Merv Griffin

Mervyn Edward Griffin, Jr. (born on July 6, 1925 in San Mateo, California) is an American talk show host, entertainer, and television personality and executive. He began his career as a singer and even appeared in movies and on Broadway; he later became host of his own TV show, The Merv Griffin Show, and an entertainment business magnate.

Related Topics:
July 6 - 1925 - San Mateo, California - Talk show - Broadway - The Merv Griffin Show

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He started as a member of Freddy Martin's orchestra, but became popular with nightclub audiences as a solo act. He scored a number one hit with I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts, which sold over three million copies. During one of his nightclub performances, he was discovered by Doris Day, who arranged for a screen test at Warner Bros. Studios, and he appeared in such films as So This Is Love (1953) and The Boy From Oklahoma (1954).

Related Topics:
Freddy Martin - Orchestra - Nightclub - Doris Day - Screen test - Warner Bros. - So This Is Love - The Boy From Oklahoma

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Meanwhile, he was also appearing regularly in such TV shows as The Arthur Murray Show and The Jack Paar Show. He later substituted for Paar on The Tonight Show, leading NBC to offer him his own daytime talk show in 1962. He was not shy on tackling controversial subjects, especially the Vietnam War, on both his daytime show as well as the late night talk show offered to him by CBS in 1969.

Related Topics:
The Arthur Murray Show - The Jack Paar Show - Paar - The Tonight Show - NBC - 1962 - Vietnam War - CBS - 1969

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His late night show competed directly with The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and ratings were not so great. At one point, CBS pressured Griffin to fire his long-term sidekick Arthur Treacher, who had been his television mentor, but that did not help. In 1972, the show was cancelled and he returned to daytime television. He eventually retired from the show in 1986.

Related Topics:
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson - Arthur Treacher - 1972 - 1986

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In the meantime, he had created the wildly successful game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Upon his retirement, he sold his production company, Merv Griffin Enterprises, to Coca-Cola's Columbia Pictures Television unit for $250 million, which was the largest acquisition of an entertainment company owned by a single individual at that time. He retained the title of executive producer of both shows.

Related Topics:
Jeopardy! - Wheel of Fortune - Coca-Cola - Columbia Pictures Television - Executive producer

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Griffin also forayed into real estate, purchasing the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. He also owns a ranch near Carmel, California where he raises thoroughbred racehorses, as well as St. Clerans Manor, an 18th century estate once owned by director John Huston which is located near Galway, Ireland.

Related Topics:
Real estate - Beverly Hills - Carmel, California - Thoroughbred - Racehorse - 18th century - Director - John Huston - Galway, Ireland

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In March 2001, Merv returned to singing with the release of his album It's Like a Dream.

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Griffin has a son, Tony (by ex-wife Julann Griffin), and two grandchildren.

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