Merv Griffin, who went from a big band-era singer, to actor, to talk show host to producer of games shows, died Sunday at 82 of prostate cancer.
Griffin started his career singing on radio in San Francisco and went from there to singing in Freddy Martin's band. He acted in some films then became the host of "The Merv Griffin Show" over a two-decade period. He created the popular day-time game shows "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy," and turned them into a fortune. He was on the list of Forbes richest Americans a number of times.
Griffin ended up selling the rights to the game shows to Coca Cola in 1986 for $250 million, while keeping a share of the profits.
Friends with Griffin for over 50 years, Nancy Reagan said in a statement: "This is heartbreaking, not just for those of us who loved Merv personally, but for everyone around the world who has known Merv through his music, his television shows and his business. Ronnie and I knew Merv for more years than I can even remember, more than 50 I'm sure."
Griffin is survived by his son Anthony and daughter-in-law Tricia and two grandchildren.
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