Original ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host Chuck Woolery Passes Away at 83

Abe Finklestein | November 24, 2024 | Abe unplugged | No Comments

Legendary game show host Chuck Woolery — best known for being the first host of “Wheel of Fortune” — has passed away … TMZ has confirmed.

Chuck’s longtime friend and podcast cohost Mark Young tells TMZ … he was at Chuck’s home in Texas when Chuck said he wasn’t feeling well and went to lie down.

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He came back to the room a short time later and said he was having trouble breathing. 911 was called, but Woolery did not make it.

Game show enthusiasts will be very familiar with Chuck’s work … with Woolery’s big break coming in 1975 when he became the first host of “Wheel of Fortune.”

He hosted the show until 1981 when he left due to a salary dispute and Pat Sajak took over the job. He went on to host “Love Connection,” “Scrabble” and a revival of “The Dating Game.”

Woolery made appearances as himself on a few different TV shows over the years … including the movie “Cold Feet” and the sitcoms “227” and “Scrubs.” He also had a small music career, playing mostly country.