Chuck Woolery, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ & ‘Love Connection’ Host, Dead at 83

Chuck Woolerywhich was the original host Wheel of Fortune and had an 11-year run as host of the popular dating show Love connectionis dead. He was 83.

Mark YoungWoolery’s friend, who co-hosted the “Blunt Force Truth” podcast with him, said in an email to AP on Sunday, Nov. 24, that Woolery died at his home in Texas. His wife, Kristen, was with him.

“Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a man of tremendous faith, life will not be the same without him,” Young told the paper. He also submitted on X: “It is with a broken heart that I tell you my dear brother @chuckwoolery just passed. Life will not be the same without him. RIP bro,” along with several photos of himself and Woolery together.

Per a report from TMZYoung said he was at Woolery’s Texas house when Woolery said he wasn’t feeling well and went to bed. A short time later he came back complaining of having trouble breathing. Young said 911 was called, but Woolery did not make it.

A Kentucky native who served in the U.S. Navy, Woolery originally had his sights set on being a musician: He formed the psychedelic rock duo The Avant Garde in 1967, which released a Top 40 hit, “Naturally Stoned.” When the duo broke up, he released several solo singles and moved into country music, writing songs not only for himself, but also for stars such as Tammy Wynette.

Woolery was the original host Wheel of Fortunewhere he began his television career in 1975 and stayed for several years before a pay dispute saw him replaced by Pat Sajak. In 1983, he hosted what would become known as his signature show, Love connectiona hit dating show which paired a single man or woman with three potential suitors, who would then share the details of their dates with an audience.

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In 1984 he was also host Scrabble. In 1991, he hosted a short-lived talk show, The Chuck Woolery Show. At the end of Love connection in 1994 hosted a revival of The dating game. He later hosted Greed and Lingo and appeared in other shows, including playing himself in two episodes of Melrose place.

Woolery was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1978.