Big Game, You Don't Say, Split Second, To Say The Least, Whew!, a night-time version of The Price is Right, and Password Plus, in which he succeeded Allen Ludden upon the latter's passing in 1981. Kennedy also tried his hand with a talk-variety show, The Real Tom Kennedy Show, which lasted 1 season around 1970-71 or so, and is lost to the mists of time.
Kennedy passed away at 93 on October 7. As of press time, the cause of death has not been determined. In his memory, we will serve up a choice episode of Name That Tune, from the period where Kathie Lee Johnson (later Gifford) was one of the show's singers.
Rest in peace.
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