JUNE 9, 1981
One of the worst game show tragedies in history occurred: the untimely death of famed Password emcee Allen Ludden, at the age of 64.
Ludden was enjoying a spectacular comeback to NBC's Password+Plus, following a 4-week leave of absence to have surgery done on him for stomach cancer (Bill Cullen emceed in Ludden's stead), when suddenly, a massive stroke in October 1980 forced him off the show for good. Tom Kennedy suceeded him for the rest of the Password+Plus' run. On the series' finale in March 1982, Tom said a few kind words about Allen: "This is the last in our series of Password+Plus. Even though our dear friend Allen Ludden is not with us at this particular moment, as you well know he hosted this show as only as he could do for something like 18 years. I was very proud to have the last year and a half here at the helm. All I can say is you know the show is going to be back soon. . . ."
Ludden left behind a lovely, doting wife, Betty White, and several children (I am not sure how many). Aside from his work on Password, Ludden enceed the 1975-77 syndicated edition of Liars' Club, the ill-fated 1977 NBC game Stumpers, and, of course, his pre-Password game, the '50s favourite, GE College Bowl.
The charm, wit, friendliness, and neighbourly demeanor which had become Allen Ludden's trademark through out all of his shows would not soon be forgotten.
And it still isn't.
ALLEN LUDDEN
(1919-1981)