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Recently it was announced that Bob Barker the longtime host of The Price Is Right, passed away on August 26 in his Hollywood Hills home from natural causes at the age of 99. This shocking and devastating news led many celebrities and close friends to pay heartfelt tributes to the late legend, including Drew Carey, Adam Sandler, Nancy Burnett, Julie Bowen and more.
Bob Barker & His History On Television:
Despite being a renowned TV personality known for his long-running stint as The Price Is Right’s long-time host, Bob Barker also garnered a cult following for his unexpected big-screen career, specifically for his role as Sandler’s celebrity golf partner in Happy Gilmore. For their performance in the infamous Water Boy Fight scene, he and Sandler won the 1996 MTV Movie Award for Best Fight, cementing Barker’s role as a beloved pop-culture icon.
From his debut hosting the long-running game show, Bob Barker’s charm, warmth, and signature tagline of, “help control the pet population: have your pets sterilized or neutered,” quickly captured the hearts of television audiences. As its inaugural host, he oversaw all aspects of the production, including the launch of its primetime spin-off, The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular. After 35 years at the helm, Barker announced his retirement in 2007, with comedian Drew Carey succeeding him as host. The long-time host also earned multiple awards and induction into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Hall of Fame in 2017.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker has left us.”
Bob Barker’s rep, Roger Neal, announcing his death
“Sweet Funny” Bob Barker: Read Heartfelt Tributes To The Host
Adam Sandler was one of the first people to post a tribute to the late host, writing, “The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us!” Drew Carey, who succeeded Barker as the next Price is Right host after his retirement, also shared his feelings on Twitter: “Very sad day for the Price Is Right family, and animal lovers all over the world. There hasn’t been a day on set that I didn’t think of Bob Barker and thank him. I will carry his memory in my heart forever. #RIPBobBarker We love you.”
The Modern Family star Julie Bowen, who also appeared in Happy Gilmore, paid her respects on Instagram, “I will never forget Adam convincing Bob Barker to say the iconic line, ‘the price is WRONG, bi*ch!’ Bob was kind and polite and had declined to say the line, but he got swept up in the hilarious fight scene between him and Happy, he just…said it. It’s one of my favorite filming memories ever.” Bowen continued, “In honor of Bob: please remember to spay and neuter your pets. RIP Bob.”
“I am so proud of the trailblazing work Barker, and I did together to expose the cruelty to animals in the entertainment industry and including working to improve the plight of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally. We were great friends over these 40 yrs. he will be missed.”
Nancy Burnet, longtime friend of Bob Barker and fellow animal rights activist