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

  According to the book Merv Griffin: A Life in the Closet, published in May 2009, Griffin was not only secretly gay, but sexually active with several of Hollywood's all-time leading male actors, including James Dean, Marlon Brando and Rock Hudson. The book also claims that Griffin had a sexual relationship with the flamboyant pianist Liberace.Perez Hilton: Merv Griffin Was A Gay Sex Fiend? (May 26, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Given Name: Mervyn Edward Griffin, Jr.
  2. Born: July 6, 1925
  3. Birthplace: San Mateo, California
  4. Died: August 12, 2007
  5. Father: Mervyn Griffin Sr.
  6. Mother: Rita Robinson
  7. Spouse: Julann Wright, (1958) - 1976)
  8. Children: Anthony Patrick Griffin
  9. Education: San Mateo High School
  10. Selected Awards: 5 Daytime Emmy Awards
  11. Discovered by: Doris Day
  12. Started his career as a singer on radio
  13. 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.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Jeopardy | Wheel of Fortune | Doris Day | Ronald Reagan

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