Back in 1966, The Hollywood Squares made its debut on NBC, with the one and only Peter Marshall at the helm. Peter held this iconic hosting role for a solid 15 years, until 1981. But his journey didn’t stop there. After his time on the game show, Peter continued to rack up acting credits, both on and off Broadway, before eventually stepping away from the limelight. Let’s take a closer look at the life and career of this beloved entertainer.
Peter Marshall’s Journey to Becoming the Iconic Host of 'The Hollywood Squares'
Peter’s career didn’t begin with game shows. Long before he became a household name, he was part of a comedy duo with Tommy Noonan, performing on TV and writing material for other comedy acts. In the early 1960s, Peter transitioned to theater, landing the role of Albert Peterson alongside the incredible Chita Rivera in the West End production of Bye Bye Birdie. It was during this time that Peter received an unexpected call to audition for The Hollywood Squares, a gig he never imagined he'd land.
"I was out playing golf when I got the call,” Peter told Closer in February 2022. “I didn’t think for a second they’d hire me, so I showed up to the audition in shorts. And then I went back to New York because I was set to star in Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Broadway.” But the producers saw something in Peter that he didn’t see in himself. They believed he was the perfect fit for the job, and they were right.
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Peter initially thought hosting the show would only be a temporary gig, planning to return to Broadway after just 13 weeks. But his natural charm and effortless banter with the guests quickly made The Hollywood Squares a major hit. The show became a fierce competitor in the game show world, all thanks to Peter’s unique hosting style.
"Hosting the show was a blast," Peter reminisced. "It didn’t feel like work at all. We’d tape a show, take a 15-minute break, then tape another one. We’d usually do five shows in just five hours. I didn’t even rehearse. I’d just come in, go over the questions, and that was it."
In 1981, the original run of The Hollywood Squares came to an end. Peter continued to act, taking roles in popular shows like CHiPs, The Love Boat, Hotel, and Automan. When the show was revived in 1986, original panelist John Davidson stepped into the hosting role.
Peter Marshall’s Later Years: A Life Filled with Family and Love
Throughout the 1990s, Peter made occasional appearances on TV, starring in shows like Burke’s Law, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and The Bold and the Beautiful. By 2021, Peter had officially retired from show business, choosing to focus on what mattered most: his family.
Peter and his first wife, Nadene R. Teaford, had four children: Pete LaCock, Suzanne LaCock, Jaime LaCock, and David LaCock. In August 2021, Peter shared the heartbreaking news of his son David’s passing, who died at the age of 68 due to complications from COVID-19.
