Chuck Woolery of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ & ‘Love Connection’ fame dies at 83

Chuck Woolery, the smooth, smiling original host of “Wheel of Fortune” and the risqué “Love Connection,” has died at age 83.

Woolery’s death was announced by his “Blunt Forth Truth” podcast co-host Mark Young on Xformerly known as Twitter. “It is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother Chuck Woolery has just passed,” he wrote late Saturday. “Life won’t be the same without him, RIP bro.”

No cause of death was given.

Woolery, born March 16, 1941 in Ashland, Kentucky, was a singer before his hosting career, enjoying a solo career as well as some success with a duo called Avant-Garde, who scored a Top 40 hit with “Naturally Stoned” in 1968.

He later recorded in the country genre and wrote a song recorded by Tammy Wynette.

After a minor acting career and playing Mr. Dingle on “New Zoo Revue” in 1972, he and his then-wife, actress Jo Ann Pflug, appeared on the celebrity-driven game show “Tattletales” in 1974. His telegenic style led to a long stint as the original host of “Wheel of Fortune” (1975-1981), which ended due to a contract dispute. He was replaced by Pat Sajak, who remained in the position for over 40 years.

Among many other hosting gigs, Woolery was perhaps best known for his edgy work on “Love Connection” (1983-1994), in which he egged contestants on to gulp over dates they went on after meeting via short, sometimes wacky videos on the show.

He was later the longtime host of “Lingo” (2002-2007) and this year hosted the “80s Quiz Show with Chuck Woolery” on Fox Nation.

Later in his career, Woolery became an outspoken right-wing political figure and hosted a radio show called “Save Us Chuck Woolery” (2012–2014), as well as “Blunt Force Truth” (2014–2024), advocating for gun rights, evangelical Christianity, and COVID skepticism.

Woolery was married and divorced four times, including Teri Nelson, daughter of “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” star David Nelson.

He is survived by four of his five children; his son Chad, with his first wife Margaret, died in a motorcycle wreck in 1986.