| Jim Perry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name: | James Edward Perry |
| Born: | November 9, 1933 |
| Birth Hometown: | Camden, New Jersey |
| Died: | November 20, 2015 (age 82) |
| Place of death: | Eagle Point, Oregon |
| Occupation: | Host |
| Years active: | 1960-1990 |
| Known for: | Hosting the NBC-TV game shows Card Sharks and Sale of the Century |
Jim Perry (born James Edward Dooley) (born November 9, 1933, from Camden, New Jersey; died November 20, 2015, in Eagle Point, Oregon) was an American television host. Perry was known as the host of the original NBC format of Card Sharks and the 1980s format of Sale of the Century. In addition to hosting in America, he also hosted game shows in Canada, including Definition & Headline Hunters. Jim is also known as the host of the Miss Canada pageant in the 1970s and 1980s.
Bibliography[]
- Perry's first major American network hosting tenure came in 1967, with a short-lived charades-type game called It's Your Move. The series was produced in Canada for syndication in the United States. Another game show also produced in Canada for syndicated TV in the U.S., The Moneymakers (a game based on Bingo), aired in 1969, originally titled Bingo at Home, in which contestants and home viewers had a chance to win money (albeit less than $100 at a time) and in some years his co-host was Dominique Dufour, Miss Canada 1981.
- Jim retired from television and lived with his wife, June, splitting their time between Florida and North Carolina. In recent years he authored two self-awareness books, and appeared in a few infomercials (mostly produced by his daughter Erin and fellow game show host Pat Finn). His last television appearance was on CNBC in the late 1990s to discuss one of his books. Jim and June had previously lived in Ashland, Oregon, after leaving Southern California in the 1990s.
Trivia[]
- When Card Sharks made its 1986 return, Jim was considered for both the network and syndicated runs. Due to Sale being on nighttime and daytime and Definition in Canada, he was unable to return; the roles instead went to Bob Eubanks and Bill Rafferty, respectively.
- The Sesame Street character and resident game show emcee "Guy Smiley" was modeled after Jim Perry, though not completely based on him.
Death[]
Jim passed away on November 20, 2015, at age 82 after a long battle with cancer.
Famous Catchphrases[]
"You took a chance, and it didn't/did not pay off."
"You took a chance, and it paid off."
"Yes indeed!"
"Very nicely done!"
"I must have an answer."
"You're right!"
"Clear the board!"
"Yours to keep, no matter how you finish in the game."
"Well done!"
"Going once... Going twice... No sale."
Shows hosted[]
- It's Your Move (1967)
- Bingo at Home aka Money Makers (1969)
- Eye Bet (1971, Canada only)
- Headline Hunters (1972-1983, Canada only)
- Definition (1975-1989, Canada only)
- Card Sharks (1978-1981)
- Twisters (1982 unsold pilot)
- Sale of the Century (1983-1989; also hosted the show's 1982 pilot)
- Cash Tornado (1993 unsold pilot)
Gallery[]
Memorial Tribute by GSN[]
