WIKIPEDIA
Colin Lionel Emm was born on November 20, 1932 in Gosport, Hampshire, England and is known for his role in 'Hogan's Heroes', as host of 'Family Feud' and panelist on 'Match Game'. His father was American and his mother was English. When he was fourteen years old he ran away from home to join the Merchant Marines where he pursued a boxing career. After his discharge, he began a comedy career under the name 'Dickie Dawson' and later took the legal name of 'Richard Dawson'. Richard had small roles in various TV shows and films and when he moved to Los Angeles took on his memorable role of 'Cpl Peter Newkirk' in 'Hogan's Heroes'. It was Richard who introduced fellow actor Bob Crane to John Henry Carpenter who worked with the video department at Sony Electronics and recorded Crane's sexual excapades on video tape. Carpenter was later implicated in Crane's unsolved murder. Richard was also a regular on Rowan and Martin's 'Laugh-In' during the 70's. In the 80's, he became the host of 'Family Feud' where he developed his trademark of kissing the contestants for good luck. After its cancellation, Richard returned to host a syndicated version in the early 90's and received a 25 second standing ovation that left him overwhelmed and close to tears. Richard 1st marriage was to Diana Dors, producing two sons, but ended in divorce. His second marriage was to Gretchen Johnson who had been a contestant on 'Family Feud' in 1981. They had a daughter, Shannon. Yesterday, Richard Dawson passed away from esophageal cancer. He was 79 years old. Find the connection!
