One of the most well known game show hosts of the '70s and '80s lost his battle with cancer. Richard Dawson, the original host of Family Feud, died today at the age of 79. Dawson hosted one of television's  most popular game shows, Family Feud, until its cancellation in 1985.Richard Dawson was introduced to TV audiences on the 1960s  TV sitcom, Hogan's Heroes, and was a regular celebrity contestant on The Match Game.

While still a panelist on The Match Game, he began hosting Family Feud. From there, his popularity grew to such levels that he was mentioned as a front-runner to win the Tonight Show host chair, succeeding Johnny Carson.

Dawson won an Emmy in 1978 as best game host for Family Feud, and was famous for kissing every female contestant on Family Feud. If you were a fellow game show lover, you should have fond memories of Richard Dawson's charm and charisma on Match Game and Family Feud.

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