Bob Barker’s longtime girlfriend Nancy Burnet reacts to his death: ‘We were great friends over these 40 years’
Bob Barker’s longtime girlfriend, Nancy Burnet, is memorializing his legacy, following his death from natural causes, aged 99, Saturday.
Speaking of the legendary TV presenter, whom she began dating in 1983, the president of United Activists for Animal Rights, 79, said she was “so proud of the pioneering work” they had done together “to bring the expose cruelty to animals in the world’. Entertainment Industry.”
In addition, Burnet praised him for using his platform to “improve the lot of abused and exploited animals in the United States and internationally.”
“We were good friends for 40 years,” the mother-of-two said in a statement to Page Six about Barker. “He will be missed.”
Partners: Bob Barker’s longtime girlfriend, Nancy Burnet, commemorates his legacy, following his death from natural causes Saturday at age 99; pictured in 2000
Barker’s publicist, Roger Neal, confirmed he passed away peacefully at his Hollywood Hills home over the weekend.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that the greatest MC in the world to ever live, Bob Barker, has left us,” Neal said in a statement obtained by NBC news.
The star was a longtime host of the game show The Price Is Right, which began in 1972.
The show, which had been on the air since the 1950s and in decline, was revived by Barker, who was the face of the show until 2007.
Before that, Bob had taken over as host of Truth or Consequences in 1956.
Born Robert William Barker, the MC was born in Darrington, Washington, on December 12, 1923.
When he was six years old, he moved to Mission, South Dakota, to live with his mother on a Sioux Indian reservation, according to NBC.
The move came after Byron John Barker was tragically killed in an accident at work.
Supportive: Speaking about the legendary TV presenter, whom she began dating in 1983, the president of United Activists for Animal Rights, 79, said she was “so proud of the pioneering work ‘they had done together’ to expose cruelty to animals. in the entertainment industry’ (seen in 2007)
“We were good friends for 40 years,” the mother-of-two said in a statement to Page Six about Barker. ‘He will be missed’
His mother Matilda Kent Tarleton, who was a school teacher, moved to Missouri after she remarried.
Towards the end of World War II, Bob served two years in the Navy.
He then went back to Missouri, where he attended Drury College and earned a degree in economics.
From there, Barker was hired at a Florida radio station.
Moving to Burbank, California. In 1950, he ran a radio program called The Bob Barker Show.
Long career: The star hosted the game show The Price Is Right for many years; pictured in 1984
Six years later, Barker became host of Truth or Consequences and held the gig for 18 years until the show ended.
He held multiple jobs side-by-side, including hosting the Miss Universe and Miss America pageants for 20 years.
He was also a longtime presenter of the Rozenparade’s New Year’s Day tournament, starting in 1969.
Barker was once married to his high school sweetheart Dorothy Jo Gideon, from 1945 until her death in 1981.
He is survived by half-brother Kent Valandra, half-cousin Robert Valandra and Chip Valandra, and half-niece Vickie Valandra Kelly.
Throughout his career, Bob received 19 Daytime Emmys and an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.
Rest in Peace: Barker is survived by half-brother Kent Valandra, half-cousins Robert Valandra and Chip Valandra, and half-niece Vickie Valandra Kelly
In memoriam: Adam Sandler was one of the first to pay tribute to the late presenter, via Instagram with a collection of photos and a heartfelt caption
Bob, an animal rights activist, famously ended each episode of The Price Is Right urging the public to, “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.’
In 1995, he founded the charity DJ&T Foundation – named after his wife and her mother – which provided services to pet owners.
And when fur coats were awarded on The Price Is Right, he said he “went to (producer) Mark Goodson and told him I didn’t want to be on stage wearing these fur coats.”
“So he took fur coats out of our show,” Bob said in a 2013 CBS This Morning interview.
Adam Sandler was one of the first to pay tribute to the late host, posting a collection of photos and a heartfelt caption on Instagram.
‘The man. The myth. Best. Such a sweet, funny guy to deal with. I loved talking to him. I loved laughing with him. I loved that he kicked my ass,” he wrote.
The 56-year-old Big Daddy actor added: ‘He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. I always love Bob and his family! Thank you for everything you’ve given us!’
The post has so far been liked more than 210,000 times by Adam’s 18.8 million followers.
Tributes: Other messages in memory of Barker came from fans and celebrities alike, with one Twitter user writing, “It was exciting then to know that we could watch all the game shows when we were sick, and Bob was the consolation in that.
Parallel: Music artist Gretchen Keskeys compared him to entertainment legend Betty White
Classic: Rob Schneider remembered the role of Bob alongside Adam Sandler in the 1996 film Happy Gilmore
Legacy: Former Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury Department for Public Affairs called the host “an American institution”
‘Thanks for the memories’: A Twitter user named Jeff described Barker as the ‘GOAT’ or ‘greatest of all time’
Other posts remembering Barker came from fans and celebrities alike, with one Twitter user writing, “It was exciting at the time to know that we could watch all the game shows when we were sick, and Bob was the comfort in that. I’ll miss him.’
Actor Rob Schneider appeared online and wrote on Twitter: “One of the nicest things I’ve ever heard in show business was Bob Barker’s: ‘I moved to Hollywood to be an actor and the only person who ever let me do that was Adam Sandler! “‘
Commenting on an excerpt from the 1996 film Happy Gilmore, Schneider added, “This scene with them was and always will be absolutely hilarious!
“God bless you, Bob.”