Hey there, friend. Let me tell you a story about one of the most iconic figures in television history—Bob Barker. You might know him as the suave, charming host of The Price Is Right. But there’s so much more to this guy than just game shows. For instance, did you know that in 1984, during a live episode, a contestant's key got stuck in a prize box's lock? Without missing a beat, Bob gave that lock a swift kick, breaking it clean in two. “I learned that kick from Chuck Norris,” he quipped with a sly grin. Classic Bob.

A Life Well-Lived

Bob Barker, the beloved TV icon who passed away on August 26, just a few months shy of his 100th birthday, was more than just a game show host. Over his 35-year run on The Price Is Right, he called out “Come on down!” to over 40,000 contestants. But here’s the kicker—his proudest achievement wasn’t even tied to show business. It was his advocacy for animal welfare. “When he started signing off the show by urging people to spay or neuter their pets, he didn’t realize the ripple effect it would have,” says his companion of 40 years, Nancy Burnet. Since the 1990s, the number of shelter pets euthanized in America has plummeted. “That made him very happy,” Nancy shares with a warm smile.

Growing Up in the Old West

Bob spent much of his childhood in Mission, South Dakota, where his mother taught at a Native American reservation. He was one-eighth Sioux from his father’s side, and he often said, “It was like I was growing up in the Old West.” After serving in the Navy during WWII, Bob used a college basketball scholarship to further his education. But his journey didn’t stop there. By the mid-1940s, he was making waves in radio and was already married to his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon, whom he met at the tender age of 15. “She was the love of my life,” Bob fondly remembered.

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From Radio to Television

As the host of The Bob Barker Show on radio, Bob was a natural with his audience. His quick wit and ability to ad-lib caught the eye of the creator of Truth or Consequences, who offered him a job hosting on television in 1956. For the next 18 years, Truth or Consequences became the number-one show in daytime, all thanks to Bob’s upbeat and fun-loving personality. But that was just the beginning. In 1972, he took on The Price Is Right, cementing his status as one of television’s most visible and beloved personalities. Alongside his game shows, Bob also hosted the Rose Parade, the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants, and the Pillsbury Bake-Off. “In front of the camera, he was just a natural. He enjoyed it so much,” Nancy reflects. “It was a great blessing for him to be able to spend his life doing something he truly loved.”

A Heart for Animals

Bob’s passion for animal rights was deeply influenced by his wife, Dorothy. “She was ahead of her time. She stopped wearing fur coats before anyone else did,” Bob said. “She became a vegetarian long before it was popular, and I gradually followed her lead.” In 1982, Bob began using his platform on The Price Is Right to encourage viewers to spay or neuter their pets. This simple message sparked a movement that has saved countless lives.

Loss and Love

Tragedy struck in 1981 when Dorothy was diagnosed with lung cancer. She passed away just six months later, leaving Bob heartbroken. “I went into this deep depression and was a totally different person for two to three years,” admitted Bob’s half-brother, Kent Valandra. But life has a way of surprising us. In 1983, Bob met Nancy Burnet at an animal adoption event. “I went over to her, introduced myself, and explained that I was trying to find a good home for the dog I had on the leash. Then I asked her if she was married or single,” Bob recalled in his 2009 memoir, Priceless Memories. The pair, both committed to animal rights, formed a bond that lasted 40 years. However, they never married. “When we first met, Bob said he was never going to remarry, and I said, ‘Perfect, I have no interest in getting married,’” Nancy explains. Despite this, their commitment to each other was unwavering. As Bob’s health began to decline after a fall in 2015, Nancy was by his side, managing every detail of his care. “I took care of every single thing, down to how to comb his hair,” Nancy says, revealing Bob’s enduring dedication to his appearance. “He was very particular and felt like he should always be the host.”

Legacy and Philanthropy

Even as his health waned, Bob never stopped giving back. He has willed the bulk of his fortune to “humane organizations and military charities,” Nancy reveals. His final days were peaceful and filled with love. Now, the life and career of this TV legend will be celebrated in a special exhibit at the Hollywood Museum. As Bob once said, “On our show, we don’t solve the problems of the world. But hopefully, we can help people forget their problems for an hour.”