Richard Dawson will be remembered as the friendly and genial host of Family Feud. Many years before he appeared on television as a game show host, Dawson had a brief career as a boxer.
Born Colin Lionel Emm in Gosport, Hampshire, England, Dawson ran away from home at the age of 14 to join the British Merchant Navy. It was during that time in the British Merchant Navy that Dawson pursued a career in boxing.
Dawson competed in shipboard matches. He was good, too, at least on the financial side of things. Dawson accumulated $ 5,000+ from bets placed on his matches.
Dawson (L) with Bob Crane on “Hogan’s Heroes” (photo courtesy Sean McDowell on X)
After serving in the Navy, Dawson eventually embarked on an entertainment career. He was good at that, too, appearing on many television shows during the 1960s and 1970s, including The Jack Benny Program, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, Love, American Style, The Odd Couple, and The Love Boat.
Dawson’s most memorable role as a TV actor was on Hogan’s Heroes, where he played the wisecracking, mischievous Corporal Peter Newkirk. Dawson’s character was a jack of all trades, including as a card shark and bookie.
During the 1970s, Dawson became a familiar face on game shows, first as a panelist. As a panelist, he appeared on Can You Top This? I’ve Got a Secret, and Match Game.
Dawson on “Family Fued” (photo courtesy Mississippi Link)
In 1976, Dawson became the host of Family Feud. During the nine years Dawson hosted Family Feud, many athletes appeared on the show, including Tony Dorsett, Harvey Martin, Charlie Waters, Larry Cole, and Danny White of the Dallas Cowboys.
During one episode, Harvey Martin famously made Dawson an honorary member of the team.
It also featured some famous Summer and Winter Olympic athletes, including Mary Rand-Toomey, Jesse Valdez, Ann Meyers, and Willie Banks, representing the Summer Olympics. Representing the Winter Olympic athletes were Mike Eruzione, JoJo Starbuck, and Jim Craig.
Dawson even got a chance to cross paths with the sport of boxing again when the family of super welterweight Tommy Hearns competed against the family of welterweight champion Milton McCrory.
Dawson even parodied his down-to-earth TV persona in The Running Man (1987), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Dawson portrayed the cruel, egotistical game show host Damon Killian.
Richard Dawson died in 2012. He was 79.
