:Bob Barker

File:Robert (Bob) Barker - South Dakota's Indian Census Roll; April 1, 1930.jpg

Robert William Barker was born on December 12, 1923, in Darrington, Washington, and spent most of his youth on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, South Dakota.{{cite news |last=Severo |first=Richard |date=August 26, 2023 |title=Bob Barker, Longtime Host of 'The Price Is Right,' Dies at 99 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/arts/television/bob-barker-dead.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=August 26, 2023}} The U.S. Indian Census Rolls, 1885–1940, list Barker as a citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, which the tribe publicly confirmed.{{cite web|title=Robert (Bob) Barker – South Dakota's Indian Census Roll April 1, 1930|url=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_(Bob)_Barker_-_South_Dakota%27s_Indian_Census_Roll;_April_1,_1930.jpg|access-date=June 25, 2011}}{{Cite news |title=Bob Barker's legacy stretched in, out of Indian Country |language=en |work=ICT News |url=https://ictnews.org/news/bob-barkers-legacy-stretched-in-out-of-indian-country- |access-date=2023-09-11}} His mother, Matilda ("Tillie") Valandra (née Matilda Kent Tarleton), was a schoolteacher; his father, Byron John Barker, was the foreman on the electrical high line through the state of Washington. As Barker's father was one-quarter Sioux,{{cite news |title=The Truth Is—He's Proud of His Indian Blood |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93129234/article-on-bob-barker-1962/ |access-date=January 21, 2022 |work=Argus-Leader |agency=Associated Press |date=March 25, 1962 |page=17|via=Newspapers.com}} and his mother non-Native, Barker was one-eighth Sioux.{{cite web|last=Axelrod |first=Laura |title=Book Review: Priceless Memories by Bob Barker with Digby Diehl |website=lauraaxelrod.net |url=http://www.lauraaxelrod.net/2009/03/book-review-priceless-memories-by-bob-barker-with-digby-diehl.html |access-date=October 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018105421/http://www.lauraaxelrod.net/2009/03/book-review-priceless-memories-by-bob-barker-with-digby-diehl.html |archive-date=October 18, 2015 }} Barker attended the grade school on the Rosebud Reservation where his mother was a teacher. Barker once said, "I've always bragged about being part Indian, because they are a people to be proud of. And the Sioux were the greatest warriors of them all."

Barker met his future wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, at an Ella Fitzgerald concert while he was attending high school in Missouri; they began dating when he was 15.{{cite web |last1=S |first1=Asmita |title=The Price is Right's Bob Barker Honored His Late Wife on Her 36th Death Anniversary in This Touching Way Despite Poor Health |url=https://her.womenworking.com/bob-barker-wife-death-anniversary-tribute-grave |website=Women Working |access-date=August 8, 2020 |date=September 26, 2017}} Barker attended Drury College (now Drury University) in Springfield, Missouri, on a basketball athletic scholarship. He was a member of the Epsilon Beta chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity at Drury.{{cite web|url=http://www.sigmanu.org/about/famous_sigmanus.php |title=Famous Sigma Nus |publisher=Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. |access-date=July 10, 2015}} Barker joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1943 during World War II to train as a fighter pilot but did not serve in combat. On January 12, 1945, while on leave from the military, Barker married Dorothy Jo.{{cite web |title=Birthday boy Bob Barker fast facts |url=https://www.wral.com/birthday-boy-bob-barker-fast-facts/18829701/ |publisher=WRAL |access-date=August 8, 2020 |date=December 12, 2019}} After the war, he returned to Drury to finish his education, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in economics.

While attending college in Drury, Barker worked his first media job at KTTS-FM Radio in Springfield. He and his wife left Springfield and moved to Lake Worth Beach, Florida, and Barker was news editor and announcer at nearby WWPG 1340 AM in Palm Beach (now WPBR in Lantana).{{cite web|date=May 10, 2013|title=Bob Barker Shares Story Of Fire While Working At KTTS|url=http://www.scrippsmedia.com/ktts/news/206929541.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711193249/http://www.scrippsmedia.com/ktts/news/206929541.html|archive-date=July 11, 2015|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=scrippsmedia.com}} In 1950, he moved to California to advance his broadcasting career. Barker was given his own radio show, The Bob Barker Show, which ran for the next six years from Burbank. He was hosting an audience-participation radio show on KNX (AM) in Los Angeles when game show producer Ralph Edwards, who was looking for a new host to replace Jack Bailey on the daytime-television version of his long-running show, Truth or Consequences, happened to be listening and liked Barker's voice and style.

File:Bob Barker dec 31 1956.JPG, 1956]]

File:Bob Barker 1958 Truth or Consequences.jpg

Barker started hosting Truth or Consequences on December 31, 1956, and continued with the program until 1975.{{cite book|title=Total Television |first=Alex |last=McNeil |pages=671, 867 |publisher=Penguin Books |edition=4th |year=1996 |isbn=978-0140249163}}

File:Bob Barker and Sam Farr.jpg in 1999]]

In early 1972, Mark Goodson and Bill Todman began shopping a modernized revival of The Price Is Right, with Dennis James as host. NBC bought the syndicated nighttime version of the Show first with James at the helm. CBS expressed interest in the series. Due to a contractual obligation and the fact that James was already viewed as the "NBC" Host, CBS wanted Bob Barker as the daytime host. After some initial resistance, Barker instead offered to host another upcoming CBS game show, Jack Barry's The Joker's Wild (which had difficulty finding a host and was scheduled to debut the same day as Price) to allow James to host Price, but CBS rejected this proposal.{{cite magazine|last1=Rice|first1=Lynette|title=Bob Barker on saying goodbye to The Price Is Right|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2007/06/08/bob-barker-saying-goodbye-price-right|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 19, 2015|archive-date=December 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220122704/http://www.ew.com/article/2007/06/08/bob-barker-saying-goodbye-price-right|url-status=dead}} In December 1974, James stepped in to host the daytime The Price Is Right for a week when Barker was ill. James was the only person to substitute on the daytime version of the show while Barker was hosting. In 1977, James' contract was not renewed, and Barker took over as host of the nighttime edition of The Price Is Right until its cancellation in 1980.

On September 4, 1972, Barker began hosting the CBS revival of The Price Is Right.

On October 15, 1987, Barker did what other MCs almost never did then: he stopped using hair dye and let his hair go gray, its natural color by that time.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-08-tv-514-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Susan |last=King |title=Bob Barker Wins the Game of Endurance |date=July 8, 1990}}

{{Wikinews|Bob Barker to retire as host of U.S. gameshow The Price Is Right}}

On October 31, 2006, Barker announced that he would retire from The Price Is Right in June 2007.{{cite news|last=Keveney |first=Bill |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-10-31-bob-barker_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA |title=Bob Barker, 82, to retire |work=USA Today |date=November 1, 2006 |access-date=September 4, 2012}} Barker taped his final episode on June 6, 2007, with the show airing twice on June 15; once in Daytime and once on Primetime.{{cite news|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=May 22, 2007|title=Barker's final 'Price' airing June 15|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2007/biz/markets-festivals/barker-s-final-price-airing-june-15-1117965636/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014073735/http://variety.com/article/VR1117965636.html?categoryId=14&cs=1|archive-date=October 14, 2007}} On October 15, 2007, Drew Carey took over hosting duties on the show.

After his retirement, Barker made three return appearances to The Price is Right. He first appeared on the episode that aired on April 16, 2009, to promote his new autobiography, Priceless Memories. Barker appeared in the Showcase round at the end of the show.{{cite news|author=Steward Levine|date=March 24, 2009|title=Barker to appear on 'Price Is Right'|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2009/tv/news/barker-to-appear-on-price-is-right-1118001621/|url-status=live|access-date=March 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328212601/https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001621.html?categoryId=14&cs=1|archive-date=March 28, 2009}} Barker made another guest appearance on the show to celebrate his 90th birthday, which aired on December 12, 2013. Barker announced a contestant for the first time ever on the show, along with one showcase.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-barker-returns-to-the-price-is-right-for-birthday-celebration/|title=Bob Barker returns to 'The Price is Right' for birthday celebration |access-date=December 12, 2013 |publisher=CBS News |date=December 12, 2013}} Barker's last appearance was a surprise appearance on April 1, 2015, for an April Fools' Day switch where he took Carey's place at the show's intro. Barker hosted the first bid and pricing game of that day before handing the hosting duties back to Carey; Barker later appeared during the showcase.{{cite news |last=Slane |first=Kevin |date=April 1, 2015 |title=Bob Barker Appeared on The Price is Right and Everyone Lost Their Minds |url=http://www.bdcwire.com/bob-barker-april-fools/?p1=recent_headline_4_hp |newspaper=Boston Globe |access-date=April 1, 2015}}

File:Bob Barker at WWE crop.jpg

File:USMC-12327.jpg in 2011]]

Barker was married to Dorothy Jo Gideon from 1945 until her death from lung cancer at age 57 in 1981.{{cite web |last1=Lipton |first1=Michael A. |title=He's Got Game |url=https://people.com/archive/hes-got-game-vol-52-no-9/ |website=People |access-date=August 8, 2020 |date=September 6, 1999}} From 1983 until his death, Barker was in a long-term relationship with Nancy Burnet, a self-described "radical" animal rights activist nearly 20 years younger than Barker. By mutual decision, Barker and Burnet were never married and lived in separate residences throughout their relationship.{{Cite web |title=Bob Barker's Relationships: His Wife of 35 Years and GF of 40 Years |url=https://www.etonline.com/bob-barkers-relationship-timeline-from-his-35-year-marriage-to-dorothy-and-why-he-and-nancy-never |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Entertainment Tonight |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Bob Barker Proposed to Nancy Burnet Several Times, His Publicist Says |url=https://www.etonline.com/interview-bob-barker-wanted-to-marry-girlfriend-nancy-and-proposed-several-times-publicist-says-exclusive |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Entertainment Tonight |language=en-US}} Barker had no children with either woman, stating that he had seen friends who had poor relationships with their children and felt like he was too busy to properly raise a child; as of 2007, Barker stated that he had no regrets about his decision. From the late 2000s onward, Burnet described the relationship as a platonic friendship, even as Barker had become more interested in remarrying; she recalled a 2011 incident where Barker drafted a prenuptial agreement for Burnet's lawyer to review and revise as she felt fit, which she refused.{{Cite web |last=Mangalindan |first=JP |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Bob Barker's Longtime Companion Nancy Burnet Recalls His 'Many' Proposals and the 'Trust' They Shared (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/bob-barker-companion-nancy-burnet-many-proposals-trust-they-shared-exclusive-7866872 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=People |language=en}} Burnet managed Barker's health and diet in retirement.

Barker was a vegetarian.{{cite news |last=Oldenburg |first=Ann |date=December 12, 2013 |title=Wish Bob Barker a happy birthday! |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/12/12/wish-bob-barker-a-happy-birthday/3956973/ |access-date=September 14, 2020}} In 1982, Barker began ending The Price Is Right episodes with the phrase: "This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population{{snd}}have your pets spayed or neutered."{{Cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/10/17/how-did-bob-barker-help-influence-a-nation-to-neuter-their-pets/ |title=How did Bob Barker help influence a nation to neuter their pets? |date=October 17, 2018 |first=Joan |last=Morris}} Though Barker had already been dabbling in animal rights before meeting Burnet, his efforts became more aggressive during his relationship with her.

In 1987, Barker requested the removal of fur prizes for the Miss USA pageant and stepped down as host when the producers refused.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/about/bios/cast_bios_bbarker.shtml |title=CBS Biography for Bob Barker |publisher=CBS |access-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321032422/http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/about/bios/cast_bios_bbarker.shtml |archive-date=March 21, 2008}} In 1989, Barker and United Activists for Animal Rights publicly accused several media projects and the American Humane Association of animal mistreatment and condoning animal mistreatment, a tactic which {{Update inline span|resulted in a $10 million suit against him and the UAAR|reason=What was the outcome of the lawsuit?|date=January 2022}} for libel, slander, and invasion of privacy.[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20121207,00.html Speaking Up for 'Abused' Animals, Bob Barker Is Hit with a Lawsuit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192827/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20121207,00.html |date=March 3, 2016}} – People, September 18, 1989, Vol. 32, No. 12.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/08/31/bob-barker-is-sued/f5b2010d-50ff-4790-9800-0beefb61071d/ |title=Bob Barker is Sued |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 30, 1989}} The suit was finally settled by the insurer in 1994.{{cite book|last=Guither|first=Harold D|title=Animal Rights: History and Scope of a Radical Social Movement|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=231b9jGgqN4C&pg=PA174|year=1998|publisher=SIU Press|isbn=978-0-8093-2199-5|page=174}}

Barker founded DJ&T Foundation in 1994, named after his late wife and mother, which has contributed millions of dollars to animal-neutering programs[https://variety.com/2006/scene/news/host-s-passion-for-pets-more-bit-than-bark-1117950232/ Host's passion for pets more bit than bark] – Variety Sunday September 17, 2006 and funded animal rescue and park facilities all over the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.christinepalma.com/2007/06/08/bob-barker-host-of-price-is-right-retires-after-50-years/ |title=Bob Barker host of 'Price Is Right' retires after 50 years |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211034431/http://www.christinepalma.com/2007/06/08/bob-barker-host-of-price-is-right-retires-after-50-years/ |date=June 8, 2007 |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |first=Christine |last=Palma |url-status=dead}} In 2004, Barker donated $1 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|1|2004|r=1|fmt=c}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) to Columbia Law School to support the study of animal rights.{{cite web|date=December 2004|title=Columbia Law School: Bob Barker Gives Law School $1 Million for Animal Rights Law |url=http://www.law.columbia.edu/media_inquiries/news_events/2005_older/2004/nov/bobbarker_gift |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624024624/http://www.law.columbia.edu/media_inquiries/news_events/2005_older/2004/nov/bobbarker_gift|archive-date=June 24, 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |publisher=Law.columbia.edu}}

In 2009, Barker wrote a letter about three businesses in Cherokee, North Carolina, asking them to close their bear exhibits.{{cite web |url=https://www.theonefeather.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/6-24-20091.pdf |title=TV Icon Objects to Bear Exhibits in Cherokee |date=June 24, 2009 |first=Scott |last=McKie |publisher=The Cherokee One Feather |access-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623113349/https://www.theonefeather.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/6-24-20091.pdf |url-status=dead}} He threatened to not attend the 2009 Game Show Awards, where Barker was to receive a lifetime achievement award, because Betty White would be attending. Although Barker had previously worked with White, he was feuding with her over the treatment of an elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo. White instead did not attend and pre-recorded her comments that she was scheduled to make about another awardee, Mark Goodson.{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Danny |title=Bob Barker almost a no-show at Game Show Awards because of feud with Betty White |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/05/30/bob-barker-almost-a-no-show-at-game-show-awards-because-of-feud/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602025345/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/05/30/bob-barker-almost-a-no-show-at-game-show-awards-because-of-feud/ |archive-date=June 2, 2009|access-date=September 4, 2012 |date=May 30, 2009|publisher=Tvsquad.com}} That same year, Barker donated $1 million (equivalent to $1.4 million in 2021) to the University of Virginia Law School to support the study of animal rights. He made similar donations to Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, Duke University School of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, and University of California, Los Angeles.{{cite news |first=Martha |last=Neil |date=January 13, 2009 |work=ABA Journal |url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/the_price_is_right_bob_barker_gives_1m_for_new_animal_law_program_at_virgin |title=The Price is Right: Bob Barker Gives $1M for New Animal Law Program at Virginia}}

In 2010, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society announced that it had purchased and outfitted a ship to interdict Japanese whaling operations in the Southern Ocean using $5 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|5|2010|r=1|fmt=c}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) provided by Barker. The ship was then named the MY Bob Barker, and its existence was first revealed when it helped discover the location of the Japanese whaling fleet.{{cite news |url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100105-1.html |title=The Time is Right for Bob Barker to Rescue the Whales |date=January 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721235545/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-100105-1.html |archive-date=July 21, 2010 |publisher=Sea Shepherd Conservation Society}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/world/a-renegade-trawler-hunted-for-10000-miles-by-vigilantes.html |first=Ian |last=Urbina |title=A Renegade Trawler, Hunted for 10,000 Miles by Vigilantes |work=The New York Times |date=July 28, 2015 |access-date=October 1, 2020}}

Barker participated in several PETA public service announcements over the years, including one that claimed that vegan diets prevent Alzheimer's disease. In 2010, he donated $2.5 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|2.5|2010|r=1|fmt=c}} million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) toward the purchase of office space for the organization in Los Angeles. The Bob Barker Building opened in 2012.{{Cite news |url=https://abc7.com/archive/8573763/ |title=Bob Barker Building will be PETA's West Coast hub |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |date=March 9, 2012}}

In the late 1980s, Barker accused the American Humane Society and the United Activists for Animal Rights of condoning animal cruelty on the set of Project X and in several other media projects on the basis of allowing a cattle prod and a gun on set, and a rumored beating of a chimpanzee on set. American Humane responded by suing Barker for $10 million, citing libel, slander and invasion of privacy.{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20121207,00.html |title=Speaking Up for 'Abused' Animals, Bob Barker Is Hit with a Lawsuit |work=People |date=September 18, 1989 |access-date=February 28, 2013 |author1=Lucinda Smith |author2=Leah Feldon |author3=Eleanor Hoover }} American Humane claimed that there had been a two-year "vendetta" against them behind the accusations.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19890830&id=kPwRAAAAIBAJ&pg=5267,6009396 |title=Game Show Host Sued For Libel |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |date=August 31, 1989 |agency =Associated Press |access-date=February 28, 2013 |page=A7}} In a series of public advertisements along with the lawsuit, American Humane responded to Barker's claims that his allegations were made based on insufficient and misleading information. The suit was eventually settled by Barker's insurance company, which paid American Humane $300,000.{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF66A158B43F4AC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Animal Board Official Seeks Conflict-of-Interest Probe |date=March 30, 1994 |access-date=March 4, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News}}

In 1994, former model Dian Parkinson filed a lawsuit against Barker alleging sexual harassment following a three-year affair while working on The Price Is Right. Parkinson, who alleged that she was extorted by threats of firing, later dropped her lawsuit, claiming the stress from the ordeal was damaging her health.{{cite web|url=http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/dian-parkinson/bio |title=Dian Parkinson Bio |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213073820/http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/dian-parkinson/bio |archivedate=December 13, 2007}}

In 1995, model Holly Hallstrom left The Price Is Right and later filed suit against Barker, alleging that the reason she was fired was not so much because of her {{convert|14|lbs|adj=on}} medication-mediated weight gain (as documented) but because, to Barker's displeasure, she refused to give false information to the media regarding Parkinson's suit, as she alleges Barker had requested she do. Barker countersued for slander, but Hallstrom prevailed, receiving a settlement in 2005.{{Cite magazine|last=Romero|first=Frances|date=September 12, 2011|title='Price is Right' Model Lawsuit: Latest in a History of Harassment Claims|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/09/12/price-is-right-model-lawsuit-latest-in-a-history-of-harassment-claims/|access-date=March 17, 2021|issn=0040-781X}}

In October 2007, Deborah Curling, a CBS employee assigned to The Price Is Right, filed a lawsuit against CBS, Bob Barker, and The Price Is Right producers, claiming that she was forced to quit her job after testifying against Barker in a wrongful-termination lawsuit brought by a previous show producer. Curling claimed that she was demoted to an "intolerable work environment" backstage, which caused her to leave the job. Curling, who is black, also alleged that the show's producers, including Barker, created a hostile work environment in which black employees and contestants were discriminated against.{{cite news|title="Price Is Right" Employee Sues Bob Barker, Producers|agency=Associated Press|date=October 5, 2007|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299553,00.html|publisher=Fox News|location=New York City|access-date=October 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025045626/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299553,00.html|archive-date=October 25, 2007|url-status=dead}} A few months later, Barker was removed from the lawsuit, and in September 2009, the lawsuit was dismissed. Curling's attorney stated that he planned to appeal the dismissal of the lawsuit.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theinsider.com/news/1114222_Barker_removed_from_wrongful_termination_suit|title=Barker removed from wrongful termination suit}}{{cite web|date=September 18, 2009|title=Bob Barker, 'Price is Right' lawsuit tossed|url=http://login.vnuemedia.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i0d52172227325f28c1048f750ef97812|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018105421/http://login.vnuemedia.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i0d52172227325f28c1048f750ef97812|archive-date=October 18, 2015|access-date=September 18, 2009|publisher=TRH.com}} In January 2012, the California Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal.{{cite web|title=Curling v. CBS Broadcasting Inc. |url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20CACO%2020120124032 |access-date=October 1, 2014}}

On September 16, 1999, Barker was in Washington, D.C., to testify before Congress regarding proposed legislation that would ban captive elephants from traveling shows, such as circuses. While preparing for the presentation, Barker experienced what he called clumsiness in his right hand. Barker was admitted to George Washington University Hospital and diagnosed with a partially blocked left carotid artery. He underwent carotid endarterectomy to remove the blockage. The procedure went well enough that Barker was able to return to work within the month.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/1999/09/21/bob-barker-ok-after-3-hr-surgery/|title=Bob Barker okay after 3-hr surgery|work=New York Post|location=New York City|date=September 21, 1999|access-date=July 3, 2018}}

Three years later, Barker had two additional health crises after taping the 30th-season finale of The Price is Right. While lying in the sun on May 30, 2002, he experienced a stroke and was hospitalized; six weeks later, on July 11, Barker underwent prostate surgery. Both hospitalizations occurred at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. and both surgeries were successful.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/about/justin/rroddy_medicalupdate.shtml |title=Rod Roddy Medical Update |publisher=CBS |access-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000744/http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/about/justin/rroddy_medicalupdate.shtml |archive-date=October 1, 2007}}

Barker had several mild bouts with skin cancer, a result of his frequent tanning. Barker consulted a dermatologist regularly to make sure any cancers were caught and removed before they spread; they did not pose a threat to his life. During a televised interview, Barker told viewers, "I urge anyone who has spent some time in the sun, whether you're doing it now or not, go to a dermatologist once a year."{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-barker-has-skin-cancer-again/|title=Bob Barker Has Skin Cancer Again|publisher=CBS News|location=New York City|date=February 11, 2009|access-date=September 4, 2012}}

On October 20, 2015, two police officers passing Barker's Los Angeles-area home saw him trip and fall on a sidewalk. They called an ambulance which took him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where Barker received stitches for an injured forehead and was released; he also hurt his left knee.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/us/bob-barker-hospitalized|title=Bob Barker, TV legend, ex-'Price Is Right' host, recovering after fall|publisher=CNN|location=Atlanta|date=October 22, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2017}}

Barker slipped and hit his head at home on June 19, 2017. His maid drove him to the emergency room, where Barker was checked and released. His representative said it was not as serious as his earlier fall.{{cite news|url=https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2017/06/19/bob-barker-recovering-after-slipping-and-hitting-his-head/22489721/|last=Kline|first=J.|title=Bob Barker recovering after slipping and hitting his head at home|work=AOL|publisher=Verizon Media|location=New York City|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017}} In October and November 2018, Barker was rushed to the hospital for severe back pain.{{cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/10/22/bob-barker-hospital-ambulance-back-pain-price-is-right/|title=Bob Barker: Rushed To Hospital ... Serious Back Pain|author=|work=TMZ|publisher=Warner Bros.|location=Los Angeles|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=January 24, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/11/18/bob-barker-rushed-to-hospital-again-ambulance-back-pain/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120135539/http://www.tmz.com/2018/11/18/bob-barker-rushed-to-hospital-again-ambulance-back-pain/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 20, 2018|title=Bob Barker: Rushed To The Hospital Again ... For Severe Back Pain|author=|work=TMZ|publisher=Warner Bros.|location=Los Angeles|date=November 18, 2018|access-date=January 24, 2019}} Barker suffered another fall in January 2019, but he was not hospitalized.{{cite news| last = Bueno| first = Antoinette| date = January 24, 2019| title = Bob Barker Home Resting After Paramedics Are Called to Check on Him Over a Fall.| newspaper = Entertainment Tonight | url = https://www.etonline.com/bob-barker-home-resting-after-paramedics-are-called-to-check-on-him-over-a-fall-118074| access-date = September 6, 2023}}

Barker's last public interview was with People in August 2021, in which he discussed The Price Is Right's upcoming 50th season on air.{{Cite web |last=Strohm |first=Emily |date=August 18, 2021 |title=Bob Barker, 97, Reflects on The Price Is Right as Season 50 Approaches: 'There Was Much to Love' |url=https://people.com/tv/bob-barker-reflects-on-the-price-is-right-as-season-50-approaches/ |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=People |language=en}} As of 2022, Burnet stated that other than some non-prescription supplements such as collagen and a meal replacement drink to replenish nutrients not found naturally in Barker's vegetarian diet, he took only one prescription medication for hypothyroidism.{{Cite web |last=Hume |first=Ashley |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Bob Barker's longtime girlfriend Nancy Burnet shares an update on 'The Price is Right' icon as he turns 99 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/bob-barker-longtime-girlfriend-nancy-burnet-shares-update-on-the-price-is-right-icon-as-he-turns-99 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |publisher=Fox News |language=en-US}}

On August 26, 2023, Barker died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 99{{cite web|url=https://abc7.com/bob-barker-obituary-price-is-right-game-show-host/13704249/|title=Bob Barker, longtime host of 'The Price Is Right' and animal rights activist, dies at 99|date=August 26, 2023|website=ABC7 Los Angeles}} following several years with Alzheimer's disease, a condition that Burnet and Barker's publicity team had kept hidden from the public.{{cite web |last1=Barnhardt |first1=Adam |title=Price Is Right Host Bob Barker's Cause of Death Revealed |url=https://comicbook.com/irl/news/bob-barker-price-is-right-cause-of-death-revealed/ |website=comicbook.com |access-date=September 5, 2023}} Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hypothyroidism were listed as secondary causes of death.{{Cite news |title='Price is Right' host Bob Barker's cause of death revealed as Alzheimer's disease: Reports |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/09/05/bob-barker-cause-of-death-alzheimers/70770555007/ |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} Barker was interred alongside his wife at Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/stars-buried-forest-lawn-cemetery/|title=Celebrities Buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood|website=Peoplemag}}

In addition to the game shows for which he became famous, Barker also hosted the annual/biennial Pillsbury Bake-Off (the bake-off occurred every two years starting in 1976). In 1978, he was the first host to have a male category champ.{{cite web |url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/98/Bob-Barker.html |title=Filmreference Bob Barker Biography (1923–) |publisher=Film Reference |access-date=September 4, 2012}} For several years during the 1970s and 1980s, he also co-hosted CBS's coverage of the Rose Parade from Pasadena, California. On September 7, 2009, Barker was a special guest host for WWE Raw (called "The Price is Raw") in Rosemont, Illinois.{{cite web |url=http://www.pwnewsnow.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1251732972&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6 |title=Bob Barker to Host WWE Raw on September 7 in Chicago |publisher=Pwnewsnow.com |date=August 31, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305065626/http://www.pwnewsnow.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1251732972&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6 |archive-date=March 5, 2012}} Aired during a period when nearly every episode of the weekly wrestling show featured a celebrity guest host, with mixed results, Barker's appearance has been ranked the best of nearly 80 hosts.{{cite web |last1=Matthews |first1=Graham |title=Ranking Every Guest Host in WWE Raw History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2102763-ranking-every-guest-host-in-wwe-raw-history |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=February 19, 2021}} Barker also agreed to be a rotating guest co-host on The Huckabee Show, a daily TV talk show hosted by Mike Huckabee. Barker first appeared on the show on July 29, 2010.{{cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/generalities/mike_huckabee_talks_syndicated_show_as_bob_barker_comes_on_down_168762.asp |title=Mike Huckabee Talks Syndicated Show as Bob Barker 'Comes On Down' |publisher=Mediabistro.com |date=July 26, 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730105355/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/generalities/mike_huckabee_talks_syndicated_show_as_bob_barker_comes_on_down_168762.asp |archive-date=July 30, 2010}}

Barker's fame from his television hosting roles also saw him become a popular guest on other shows, including as a semi-regular panelist on the game shows Tattletales (1975–1976, with wife Dorothy Jo) and Match Game (1973–1980). Barker sat in Richard Dawson's former place during the first week after Dawson permanently left Match Game. Barker also made appearances on various talk shows such as: Dinah!, Larry King Live, The Arsenio Hall Show, Crook & Chase, Donny & Marie, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Wayne Brady Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Barker often appeared in fiction as himself, usually in a cameo appearance, in shows including The Nanny, The Bold and the Beautiful,{{Cite web |last=Levinsky |first=Mara |date=April 30, 2023 |title=Five Things That Happened On April 30 In Soap History |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/five-things-that-happened-on-april-30-in-soap-history3/ |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} Futurama, {{Cite web |year=2013 |title=Bob Barker |url=https://www.metacritic.com/person/bob-barker/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |publisher=Metacritic |language=en}} and How I Met Your Mother.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=2007-04-27 |title=How I Met Bob Barker |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/27/how-i-met-bob-barker |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=IGN |language=en}} In 1996, Barker played himself in the Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore. In one scene, Barker beats up Gilmore after an altercation arising from their teaming up in a Pro-Am Golf Tournament. According to Sandler, the original choice for that scene was Ed McMahon, but Sandler said that McMahon was not fond of the script and they got Barker because of Chuck Norris training Barker in the martial arts.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/28/bob-barker-happy-gilmore-fight/|title=How Bob Barker knocked out one of the most famous 'Happy Gilmore' scenes|first=Jonathan |last=Edwards|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 28, 2023|accessdate=August 28, 2023}} In 2007, during a CBS prime-time special commemorating Barker's career, the fight scene from Happy Gilmore was shown, after which Sandler made a surprise appearance on stage to read a poem paying tribute to Barker.{{cite web |title=Ode to Bob Barker with Adam Sandler |url=http://www.metatube.com/en/videos/6516/Ode-to-Bob-Barker-with-Adam-Sandler/ |access-date=November 3, 2017 |date=December 10, 2007}} In 2015, during Comedy Central's "Night of Too Many Stars" benefit show to battle autism, Barker and Sandler reunited for a video featuring the two of them in a follow-up fight at the hospital, which ends with both of them dying and going to heaven.{{cite web |title=Adam Sandler vs. Bob Barker – Uncensored – Night of Too Many Stars |url=http://www.cc.com/video-clips/hs7ja6/night-of-too-many-stars-adam-sandler-vs--bob-barker---uncensored |website=Comedy Central |access-date=November 3, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015010/http://www.cc.com/video-clips/hs7ja6/night-of-too-many-stars-adam-sandler-vs--bob-barker---uncensored |url-status=dead}}

However, Barker did play characters apart from himself in Bonanza, as a character named Mort in the 1960 episode "Denver McKee", and as a small business owner named Bob Barnacle in "Sanctuary!", an episode of the Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants.{{cite news |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/39-spongebob-squarepants-39-sneak-peek-bob-1277495686053942.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma |work=Yahoo |title='SpongeBob SquarePants' Sneak Peek: Bob Barker Comes to the (Snail) Rescue |date=October 14, 2015}}

About one year after his retirement from The Price Is Right, 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.{{YouTube|0h56EHBWrtg}} {{dead link|date=September 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dtvanswers.com/dtv_30spots.html |title=DTV Action Spots |publisher=DTV Answers |date=June 12, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2012}} He later appeared in a commercial for State Farm Insurance's "Magic Jingle" campaign, where he made "a new car!" appear for a woman whose previous car was totaled by a giant concrete cylinder.{{YouTube|7pOC29Dv894|State Farm® Commercial "Magic Jingle Bob Barker"}}. State Farm's official YouTube account. Retrieved February 25, 2011. {{dead link |date=January 2022}} In another TV advertisement, Barker endorsed David Jolly, a candidate for the Republican Party nomination for the 2014 Florida's 13th congressional district special election. Jolly won the nomination and ultimately won the seat.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/12/bob-barker-says-the-choice-is-right/?hpt=hp_t3 |publisher=CNN |title=Bob Barker says 'the choice is right'|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131216105938/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/12/12/bob-barker-says-the-choice-is-right/?hpt=hp_t3|archive-date = December 16, 2013 |date=December 12, 2013}}

Barker was honored after his death with an hour-long TV special celebrating his life. It aired on August 31, 2023.{{cite web |title=Bob Barker to be honored with hour-long CBS special following "The Price is Right" legend's death - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-barker-honored-cbs-special-price-is-right/ |publisher=CBS News |access-date=September 1, 2023 |date=August 29, 2023}}

• Overall 19-time winner:
• 14-time winner of Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host, as host of The Price Is Right{{efn|name=fn1|Won the last of 14 Emmys for Game Show Host, and last of 4 Emmys for overall Game Show, at the 2007 Daytime Emmy Awards, which ran the same day —June 15, 2007 —as his last The Price Is Right episode aired, which had taped on June 6, 2007}}
• 4-time winner of Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show, as executive producer of The Price Is Right{{efn|name=fn1}}{{efn|name=fn2|nominations and wins included one or two producers each year, and the director in 2007}}
• Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the 1999 Daytime Emmy Awards{{cite web|url=https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2007/06/17/bob-barker-wins-his-19th-daytime-emmy-award/31207857007/ |title=Bob Barker wins his 19th Daytime Emmy Award |publisher=Ocala.com |date=June 17, 2007 |accessdate=August 26, 2023}}

• 2009 Slammy Award for Best Guest Host.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/3009-full-list-of-2009-slammy-award-winners/|title=Full list of 2009 Slammy Award winners|date=December 15, 2009}}

• Bob Barker Studio at CBS Television City named in his honor.{{cite news|title=Bob Barker Fast Facts|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/24/us/bob-barker-fast-facts/|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 10, 2014}}
• Time magazine's Greatest Game Show Host of All-Time{{Cite magazine|date=May 25, 2007|title=Bob Barker – 15 Best Game Show Hosts |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1624580_1624566_1624407,00.html|url-status=dead|access-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527142406/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1624580_1624566_1624407,00.html|archive-date=May 27, 2007}}
• GSN Lifetime Achievement Award

• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame{{cite web |last1=Lincoln |first1=Ross A. |last2=Roe |first2=Mike |title=Bob Barker, Original Host of 'The Price Is Right' and Animal Rights Activist, Dies at 99 |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bob-barker-price-is-right-original-host-dies/ |website=The Wrap |date=August 26, 2023 |access-date=August 26, 2023}}
• Television Hall of Fame (class of 2004).{{cite web|date=June 29, 2004|title=16th Annual Hall of Fame Honors Television Giants|url=http://www.emmys.tv/news/2004/june/hof.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041104230011/http://www.emmys.tv/news/2004/june/hof.php|archive-date=November 4, 2004|access-date=September 4, 2012|publisher=Emmys.tv}}
• NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame (class of 2008).{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtechnology.com/pages/s.0096/t.13007.html|title=Broadcasters Tell Bob Barker to 'Come on Down!' |access-date=April 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516195130/http://www.tvtechnology.com/pages/s.0096/t.13007.html |archive-date=May 16, 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://video.accesshollywood.com/player/?id=240884 |title='The Price Is Right' For Billy Bush |publisher=Access Hollywood |date=August 15, 2007 |access-date=September 4, 2012}} {{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

Barker's autobiography, Priceless Memories, written with former Los Angeles Times book review editor Digby Diehl, was published on April 6, 2009.{{cite book |last=Barker |first=Bob |author2=Digby Diehl|title=Priceless Memories |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3gwv8Jfdgz0C |year=2009 |location=New York |publisher=Center Street |isbn=9781600245534 |oclc=243605800}}

• List of animal rights advocates

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• {{IMDb name|id=0054837|name=Bob Barker}}
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{{Succession box|before = Peter Marshall|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 1982|after = Betty White}}

{{Succession box|before = Betty White|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 1984|after = Dick Clark}}

{{Succession box|before = Dick Clark|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 1987–88|after = Alex Trebek}}

{{Succession box|before = Alex Trebek|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 1990–92
(tie with Alex Trebek in 1990)|after = Pat Sajak}}

{{Succession box|before = Pat Sajak|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 1994–96|after = Pat Sajak}}

{{Succession box|before = Ben Stein and Jimmy Kimmel|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 2000
(tie with Tom Bergeron)|after = Regis Philbin}}

{{Succession box|before = Regis Philbin|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 2002|after = Alex Trebek}}

{{Succession box|before = Alex Trebek|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 2004|after = Meredith Vieira}}

{{Succession box|before = Alex Trebek|title = Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|years = 2007|after = Alex Trebek}}

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