Peter Marshall (entertainer)

2.1. Childhood and Family

Born Ralph Pierre LaCock on March 30, 1926, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Marshall was the son of Ralph and Jean LaCock, both involved in the entertainment industry. A pivotal moment in his childhood occurred when he was 10 years old, following his father's suicide. This event led to his relocation to New York City to live with his mother, who worked as a costume designer. His elder sister, Joan, also pursued a career in entertainment, becoming the acclaimed film and television actress known as Joanne Dru. Dru was notable for her roles in classic films such as Red River, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and All the King's Men. Peter Marshall adopted his stage name, given to him by John Robert Powers, early in his career, pairing the surname Marshall (which Powers had initially chosen for his sister) with an anglicized version of his middle name.

2.2. Military Service

After graduating from high school, Marshall was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 during World War II. He was stationed in Italy, initially serving in the artillery. However, his talents were soon recognized, and he was recruited to serve as a disc jockey at a radio station in Naples. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of staff sergeant.

3.1. Early Career

In the 1950s, Marshall began his professional journey as part of a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan. Together, they performed in numerous nightclubs and appeared on television variety shows. His early acting credits included roles in films such as Starlift (1951), The Rookie (1959), and Swingin' Along (1962). He also made appearances in syndicated television series, including the 1958 episode "The Big Hoax" of Harbor Command. In 1963, he guest-starred as Lucy's brother-in-law, Hughie, in The Lucy Show episode "Lucy's Sister Pays A Visit".

3.2. Hosting "The Hollywood Squares"

Despite his early work in film and television, Marshall struggled to find consistent employment in the industry until a recommendation from his friend Morey Amsterdam led him to a pivotal opportunity. In 1966, Marshall was chosen to host the game show The Hollywood Squares, filling in for Bert Parks, who had emceed the pilot. Marshall initially had reservations about taking the job but ultimately accepted it to prevent rival comedian Dan Rowan from securing the position. His animosity towards Rowan stemmed from an incident where Rowan had shown disrespect to Tommy Noonan, Marshall's comedy partner, when Noonan was terminally ill in the mid-1960s, in stark contrast to Dick Martin's support. Marshall anticipated a brief 13-week stint as host before returning to Broadway. However, his tenure extended for an impressive 15 years, during which he hosted over 5,000 episodes. The show concluded its network run in 1980, with production continuing in syndication until 1981.

3.3. Broadcasting Activities

Following his successful run on The Hollywood Squares, Marshall continued to be a prominent figure in broadcasting. He hosted his own syndicated music and comedy series, The Peter Marshall Variety Show, which aired during the 1976-1977 television season in various markets across the United States. He also made a guest appearance in the television series CHiPs in 1977. He remained active in the game show circuit, appearing on Fantasy (1982) alongside co-host Leslie Uggams, All-Star Blitz (1985), Yahtzee (1988), and Reel to Reel (1998). In 1994, he participated in the "East Hollywood Squares" skit on the sketch comedy series In Living Color. In 1986, Marshall portrayed Bob Kenny, a game show host accused of murder, in the "To Live and Die on TV" episode of Sledge Hammer!.

In 1989, Marshall hosted the unaired pilot for 3rd Degree!. However, when the series was picked up for syndication, producer Bert Convy decided to host the show himself, replacing Marshall without prior notification. Marshall subsequently filed a lawsuit against Convy, but later withdrew it after Convy's diagnosis with terminal brain cancer became public. In 2002, Marshall made a return to a new iteration of The Hollywood Squares, appearing as a panelist during a special Game Show Week hosted by Tom Bergeron. He occupied the central square, a prestigious position on the show. For one day during that week, Marshall resumed his familiar role at the podium as host, with Bergeron taking his place in the center square.

3.4. Radio and Other Activities

Beyond television, Marshall maintained a significant presence in radio, hosting a popular mid-day show for over 15 years on the Music of Your Life radio network. He also co-hosted a successful infomercial with singer Debby Boone for the Music of Your Life Collection, a compilation of hit songs from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. This infomercial was re-released in 2016 after selling over a million CDs.

In 1979, Marshall showcased his singing talent by performing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the Indianapolis 500. That same year, he played Dr. Todd Gardner, a best-selling author, on an episode of The Love Boat. In 1982, he had a small role as radio announcer Bert Healy in the film adaptation of Annie.

Marshall authored a book about his experiences, Backstage With The Original Hollywood Square, which was published in 2002. In 2006, he appeared as himself in Moments to Remember: My Music. In 2008, he appeared in Pioneers of TV. In 2009, he appeared on television promoting compact disc collections of Big Band era hits and hosted The Big Band Years, a two-hour PBS special. In 2010, Marshall, along with fellow game show legends Monty Hall and Wink Martindale, appeared with their wives on a special "Game Show Legend" version of The Newlywed Game, hosted by Bob Eubanks. The Martindales won the game.

In 2012, Marshall hosted a memorial service in Branson, Missouri, for singer Andy Williams. In 2014, he returned to his home state of West Virginia to host four games of The West Virginia Squares as part of Charleston's FestivALL. This special game, which featured questions about the state's history, included notable West Virginia figures like Joyce Dewitt and Landon Murphy. In 2017, he narrated the Rose Marie documentary film Wait for Your Laugh. Marshall officially retired from the entertainment industry in 2021, following a bout with COVID-19.

3.5. Theater Activities

Marshall made significant contributions to the performing arts through his work in musical theater. His Broadway credits include roles in Skyscraper and La Cage aux Folles. In 1962, he appeared in the London West End production of the musical Bye Bye Birdie. This musical, a satire on 1950s American popular culture, was inspired by Elvis Presley's draft notice into the Army. Marshall played the lead character of Albert Peterson, who writes a song for the pop-singing sensation Conrad Birdie (portrayed by Marty Wilde), opposite the legendary Chita Rivera. The production enjoyed a successful run of 268 performances.

3.6. Selected Filmography