Chuck Woolery, the charming and smooth-talking game show host, passed away at 83. Known for his roles on Wheel of Fortune, Love Connection, and Scrabble, Woolery’s death was confirmed by his podcast co-host, Mark Young, who shared that Woolery passed away at his home in Texas, with his wife Kristen by his side.
Young remembered Woolery as a dear friend, a man of faith, and someone whose absence would leave a significant void.
Woolery’s career as a game show host spanned several decades, and he became a household name for his wit and affable presence. He began his iconic run as the host of Love Connection in 1983, where he coined the famous “2 and 2” catchphrase, “We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds.”
The show, which featured singles looking for dates, ran for 11 successful years, making Woolery a key figure in TV entertainment. He also hosted Scrabble from 1984 to 1990, managing to juggle two game shows simultaneously for a time.
Aside from Love Connection and Scrabble, Woolery hosted several other shows including Lingo, Greed, and The Chuck Woolery Show. He also made appearances in scripted TV, playing himself on Melrose Place and fronting a short-lived revival of The Dating Game in the late ’90s.
In 2003, he appeared in a reality show titled Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned, a nod to his days with the psychedelic rock band The Avant-Garde. The show, although not critically acclaimed, added another layer to his extensive TV career.
Chuck Woolery
Before his fame as a game show host, Woolery had a career in music. In the late 1960s, he formed the psychedelic rock duo The Avant-Garde, which had a hit with “Naturally Stoned.” Woolery then transitioned to a solo career, releasing several singles, and later shifted towards country music. He also wrote songs for a variety of artists, including Tammy Wynette, showcasing his versatility as a musician.
Woolery’s career in television began in the mid-1970s when he became the first host of Wheel of Fortune, which debuted in 1975. Though the show initially struggled, it was reworked and became a massive hit. Woolery’s tenure on Wheel of Fortune was short-lived, however, due to a salary dispute. He left the show after demanding a raise and was replaced by Pat Sajak, who would go on to host the show for decades.
In his later years, Woolery became known for his outspoken conservative views, especially during the presidency of Donald Trump. He co-hosted the podcast Blunt Force Truth and frequently shared controversial political opinions, including conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic.
He initially accused medical professionals and Democrats of lying about the virus, though he later walked back some of his comments after his son contracted COVID-19. Woolery is survived by his wife Kristen, his children, and the indelible mark he left on American television.
