Chuck Barris dead: The Gong Show host dies aged 87
CHUCK BARRIS, the long-time host of Seventies talent show The Gong Show, has died at the age of 87.
Throwback footage of Chuck Barris on The Gong Show
The star's publicist confirmed that the American game show host passed away from natural causes at his home in Palisades, New York, yesterday.
As well as The Gong Show, he also created other well-known TV delights, such as The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game.
Barris shocked the world when he claimed in his autobiography that his game show career had merely been a cover for his work as a CIA operative.
American game show legend Chuck Barris has died at the age of 87
Chuck died at his Palisades home of natural causes
Those were the happiest days of my life
He alleged that he had been hired as an assassin during the 1960s and '70s, though the CIA denied his story.
Nonetheless, his book Confessions of a Dangerous Mind was given a movie adaptation in 2002, and boasted George Clooney at the helm, as well as Drew Barrymore and Sam Rockwell in starring roles.
The multi-talented star also penned songs, including 1962 hit Palisades Park.
Speaking about his prosperous TV career in a 2002 interview with The Times, Barris enthused: "Those were the happiest days of my life. It was Camelot."
Chuck also created TV shows The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game
Chuck's book Confessions of a Dangerous Mind was given a movie adaptation in 2002
In 2016, it was claimed that ABC were considering reviving The Gong Show, this time with actor Will Arnett fronting the series.
Born in 1929, Barris joined NBC in New York as a page, before moving to ABC to become a backstage staffer at American Bandstand.
He later moved with the media company to Los Angeles where he was tasked with overseeing daytime game shows.
Barris is survived by his wife of 16 years, the former Mary Clagett.