Richard Dawson, a British-born American actor, comedian, and game show host, was widely recognized for his role as Corporal Peter Newkirk in Hogan’s Heroes (1965 – 1974) and as the host of Family Feud in 1976. He also gained popularity as a panelist on Match Game ’73 (1973 – 1979).
Before his success on Family Feud, Dawson was well-known for his role on Hogan’s Heroes and as a panelist on Match Game ’73. He remained a beloved television personality long after his peak fame.
Profile
- Full Name: Richard Dawson
- Date of Birth: November 20, 1932
- Age: 92 years old (as of 2024)
- Gender: Male
- Place of Birth: Gosport, Hampshire, England
- Nationality: British
- Profession: Actor, comedian, and television host
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Parents: Arthur Emm ,Josephine Lucy Emm
- Siblings: John Leslie Emm
- Spouse: Diana Dors (m. 1959; div. 1967), Gretchen Johnson (m. 1991 until he died in 2012)
- Children: Mark Dawson, Gary Dawson, and Shannon Dawson
- Relationship Status: Married
- Net Worth: $100k
Early Life and Education
Colin Lionel Emm, better known as Richard Dawson, now posthumously at 92 as of 2024, was born on November 20, 1932, in Gosport, Hampshire, England.
He was the youngest of two sons born to Arthur Emm and Josephine Lucy Emm. Growing up in a working-class family, young Richard experienced the hardships of the post-World War II era.
His father worked as a removal van driver while his mother was employed in a munitions factory. During World War II, Colin and his older brother, John Leslie Emm, were evacuated to avoid the bombings of England’s major port cities in the south.
In a radio interview with Hogan’s Heroes co-star Bob Crane, Colin mentioned that this experience greatly impacted his schooling, as he attended regularly for only two years.
At 14, Richard left home to join the British Merchant Navy, where he pursued a career in boxing and earned nearly $5,000 from shipboard matches.
Between 1950 and 1951, he traveled on the RMS Mauretania from Southampton to various ports of call, such as Nassau, the Bahamas, Havana, and New York City.
After leaving the merchant service, he began a comedy career under the stage name Dickie Dawson, which he later changed to Richard Dawson, eventually adopting it as his legal name.
Personal Life
Dawson had two sons, Mark and Gary, with his first wife, actress Diana Dors. The marriage ended in divorce in Los Angeles in April 1967, and Dawson gained custody of both sons. He has four grandchildren and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1984.
After retiring, Dawson continued to live in Beverly Hills, California, where he had resided since 1964. He met his second wife, Gretchen Johnson when she was a contestant on Family Feud in May 1981, and they married in 1991.
They welcomed a daughter, Shannon Nicole Dawson, in 1990. Dawson shared the news of his daughter’s birth and showed a picture of her during the first episode of his second stint as host of Feud in 1994 while greeting a contestant who had been on Match Game when he was a panelist.
Career
Emm started his career in England as a stand-up comedian under the name Dickie Dawson. His first television appearance was on June 21, 1954, at the age of 21, on the Benny Hill Showcase, an early BBC Television program that aimed to introduce new artists and acts to television.
In 1954, Emm also made at least four appearances on BBC Radio programs, including two on the Midday Music Hall on BBC Home Service and two on How Do You Do, a BBC Light Entertainment broadcast that brought together Commonwealth artists in a friendly setting.
In 1958, Emm appeared on BBC TV’s A to Z: D alongside his future wife, Diana Dors, which featured entertainers with names starting with the letter D.
The following year, in 1959, Emm appeared four times on BBC TV’s Juke Box Jury, three of which were with Dors, whom he had married by then.
Transitioning to the U.S., in September 1961, Dawson started hosting the late-night talk show, the Mike Stokey Show, on Los Angeles television station KCOP-TV. In January 1963, he made a guest appearance on The Jack Benny Program and later on The Dick Van Dyke Show in the same year.
By 1965, Dawson had moved to Los Angeles and had a small role in the film King Rat. He then gained recognition for his role as Cpl. Peter Newkirk in the television show Hogan’s Heroes from 1965 to 1971.
Additionally, he had minor roles in Universal’s Munster, Go Home!, and released a psychedelic 45-rpm single, including the songs “His Children’s Parade” and “Apples & Oranges” on Carnation Records a year later.
Awards
- Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host (1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)
- T.V. Land Favorite Game Show Host Award (2006)
Death
On June 2, 2012, Richard Dawson passed away at the age of 79 due to complications from esophageal cancer.
His death marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Controversy
Richard Dawson was involved in several controversies. He had a habit of kissing female contestants on the mouth, leading to a policy of requiring them to undergo oral herpes tests.
There were accusations of “promiscuous kissing” and concerns about contracting diseases. In addition, Dawson made jokes about former President Richard Nixon on air and was named the first runner-up instead of the winner of the Miss Universe pageant.
Various publications have discussed these controversies, including the Times of India, Entertainment Weekly, Quora, Grunge, and the New York Post.
Social Media
- Instagram: @richarddawsonofficial
- Twitter: @realrichdawson
Filmography
- King Rat
- The Devil’s Brigade
- The Running Man
Discography
- His Children’s Favorites
Books
- I’m Only Dancing (1991)
Net Worth
Richard Dawson amassed his wealth through his successful entertainment career.
From his early days as a comedian to his iconic role as the host of “Family Feud,” Dawson’s talents were appreciated and financially rewarded. At the time of his passing in 2012, his net worth was estimated to be $100k.
