Bob Barker was a prominent American media personality, best known as the long-time host of The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007. Before that, he hosted Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1975. Beyond his television career, Barker was a dedicated animal rights advocate. His career spanned decades, making him a recognizable figure in American entertainment.
December 12, 1923: Robert William Barker Born
On December 12, 1923, Robert William Barker was born. He would later become a famous media personality, game show host, and animal rights advocate.
1943: Joined United States Navy Reserve
In 1943, Bob Barker joined the United States Navy Reserve during World War II to train as a fighter pilot.
January 12, 1945: Married Dorothy Jo Gideon
On January 12, 1945, Bob Barker married Dorothy Jo Gideon while on leave from the military.
1945: Married Dorothy Jo Gideon
In 1945, Bob Barker married Dorothy Jo Gideon.
1950: Moved to California
In 1950, Bob Barker moved to California to advance his broadcasting career.
1956: Hosted Truth or Consequences
In 1956, Bob Barker began his game show career, hosting Truth or Consequences.
December 31, 1956: Started Hosting Truth or Consequences
On December 31, 1956, Bob Barker started hosting Truth or Consequences.
1960: Acted in Bonanza
In 1960, Bob Barker played a character named Mort in the Bonanza episode "Denver McKee".
1969: Co-hosted CBS Coverage of Rose Parade
From 1969 to 1988, Bob Barker co-hosted CBS's coverage of the Rose Parade from Pasadena, California.
September 4, 1972: Hosted The Price Is Right Revival
On September 4, 1972, Bob Barker began hosting the CBS revival of The Price Is Right.
1972: Started Hosting The Price Is Right
In 1972, Bob Barker began hosting the game show The Price Is Right.
1972: CBS Interest in The Price is Right with Barker
In 1972, CBS expressed interest in The Price Is Right and wanted Bob Barker as the daytime host.
1973: Panelist on Match Game
From 1973–1980, Bob Barker appeared as a semi-regular panelist on the game show Match Game.
December 1974: Dennis James Substitute on The Price Is Right
In December 1974, Dennis James substituted for Bob Barker on the daytime version of The Price Is Right for a week when Barker was ill.
1975: Continued with Truth or Consequences
Bob Barker continued hosting Truth or Consequences until 1975.
1975: Panelist on Tattletales
From 1975–1976, Bob Barker appeared as a semi-regular panelist on the game show Tattletales with his wife Dorothy Jo.
1976: Pillsbury Bake-Off
Bob Barker began hosting the Pillsbury Bake-Off every two years starting in 1976.
1976: Panelist on Tattletales
From 1975–1976, Bob Barker appeared as a semi-regular panelist on the game show Tattletales with his wife Dorothy Jo.
1977: Barker Hosted Nighttime Edition of The Price Is Right
In 1977, after Dennis James' contract was not renewed, Bob Barker took over as host of the nighttime edition of The Price Is Right.
1978: First Male Category Champ
In 1978, Bob Barker became the first host of the Pillsbury Bake-Off to have a male category champ.
1980: Panelist on Match Game
From 1973–1980, Bob Barker appeared as a semi-regular panelist on the game show Match Game.
1980: Cancellation of Nighttime Edition of The Price Is Right
In 1980, the nighttime edition of The Price Is Right, hosted by Bob Barker, was cancelled.
1981: Dorothy Jo Gideon's Death
In 1981, Dorothy Jo Gideon, Bob Barker's wife, died from lung cancer at age 57.
1982: Began Ending Shows with Spay/Neuter Message
In 1982, Bob Barker began ending The Price Is Right episodes with the phrase: "This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population – have your pets spayed or neutered."
1983: Relationship with Nancy Burnet
From 1983 until his death, Bob Barker was in a long-term relationship with Nancy Burnet, a self-described "radical" animal rights activist.
October 15, 1987: Stopped Using Hair Dye
On October 15, 1987, Bob Barker stopped using hair dye and let his hair go gray, its natural color by that time.
1987: Request to remove fur prizes
In 1987, Bob Barker requested that fur prizes be removed from the Miss USA pageant. When the producers refused, Barker stepped down as host.
1988: Assumed Executive Producer Duties
Following the death of Frank Wayne in 1988, Bob Barker also assumed executive producer duties over The Price Is Right.
1988: Co-hosted CBS Coverage of Rose Parade
From 1969 to 1988, Bob Barker co-hosted CBS's coverage of the Rose Parade from Pasadena, California.
1989: Accusations of animal mistreatment
In 1989, Bob Barker and United Activists for Animal Rights (UAAR) accused several media projects and the American Humane Association of animal mistreatment and condoning it. This led to a $10 million lawsuit against Barker and the UAAR for libel, slander, and invasion of privacy.
1993: Ended relationship with Dian Parkinson
In 1993, Bob Barker ended his relationship with Dian Parkinson, a model on The Price Is Right.
1994: DJ&T Foundation Founded
In 1994, Bob Barker founded the DJ&T Foundation, named after his late wife and mother. The foundation contributed millions to animal-neutering programs and funded animal rescue and park facilities across the United States.
1994: Dian Parkinson's Lawsuit
In 1994, former model Dian Parkinson filed a lawsuit against Bob Barker, alleging sexual harassment following a three-year affair while working on The Price Is Right. She later dropped the lawsuit, citing stress.
1994: Lawsuit settled
In 1994, the $10 million lawsuit against Bob Barker and the UAAR, which stemmed from accusations of animal mistreatment, was settled by the insurer.
1995: Holly Hallstrom Left The Price Is Right
In 1995, Holly Hallstrom left The Price Is Right and sued Bob Barker, alleging she was fired for refusing to give false information about Dian Parkinson's suit. Barker countersued for slander.
1996: Played Himself in Happy Gilmore
In 1996, Bob Barker played himself in the Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore. In one scene, Barker beats up Gilmore.
September 16, 1999: Testimony and Health Scare
On September 16, 1999, Bob Barker was in Washington, D.C., to testify before Congress regarding legislation to ban captive elephants from traveling shows. He experienced clumsiness and was diagnosed with a partially blocked left carotid artery, undergoing surgery to remove the blockage.
May 30, 2002: Barker Experienced a Stroke
On May 30, 2002, Bob Barker experienced a stroke and was hospitalized after taping the 30th-season finale of The Price is Right.
2004: $1 Million Donation to Columbia Law School
In 2004, Bob Barker donated $1 million to Columbia Law School to support the study of animal rights.
2005: Settlement with Holly Hallstrom
In 2005, Holly Hallstrom prevailed in her lawsuit against Bob Barker, receiving a settlement.
October 31, 2006: Announced Retirement
On October 31, 2006, Bob Barker announced that he would retire from The Price Is Right in June 2007.
June 6, 2007: Taped Final Episode
On June 6, 2007, Bob Barker taped his final episode of The Price Is Right.
June 2007: Retired from The Price Is Right
In June 2007, Bob Barker retired from The Price Is Right, with his final episode airing on June 15.
October 15, 2007: Drew Carey Took Over Hosting Duties
On October 15, 2007, Drew Carey took over hosting duties on The Price Is Right.
2007: No Regrets About Not Having Children
As of 2007, Bob Barker stated that he had no regrets about his decision to not have children.
2007: Retired from The Price Is Right
In 2007, Bob Barker retired from hosting The Price Is Right after a 50-year television career.
2007: Happy Gilmore Scene Shown at Barker's Tribute
In 2007, during a CBS prime-time special commemorating Bob Barker's career, the fight scene from Happy Gilmore was shown, after which Adam Sandler made a surprise appearance.
February 16, 2009: Public Service Announcement for Digital Television Transition
About one year after his retirement from The Price Is Right, Bob Barker appeared in a public service announcement promoting the transition to digital television in the United States. The advertisement was produced under the first proposed date of February 16, 2009, for the transition.
April 6, 2009: Publication of Autobiography
On April 6, 2009, Bob Barker's autobiography, Priceless Memories, co-written with Digby Diehl, was published.
April 16, 2009: Return Appearance to Promote Autobiography
On April 16, 2009, Bob Barker appeared on The Price Is Right to promote his new autobiography, Priceless Memories. He appeared in the Showcase round.
2009: Feud with Betty White and Donations to Law Schools
In 2009, Bob Barker wrote a letter requesting the closure of bear exhibits in Cherokee, North Carolina. He also threatened to not attend the 2009 Game Show Awards due to a feud with Betty White over animal treatment. White didn't attend. That same year, Barker donated $1 million to the University of Virginia Law School and made similar donations to other law schools to support animal rights studies.
July 29, 2010: First Appearance on The Huckabee Show
On July 29, 2010, Bob Barker first appeared on The Huckabee Show as a rotating guest co-host.
2010: Donation to PETA
In 2010, Bob Barker donated $2.5 million toward the purchase of office space for PETA in Los Angeles.
2010: Sea Shepherd Ship Purchased
In 2010, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society announced it had purchased and outfitted a ship, named the MY Bob Barker, to interdict Japanese whaling operations in the Southern Ocean, using $5 million provided by Barker.
2011: Prenuptial Agreement Incident
In 2011, Bob Barker drafted a prenuptial agreement for Nancy Burnet's lawyer to review, but she refused to accept it.
January 2012: Dismissal of Lawsuit Affirmed
In January 2012, the California Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of Deborah Curling's lawsuit against CBS, Bob Barker, and The Price Is Right producers.
2012: The Bob Barker Building Opens
In 2012, The Bob Barker Building, purchased with Barker's donation, opened as office space for PETA in Los Angeles.
December 12, 2013: Guest Appearance for 90th Birthday
On December 12, 2013, Bob Barker made a guest appearance on The Price Is Right to celebrate his 90th birthday. He announced a contestant and one showcase.
2014: Endorsed David Jolly
In 2014, Bob Barker endorsed David Jolly, a candidate for the Republican Party nomination for the Florida's 13th congressional district special election.
April 1, 2015: April Fools' Day Appearance
On April 1, 2015, Bob Barker made a surprise appearance on The Price Is Right for an April Fools' Day switch, taking Drew Carey's place at the show's intro. He hosted the first bid and pricing game before handing duties back to Carey and appeared during the showcase.
October 20, 2015: Barker's Fall
On October 20, 2015, Bob Barker was seen tripping and falling on a sidewalk by police officers near his Los Angeles home. He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, received stitches for a forehead injury, and was released, also hurting his left knee.
2015: Reunited with Sandler for Comedy Central Benefit
In 2015, during Comedy Central's "Night of Too Many Stars" benefit show to battle autism, Bob Barker and Adam Sandler reunited for a video featuring them in a follow-up fight, which ends with both of them dying and going to heaven.
2015: Occasional Appearances Until 2015
Until 2015, Bob Barker continued to make occasional appearances after his retirement.
June 19, 2017: Barker's Fall at Home
On June 19, 2017, Bob Barker slipped and hit his head at home. He was taken to the emergency room, checked, and released. It was reported to be less serious than his earlier fall.
November 2018: Barker Rushed to Hospital
In November 2018, Bob Barker was rushed to the hospital for severe back pain.
January 2019: Another Fall
In January 2019, Bob Barker suffered another fall, but he was not hospitalized.
August 2021: Last Public Interview
In August 2021, Bob Barker gave his last public interview to People, discussing The Price Is Right's upcoming 50th season on air.
2022: Barker's Medication
As of 2022, it was reported that Bob Barker was taking only one prescription medication for hypothyroidism, along with non-prescription supplements such as collagen and a meal replacement drink to replenish nutrients.
August 26, 2023: Death of Bob Barker
On August 26, 2023, Bob Barker, the iconic game show host and animal rights advocate, passed away.
August 31, 2023: TV Special Celebrating Life
On August 31, 2023, an hour-long TV special celebrating Bob Barker's life aired.
2025: Value of 2004 donation in 2025
In 2025, Bob Barker's $1 million donation to Columbia Law School in 2004 is equivalent to $1.7 million.
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