Chuck Woolery, ‘Love Connection’ and Original ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host, Dead at 83

November 25, 2024

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Chuck Woolery, former host of the dating game show Love Connection where singles attempt to match with a compatible partner and the original host of Wheel of Fortune, has passed away. He was 83 years old.

News of his passing hit the web Saturday (Nov. 23) and Chuck’s death was confirmed to TMZ by his podcast cohost and longtime friend Mark Young. According to Young, Chuck, who was at home with his wife in Texas, told his wife he was not feeling well and went to lie down. She went to check on him, noticed his labored breathing and called emergency services but sadly, he passed soon after.

She 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.

In 1975, Chuck became first official host of Wheel of Fortune where he remained for six years until a salary dispute eventually led to him leaving the show and being replaced by Pat Sajack, who became the face of the show for the next 41 years. Last year, Sajack announced 2024 would be his final year hosting the popular program.

“It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year,” Sajak said of his more than 8,000 episodes. “When I first started, I was so green. You made me so comfortable, you made me so confident, Pat,” White said. “You made me who I am. You really did.”

As for Woolery, he became a television legend courtesy of Love Connection. Taking the gig two years after leaving Wheel of Fortune, the dating show ran from 1983 to 1994, making it one of the longest lasting game shows in syndication.

His popularity on the show led to several appearances on TV shows including 227, Scrubs and the movie Cold Feet all of which featured Woolery appearing as himself.

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