Guide Note

Merv Griffin was an American singer, entertainer, television personality, producer, entrepreneur and entertainment industry magnate.

Fast Facts

Given Name: Mervyn Edward Griffin, Jr.
Born: July 6, 1925
Birthplace: San Mateo, California
Died: August 12, 2007
Father: Mervyn Griffin Sr.
Mother: Rita Robinson
Spouse: Julann Wright (1958) - 1976)
Children: Anthony Patrick Griffin
Education: San Mateo High School
Selected Awards: 5 Daytime Emmy Awards
Discovered by: Doris Day
Started his career as a singer on radio
Created: Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune

Talk Show Host Turned Empire Builder

Merv Griffin, who got his start as a nightclub singer and went on to host several game shows during the 1960s, turned a chance interview of The Tonight Show host Jack Parr into a recurring stint as guest host of that program. This in turn led to hosting his own afternoon talk show, The Merv Griffin Show, for 21 years. After the end of that run, Griffin, who had previously created Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, focused on producing other games shows and purchasing resort real estate. At the time of his death in 2007, he was the wealthiest entertainer in history.

Categories

Entertainment | Models and Personalities | Talk Show Hosts | Studio Executives | Actors

View Note History

Merv Griffin

The Mahalo Top 7

Official Site: The Griffin Group
IMDb: Merv Griffin overview
Wikipedia: Merv Griffin
Museum of Broadcast Communications: Merv Griffin profile
USA Today: "Merv Griffin Dies" (August 12, 2007)
Amazon.com: The Merv Griffin Show on DVD
Video: Freddy Martin Show: Merv Griffin sings "Lovely Batch of Coconuts" (Time: 2:51)

Merv Griffin News and Articles

Google News: Merv Griffin
MSNBC: Merv Griffin Dies at 82 (August 12, 2007)
Broadcasting and Cable: Griffin, Program Partners To Solve Crosswords on NBC O&O's (February 20, 2007)

Merv Griffin Biographies and Profiles

Official Site: About Merv and Career Timeline
Esquire.com: "What I've Learned: Merv Griffin" (2006)
Rolling Stone: "Dear Mister Fantasy" (2006)
CBS News: Merv Griffin's Good Life (2003)
IMDb: Merv Griffin biography
National Thoroughbred Racing Association: Merv Griffin profile

The Merv Griffin Show

Wikipedia: The Merv Griffin Show
IMDb: The Merv Griffin Show
TV.com: Merv Griffin Show episode guides
YouTube: Whitney Houston's Debut on Merv Griffin, 1983 (Time: 5:06)
YouTube: Badfinger performs "I Got You", 1981 (Time: 4:20)

Merv Griffin Gossip and Blogs

Google Blog Search: Merv Griffin
TVgasm: Send a get well card to Merv Griffin

Merv Griffin Photos

Merv Griffin Videos

iFilm: Jeopardy: An Inside Look (Time: 1:30)
YouTube: Freddy Martin Show: Merv Griffin sings "Bye Bye Baby" (Time: 1:44)
FoxNews.com: Merv Griffin on his close relationship with the Reagans (Time: 3:20)

Merv Griffin Timeline

Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.
July 6, 1925: Born in San Mateo, California
1953: So This Is Love
1962: First syndicated season of The Merv Griffin Show
1963: Hosts Word for Word
1964: Creates Jeopardy
August 18, 1969: Griffin's show moves to CBS, pitting him against Johnny Carson
1975: Creates Wheel of Fortune
September, 2007: Launch of new game show, Merv Griffin's Crosswords
August 12, 2007: Dies of Prostate Cancer in Los Angeles

Merv Griffin DVDs and Merchandise

Amazon.com: Merv Griffin DVD's
Amazon.com: Merv: Making The Good Life Last

Merv Griffin Satire and Humor

YouTube: Seinfeld: Kramer gets Merv Griffin's set (Time: 6:54)
Milk and Cookies: Merv Griffin comic

Related Searches

Jeopardy | Wheel of Fortune | Doris Day | Ronald Reagan