Where Are Our Favorite ’80s Fitness Stars Today

Let’s take a step back in time and remember those fitness stars, bodybuilders, and others who kept us all in such great shape during arguably one of the best decades ever, the 1980’s!

Fabio Lanzoni in the 1980s

It’s fair to say that it is obvious that you’ve made it when someone knows you only by one name. For Fabio, last name Lanzoni, that applies precisely. This 1980s heartthrob became a popular symbol of masculinity combining his impressive physique with his long hair. People often associated him with romance novels which he happily let use his name. His fitness book and video was titled Fabio Fitness and became an instant sensation with both his male and female fans.

Fabio Lanzoni in the 1980s

Fabio Lanzoni as of Today

Although Fabio gathered a wide audience from his romance novels and workout routine, Fabio knew that opportunity lay at the tip of his fingers. Or at least at the tip of his gloriously long hair. Before long, Fabio had made the leap into film and television, appearing on screens both big and small where he gathered an even greater following of excited fans. One of his most memorable business ventures was with the company I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!

Fabio Lanzoni as of Today

Tamilee Webb in the 1980s

Tamilee Webb’s name has long been associateld with two of her most acclaimed fitness series, one that nobody from the 1980s would dare to have been without. Those two series were of course her Buns of Steel and Abs of Steel videos. Infomercials and other promotions drove sales earning Webb over $10 million.

Tamilee Webb in the 1980s

Tamilee Webb as of Today

The turn of the millenium didn’t change Tamilee Webb’s passion for creating great home workouts for everyone to enjoy. Rather, she added on to her Abs of Steel and Buns of Steel series and started selling bundle packets that were available on DVD. As the world turned towards the internet and away from tapes and disks, Webb started her own company called Webb International. This was after she went back to school and got her master’s degree in exercise science.

Tamilee Webb as of Today

Cynthia Kereluk in the 1980s

Known as the exercise guru of Canada, Cynthia Kereluk had spent most of the 1980s cultivating a wide fanbase who eagerly followed her workouts. Not only was she physically strong, she was also considered by many to be particularly beautiful, having won the Miss Canada competition in 1984 and gone on to compete in Miss Universe of the very same year. Her Everyday Workout program aired in both Canada and the United States making most of North America Cynthia fans.

Cynthia Kereluk in the 1980s

Cynthia Kereluk as of Today

For the most part, Kereluk’s career was very much about the fitness craze of the era. She was able to secure a few small roles in mostly B rated movies but unfortunately she was never able to land any major parts and her career as an actor fizzled out. Not like she needed it much though, Kereluk was able to live comfortably for the last 3 decades off the hard work she had put into her popular work out tapes.

Cynthia Kereluk as of Today

Judi Sheppard-Missett in the 1980s

It could convincingly be argued that the exercise movement which seemed to partially define the 1980s would not have been as gripping as it was without the work of Judi Sheppard-Missett. Sheppard-Missett launched a fitness routine which has been remembered until this very day. The act, nay, the art of Jazzercise. Her company eventually spawned a remarkable 8,300 franchises, each one full of people dancing along to that jazzy beat. Even the training for the franchisees was done via VHS.

Judi Sheppard-Missett in the 1980s

Judi Sheppard-Missett as of Today

Throughout the decades, this Jazzercise queen hasn’t stopped. It’s fair to say that she is an example of how sticking to a lifelong fitness routine is possible (although to do so is undoubtedly hard). In an interview with the Huffington Post, Sheppard-Missett wrote, “I feel about 30. Then I look in the mirror, and I don’t see a 30-year-old. What I do see is someone who looks pretty good, is active and healthy, and has a serious spark to her.”

Judi Sheppard-Missett as of Today

Nancy Kerrigan in the 1980s

Unlike real royalty, Nancy Kerrigan’s title of the ice princess was something earned, not inherited by birth. Her parents worked hard, sometimes working multiple jobs at a time, so that Nancy could get on the ice and practice her skating. Her parents’ sacrifice most certainly paid off for Nancy Kerrigan, she went on to become one of the best skaters in the world. She competed in the National Championships and even earned a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Nancy Kerrigan in the 1980s

Nancy Kerrigan as of Today

Nancy Kerrigan would later make headlines not for winning more medals, but for taking a central role in the Tonya Harding drama. After receiving her injuries Harding’s face was seen in international newspapers as she cried, “Why, why why?” But it wasn’t completely over for Kerrigan, she did recover from her injuries and went on to receive the silver medal in Lillehammer. She then skated in ice shows and even on Broadway before making a more recent reality show appearance.

Nancy Kerrigan as of Today

Chris Evert in the 1980s

A tennis star in the making, Chris Evert began training for the sport before she was even old enough to be in first grade. One could say it was in her genes to be a great tennis player. Her father had been one, and he began coaching her when she was at the tender age of five. Eleven years later, at age 16, Evert was invited to play at the US Open but sadly didn’t make it past the semi-finals.

Chris Evert in the 1980s

Chris Evert as of Today

It didn’t matter though that Evert didn’t win her first match at the US Open, the pro tennis player ended up going on to win a record breaking 18 Grand Slams instead. In addition to those, Evert won another 136 titles and 32 double titles. Evert was able to reach the semifinals 273 out of 303 times she played in a tournament over the course of her career. Today Evert runs a tennis academy in Florida and works on ESPN.

Chris Evert as of Today

Charlene Prickett in the 1980s

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in the 1940s, one of the most defining decades of the twentieth century, Charlene Prickett jumped into the fitness scene just as it was beginning to define the 1980s. For Prickett, her intent was to combine simple, fun, and easy to do workout moves that could be enjoyed by anyone. As a result, many younger people looking for a more intense workout tended to turn away from her routines but were loved by the elderly.

Charlene Prickett in the 1980s

Charlene Prickett as of Today

For Cherlene, her workouts were her own personal projects where she was not only the star, but also the director, and the writer of each video. Her time in the spotlight earned her the nickname the “Queen of the TV Gym.” While she was popular in the 1980s, she began to steadily decline going into the 1990s, taking a break from hitting the TV gym. She came back briefly in the early 2000s but didn’t stick around for much longer.

Charlene Prickett as of Today

Cathy Crosby in the 1980s

Cathy Crosby was an outstanding tennis player, having played from an early age and moving into competitions as soon as possible. Before long, Crosby had the eyes of the nation on her, and was ranked seventh throughout the US. But Crosby had her eye on the prize, the highly renowned and prestigious tournament where only the tennis greats dare to go. We’re speaking of course about Wimbledon. As the tournament got closer, Crosby found herself distracted by her TV work.

Cathy Crosby in the 1980s

Cathy Crosby as of Today

Crosby not only played in Wimbledon once, she participated as a player in that prestigious event a second time as well. She soon left tennis behind her for good following her achieving that goal, and set out to find success in Hollywood. After participating in some reality television, Crosby became the next Wonder Woman, a role she was famous for until it was passed to Lynda Carter. She is also remembered for her tumultuous relationship with NFL star Joe Theismann.

Cathy Crosby as of Today

Sharon Bruneau in the 1980s

Sharon Bruneau seemed like someone for whom success just comes naturally. She began with a career as a fashion model, and after multiple photo shoots for high profile companies seemed destined for the top. Unfortunately, she contracted pneumonia, a disease which left her bed ridden and caused her to lose a massive amount of weight. But she didn’t let that slow her down, after recovering Bruneau decided to get into fitness, trading runways for barbells and appearing in fitness competitions.

Sharon Bruneau in the 1980s

Sharon Bruneau as of Today

As Sharon earned a reputation for her muscle bound physique she was eventually signed by Weider Health and Fitness publications to be their first ever fitness representative. It was a risky business move, as the company feared that their audience would not be receptive to having a woman representing bodybuilding. Ultimately it was a very smart choice, Sharon became the company’s representative for eight long years from 1991-1998. Since then she has appeared in movies and speaking tours promoting fitness.

Sharon Bruneau as of Today

Debbie Dobbins in the 1980s

Debbie Dobbins was born in the Philippines, moving with her family to the United States at a young age. While life in her new country was likely tough for her, she found that she was able to stand out from the crowd by participating in sports such as track and field and basketball. These sports kept her busy throughout her high school and college years, and after practicing aerobics outside the classroom decided that she would become a fitness instructor.

Debbie Dobbins in the 1980s

Debbie Dobbins as of Today

Debbie Dobbins seemed like she could do anything she put her mind to. Her workout routine increased in popularity throughout the years prompting Dobbins to take on her biggest challenge to date: the 1993 Miss Galaxy Fitness competition. In a remarkable feat for a first time competitor, Dobbins finished second in the highly rated competition and was determined to come back the next year for a second shot. Sadly, she never got that opportunity, Dobbins tragically died the year after.

Debbie Dobbins as of Today

Richard Simmons in the 1980s

Here’s a name that even most young people today are likely going to recognize. After all, without this workout star and his energetic and exciting personality it’s fair to say that the world of home fitness workout tapes may not have reached the heights that they did then. We are of course talking about Richard Simmons. Not only were his workout routines designed to kick people into gear, but his eccentric personality made it difficult for audiences to look away.

Richard Simmons in the 1980s

Richard Simmons as of Today

Sadly for many of Richard Simmons’ biggest fans, the colorful fitness guru has retired from public life, preferring to leave his reputation intact as the man who helped to spice up the fitness routine of the 1980s. That said, he still chooses to go out in public with his sparkling outfits, showing that he still has that spark of energy that made him so popular. Unfortunately the Richard Simmons gym he owned (known as Simmons Gym) closed down in 2016.

Richard Simmons as of Today

Tracy Austin in the 1980s

There must have been something in the Austin family that made them truly remarkable tennis players. Whether it’s genetics or lifestyle or something else going on there, the fact of the matter is that Tracy Austin and her siblings excelled at the sport of tennis. As good as her siblings were, Tracy alone rose above them, winning her first US Open title by 1979. That victory made her the youngest US Open female champion in the history of the sport.

Tracy Austin in the 1980s

Tracy Austin as of Today

There’s no doubt that had Tracy Austin continued down the path that she had started that she would’ve been universally remembered today as the best tennis player in the history of the sport. Unfortunately life sometimes has other plans, and Austin was suffering from a recurring bout of sciatica. While this forced her to put down the tennis racket, Austin wasn’t ready to walk away from the spot just yet. So she became a commentator for NBC and USA Network.

Tracy Austin as of Today

Heather Locklear in the 1980s

During the 1980s Heather Locklear was one of the most popular actresses to grace the screens of televisions throughout the United States. Renowned for her blond hair and athletic physique, Locklear was able to combine the classically good looks of someone like Marilyn Monroe, while keeping in shape with a body that was considered to be enviable during that era. Locklear wasn’t just on television shows though, she took advantage of the attention by releasing a series of workout tapes.

Heather Locklear in the 1980s

Heather Locklear as of Today

For Locklear, the secret to her success was simple, put in the work and be respectful doing it. To quote celebrity trainer Garrett Warren of the Woodland Hills Athletic Club, “Heather is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, but also one of the most professional. She was always on-time, incredibly committed and very driven when it came to her workouts.” While not releasing anymore workout tapes she is still remembered by everyone who grew up in the 80s.

Heather Locklear as of Today

Olivia Newton-John in the 1980s

It’s fair to say that no matter what Olivia Newton-John does for the rest of her life it’s difficult for her to find a role or job that will replace her as Sandy from the hit musical Grease. Considered her defining role, it’s hard to forget just how good she looked strutting her stuff in that black jacket. In addition to her acting, Olivia is an accomplished musician, her first album, Physical, spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

Olivia Newton-John in the 1980s

Olivia Newton-John as of Today

While Olivia is no longer jumping around and dancing in her various colored leotards to songs made by her, she is still recording albums and making music. Her most recent Christmas album partnered her up with John Farnham, a very popular Australian pop singer, and was titled Friends for Christmas. Due to their collaboration and talent behind their musical abilities the album peaked in Australia at number 1. Since then she has performed on live TV and in Las Vegas.

Olivia Newton-John as of Today

Suzanne Somers in the 1980s

Suzanne Somers is known for more than appearing on television series. The woman turned herself into the representative for an entire company, one whose product remained popular throughout the 1980s. This was the Thighmaster, and according to Complex.com, “As the spokeswoman for the Thighmaster, she [Suzanne Somers] is largely responsible for the invention of the infomercial … we would never have had the joys of ShamWow, Shake Weight, and Miss Cleo’s Psychic Friend’s Network if she hadn’t blazed that trail.”

Suzanne Somers in the 1980s

Suzanne Somers as of Today

While Suzanne Somers is defined by her acting career on television, this isn’t the only thing that this fitness model and actress did during her time. She also took her talents into many other forms of entertainment, including writing, singing, and public speaking. One of her biggest projects was her 2005 Broadway performance of her one woman show. While today she’s often seen in the news for making her political opinions known, her contribution to the Thighmaster won’t be forgotten.

Suzanne Somers as of Today

Tony Little in the 1980s

Tony Little might have the word “little” in his name, but in stature and in personality he was anything but. Rocking a ponytail throughout America’s home fitness decade, Little blazed his way through the 1980s selling workout equipment and making an incredible $4 billion in sales. His ability alone to sell such a high volume of workout equipment speaks to the craze that America was going through during the time. His sales record earned him the name “America’s Personal Trainer.”

Tony Little in the 1980s

Tony Little as of Today

Ever heard of the expression quit while you’re ahead? Well Tony Little certainly did. As the fitness craze surrounding at home equipment began to die down in favor of gyms and other more modern workout plans, Little took his money and began his long, successful retirement. Even though he’s out of the public light, there are a few comedians who can’t help poking fun at “America’s Personal Trainer.” Little doesn’t mind though, and is more than happy to poke back.

Tony Little as of Today

Jane Fonda in the 1980s

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Jane Fonda had already become a household name throughout the United States. Known for both her activism and her acting, Jane Fonda was poised to take the 80s by storm but only if she made the right moves. It turned out that Fonda was a savvy business woman, she saw the trends that were happening during the 1980s and ended up creating her own line of workout videos. Those videos immediately became popularized by fans.

Jane Fonda in the 1980s

Jane Fonda as of Today

After her exercise videos had sold an astounding 17 million copies, Fonda decided that she was ready to go back to focusing on acting and taking care of her personal life. But the popular workout instructor couldn’t stay away from these workout tapes forever. Fifteen years after the release of her last workout video Fonda released yet another workout instructional video for her many fans. Rather than being released on VHS though, this one came out in 2010 on DVD.

Jane Fonda as of Today

Kathy Smith in the 1980s

It’s unfair to compare someone like Kathy Smith to Jane Fonda. While Fonda got into the workout game after having been in the public light for nearly 20 years, Kathy Smith made an entry without having any celebrity popularity to back her. But, at the end of the day, she’s sitting right on this list next to Fonda. While her tapes didn’t sell quite as much, over one million were sold making Smith one of the most popular fitness instructors.

Kathy Smith in the 1980s

Kathy Smith as of Today

Kathy Smith didn’t just pack up her bags and move to the Bahamas after selling her one millionth workout tape though. Rather, Smith decided to double down, betting big on one person she knew she could rely on, herself. After seeing the popularity of her tapes she invested more into the workout industry, producing books, tapes, equipment, and clothing. She ended up making over $500 million with everything, and earned herself the honorary title of “Titan of the Workout Industry.”

Kathy Smith as of Today

John Travola in the 1980s

While not a workout guru himself, John Travolta had all eyes on him during the 1980s, making it likely that if he had decided to put out a series of tapes, he likely would’ve done very well for himself in that arena. Instead Travolta decided to pursue even greater success as a movie star, appearing in the film Perfect next to Jamie Lee Curtis as he danced his way into her heart. It is both perfect and perfectly cringe worthy.

John Travola in the 1980s

John Travolta as of Today

While we still love turning on Perfect and seeing John Travolta shake his stuff for Jamie Lee Curtis, the film ended up being the first in a long line of flops starring the 80s heartthrob. Much of the 80s and parts of the 90s resulted in Travolta starring in films which just didn’t manage to capture their audience’s attention. It wasn’t until Travolta teamed up with Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction that Travolta made his way back into the mainstream.

John Travolta as of Today

Denise Austin in the 1980s

Even though Denise Austin had the relatively innocent name of “America’s Fitness Sweetheart,” she dominated the field and rose to heights that few had even dreamed of. Austin attended California State University, Long Beach where she kept up with her fitness so that by the time she graduated she had the experience needed to begin teaching it. Eventually her routines were taped and written down and sold to the eager masses who were looking forward to their next Austin lesson.

Denise Austin in the 1980s

Denise Austin as of Today

As time went on and Denise Austin got more and more popular she was eventually given the opportunity of a lifetime. In the early 2000s President George W. Bush decided to name her to the President’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. Even after the world of politics, Austin refused to become a cynic, telling SHAPE magazine, “I still have so much fun promoting fitness. It never goes ‘out of style’ or gets old!” Today Austin stays in great shape.

Denise Austin as of Today

Cherilyn Sarkisian in the 1980s

Originally born Cherilyn Sarkisian, this powerful singer and fitness fan decided to change her name to the more pronounceable and memorable mononym, Cher. Cher had dazzled the public with her unique and powerful singing voice and, during the 1980s, with her enthusiasm in fitness. That experience in fitness led to her publishing a book Forever Fit: The Lifetime Plan for Health, Fitness, and Beauty in 1991. The next year she released two workout videos both under her CherFitness brand name.

Cherilyn Sarkisian in the 1980s

Cherilyn Sarkisian as of Today

Even at the age of 71, Cher hasn’t stopped working out her form and maintaining her impressive physique. While the age of exercise videos has passed for the most part, Cher still made sure that her fans knew she could overcome any physical challenge. In 2017 Cher made her first award show appearance in 15 years at the Billboard Music Awards. There, she performed several songs before getting into a bodysuit and saying she could do a 5 minute plank.

Cherilyn Sarkisian as of Today

Raquel Welch in the 1980s

Raquel Welch is considered by many to have been one of the most beautiful women of the decade whose appearance on workout videos and in films would almost always draw a large crowd. In her book, Raquel: The Raquel Welch Total Beauty and Fitness Program, the fitness model and actress gave a detailed list of workout routines both in aerobic exercises and in yoga. Additionally she supplemented that with lifestyle tips to help teach how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Raquel Welch in the 1980s

Raquel Welch as of Today

Based on her critical reviews and box office successes it seems Raquel’s acting improved the older she got and more experienced she became in the world of acting. Rather than appearing as another beautiful woman in a feature with only a few lines, she was given roles front and center, roles that would earn her two Golden Globes. Even with this success her workout days were never forgotten with publications listing her as the best looking woman of all time.

Raquel Welch as of Today

Jake Steinfeld in the 1980s

Jake Steinfeld was able to rise to the top of the competitive fitness guru world by not only providing an excellent product, but by understanding the importance of marketing and developing an ingenious marketing campaign. His company, Body By Jake, made him an icon and many attributed his work to the popularization of the fitness industry. His 24 hour fitness network, the 24-hour FitTv brought him hefty returns as did his second project, the on demand fitness network, Exercise TV.

Jake Steinfeld in the 1980s

Jake Steinfeld as of Today

Even though Jake Steinfeld already had two successful companies under his belt, this business magnate wasn’t done yet. His third and most massive company would be his masterpiece. That company was far more massive than the other two and was called Body By Jake Global. Even with that he didn’t stop, choosing to create a weight loss program called FitOrbit in 2001 and founded the professional outdoor lacrosse league, Major League Lacrosse. Today he is currently a fitness podcast host.

Jake Steinfeld as of Today

Tonya Harding in the 1980s

Tonya Harding was born to the typical blue collar family in Portland, Oregon. Growing up her and her family engaged in many outdoor activities such as hunting. She also learned to work well with her hands, doing activities like fixing cars with her father as well. But Harding had one real dream, to skate in the Olympics, and win the gold medal for her country. After finishing fourth in 1992, Harding came back eager for the gold the next time.

Tonya Harding in the 1980s

Tonya Harding as of Today

Before her second round at the Olympics, Tanya’s biggest competitor, and another fitness guru from the list, Nancy Kerrigan, was assaulted by someone and had her leg hit with a club. Rumors went flying that the person who did it was somehow related to Tanya Harding, a charge she initially denied. After finishing eighth in the Olympics she pled guilty to conspiring to hinder the prosecution after it was revealed that it was actually her ex-husband who hired the attacker.

Tonya Harding as of Today

Jamie Lee Curtis in 1980

Jamie Lee Curtis was the dance partner to John Travolta in the 1985 film, Perfect. But by the time she was shaking her stuff next to the man she was already quite a capable and well known actress herself. The movie brought to light the rise of Los Angeles health clubs throughout the 1970s and was entirely based on a series of Rolling Stones articles. While the film itself was a flop, Curtis was put center into the aerobic culture.

Jamie Lee Curtis in 1980

Jamie Lee Curtis Acting Today

Jamie Lee Curtis was embraced by the fitness culture throughout the United States, but her main acting was in horror movies. In particular the very popular Halloween series where she played the character Laurie Strode. Her nickname of the “Scream Queen” became even more appropriate after she acted in numerous other horror films such as Prom Night, Terror Train, and Roadgames. While not in any more fitness films, Lee Curtis played to her strengths, appearing in the new Halloween film.

Jamie Lee Curtis Acting Today

Marianna Komlos in the 1980s

The 80s workout craze was much inspired by the bodybuilding craze which had been a relatively recent staple of the time. When Marianna Komlos got involved in the fitness scene she did so with the intention of also becoming a bodybuilder and actually won the middleweight title at the British Columbia Championships. This was after only just over three years of training. Bodybuilding eventually turned into fitness modeling and later, WWE wrestling, where she went by the moniker Mrs. Cleavage.

Marianna Komlos in the 1980s

Marianna Komlos as of Today

Sadly, Marianna wasn’t able to live to her full potential, if she had who knows where she might have ended up. The reality is that sometimes tragedy strikes in the most unexpected ways. In Marianna’s case it was breast cancer. She passed away from the horrible disease in 2004 at the young age of just 35 years old. Just before she died she had married stunt performer and martial artist Paul Lazenby – they had only been married a few months.

Marianna Komlos as of Today

Lou Ferrigno in the 1980s

Before Lou Ferrigno became the actor that many of us know and love today, he was one of the best bodybuilders in the world. After high school he competed in the Mr. America competition, winning and moving on to compete against none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Mr. Universe competition as well. Although he didn’t win his first round, he came back to compete several more times, winning four years later. This experience was the step needed for Hollywood.

Lou Ferrigno in the 1980s

Lou Ferrigno as of Today

After being cast as Bruce Banner it seemed as though the sky was the limit for the Mr. Universe champion. Ferrigno seemed to be perfect to play the hulk. Tall and muscular all he needed was green paint in order to complete the role. Since then he spent most of the turn of the millenium playing fictionalised versions of himself, but he hasn’t fully left his bodybuilding ways behind. In 2017 Ferrigno was featured on the cover of Flex magazine.

Lou Ferrigno as of Today

40 Most Popular Game Show Hosts, Then and Now

Alex Trebek

Coming from humble beginnings in Canada, Alex Trebek came to America to achieve icon status in the broadcasting world. He soon began his career as the host of Jeopardy!, a trivia game show that took the world by storm.

Alex Trebek

In March of 2019, the host shared some troubling news with the world. He had been diagnosed with a terrible terminal disease. A year later, he passed away, and we’ve missed him ever since.

Vanna White

It would be nothing short of a criminal act for us to mention Wheel of Fortune without mentioning Sajak’s partner in crime, Vanna White. The hostess began her reign as the world’s most famous letter-turner in 1983. She has been a part of the show ever since.

Vanna White

After Sajak and White celebrated the 7,000th episode of Wheel of Fortune, Vanna joked with USA Today about her initial thoughts when she was first made the hostess all those years ago. She said, “I thought, ‘Well, this is gonna be fun, but I can’t imagine it lasting that long.’”

Ellen DeGeneres

There’s really nothing that Ellen DeGeneres hasn’t done. She’s starred in her very own sitcom, reality competition series, various comedy specials, and her famous daytime talk show. In 2017, DeGeneres added a game show to her already impressive resume.

Ellen DeGeneres

On the host’s hilarious show Ellen’s Game of Games, contestants must compete through four rounds of weird and wonderful challenges to win a grand prize of $100,000. There’s nobody quite as generous as Miss DeGenerous herself.

Betty White

During her long life, Betty White did it all, so it should come as no surprise that she was a successful game show host at one point. In 1983, the star actress of Golden Girls became the world’s first woman to win a Daytime Emmy for the outstanding game show host.

Betty White

She took home the award for her work leading Just Men! on NBC. Betty could also frequently be found on the panels of game shows including Match Game, Password, The Hollywood Squares, and Tattletales.

Bob Barker

Most of the world knows the iconic Bob Barker from The Price Is Right — a game shows that he hosted for 35 years. However, not many people know that he also hosted another game show before that, called Truth or Consequences, from 1956 to 1974.

Bob Barker

Bob officially retired from The Price Is Right in 2007, but still worked as an executive producer for the show until 2015. He would also make occasional guest host appearances. These days, Bob Barker enjoys the quiet life at home, and recently celebrated his 97th birthday!

Monty Hall

Monty Hall, a Canadian-American TV personality, managed to kickstart one of the most popular game show series of the 20th century, which was called Let’s Make a Deal. The long-serving host of the show was famous for making deals with the contestants.

Monty Halls

Monty Hall remained the host of Let’s Make a Deal until the end of his life. Not many people know that he had actually earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and zoology when he was younger, but decided to pursue acting instead after falling in love with performance.

Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady is essentially Monty’s successor — after he became the host and executive producer of the Let’s Make a Deal reboot in 2009. The comedic actor regularly appeared on Whose Line Is it Anyway?, which was a popular improv series.

Wayne Brady

These days, Brady serves as the host and executive producer on Game of Talents, a reality and variety game show on FOX. He says that this is part of a new period of professional and personal growth for him, and we can’t wait to see where it takes him!

Howie Mandel

Before he started judging contestants on America’s Got Talent, TV personality and comedian Howie Mandel worked as the host of CNBC and NBC’s Deal or No Deal in 2005.

Howie Mandel

He’s been a feature of the show ever since. Howie is also still hosting America’s Got Talent, and the show wouldn’t be the same without him.

Anne Robinson

We all know Anne Robinson from the face of BBC’s iconic game show The Weakest Link, a position that she held for 12 years from 2000 to 2012. The game show involved a team of nine players who had to answer general knowledge questions and vote out the weakest player each round.

Anne Robinson

These days, Anne serves as the host and presenter of Countdown on Channel 4. This is an iconic and beloved English game show. We’ll never forget her iconic catchphrase from back in the day — “You are the weakest link. Goodbye!”

Michael Strahan

Games and television were well in the depth of Michael Strahan, who used to be an NFL defensive end before he became a TV host on Live With Kelly and Ryan. He’s also a prominent personality on Good Morning America.

Michael Strahan

Strahan was hired to host the classic game show series The $100,000 Pyramid. This is a show in which he also serves as an executive producer. The show is wildly successful and involves contestants being matched with celebrity partners to uncover words to win the prize.

Ben Stein

Writer, actor, and lawyer Ben Stein was the host of his own game show, Win Ben Stein’s Money, from 1997 to 2002. The brainy start of Hollywood, who’s also known for his role as a quirky professor in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, offered contestants up to $5,000 from his own pocket.

Ben Stein

But, there was a catch — at the halfway mark of the show, Ben would be able to compete against the competitors to win the money back. The show was wildly entertaining, and we were truly sad to see it go.

Tom Bergeron

Tom won the hearts of millions when he became the host of Dancing With the Stars, a crazy popular TV competition series that still airs today. He also made us cry with laughter on America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Tom Bergeron

Not many people know that he was also the host of Hollywood Squares, a game show in which contestants faced off against each other in celebrity tic-tac-toe. Tom recently made an appearance in the third season of The Masked Singer — where he competed as ‘The Taco.’

Gene Rayburn

Gene Rayburn was a television host for more than two decades on several different incarnations of the comedy game show The Match Game. Gene guided competitors as they tried to match answers based on tricky questions from celebrity guests.

Gene Rayburn

Gene also hosted other variations of Match Game, including Match Game PM. He sadly passed away in 1999 at 81 from congestive heart failure and left a big void in the world of American television.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch deserves all the credit she receives as the host of Hollywood Game Night, especially as a woman in a profession undeniably dominated by men. It’s refreshing to see one of our favorite comedic actresses in such a competitive industry.

Jane Lynch

Jane has been the host of the show since 2013 but has also starred in her own cabaret show called See Jane Sing. What’s more, she’s even released her own holiday album — A Swingin’ Little Christmas! She’s a woman of many talents, no doubt.

Guy Fieri

Food Network star Guy Fieri may not be the first person to come to mind when you think of game show hosts but the host of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives has also hosted a supermarket-inspired game show called Guy’s Grocery Games.

Guy Fieri

Today, he still enjoys hosting both of these shows. Guy’s Grocery Games — which first aired in 2013 — is still going strong, and the same can be said for Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. We’ll always love the food trips Guy takes us on.

Jeff Foxworthy

Jeff Foxworthy made America laugh for just over four years on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? The series had grown adults try to answer fifth-grade trivia questions, with the help of a team of actual fifth graders.

Jeff Foxworthy

The show was unfortunately canceled in 2011, but it did make a brief return in 2015 before going dark again. These days, Jeff is the host of yet another hysterical comedy competition series called Bring the Funny, where he judges young comedians.

Marc Summers

These days, we know Marc Summers from his work on shows from Food Network such as The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Unwrapped, and Guy’s Grocery Games. However, true children of the ’80s probably still remember Marc as the host of Double Dare, one of the world’s messiest game shows.

Marc Summers

The Nickelodeon show combined quizzes with obstacle courses, leading contestants to different situations. They were hilariously sticky, including having a bucket of slime dumped over their heads. The show was rebooted in 2018 with Marc acting as the host once again.

Regis Philbin

Regis Philbin has a long, long list of accomplishments as a television host on the small screen. However, out of all of the shows that Philbin was a part of over the years, there’s one that sticks out in the minds of most people — Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Regis Philbin

Philbin hosted the show for 10 years, from 1999 to 2002. He also hosted a number of other popular game shows including Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire and Million Dollar Password.

Meredith Vieira

Meredith Vieira, a broadcast journalist-turned-TV host, became one of the very few women to host a game show when she took up the mantle from Regis Philbin on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in 2009 after serving as the show’s guest host since 2002.

Meredith Vieira

After she left the show to host her own daytime talk show in 2013, the world wasn’t really sure when they’d see her on a game show again. Luckily for us, she launched her latest show called 25 Words or Less, which remains successful to this day.

Neil Patrick Harris

There’s really nothing that Neil Patrick Harris can’t do. Aside from hosting some of the world’s biggest award shows, making movies, starring in fantastically-popular comedies, and winning Emmys, Neil also spent some time as a game show host in 2018 on Genius Junior.

Neil Patrick Harris

The show features the smartest kids below the age of 12 on stage in a competition that tests both their wits and their brains. The winners were awarded a grant to achieve their future dreams. These days, Harris still acts in many popular films and TV shows.

Pat Sajak

Pat Sajak has brought the world joy since 1981 as the host of Wheel of Fortune. Since he was hired to replace Chuck Woolery, Sajak has become one of the longest-serving game show hosts in history.

Pat Sajak

Pat’s name has become synonymous with the game show in which contestants have to rack their brains and guess, letter by letter, a variety of entertaining and fun phrases after spinning the prize wheel. There’s no show like Wheel of Fortune and no-host like Pat Sajak.

Wink Martindale

It’s no secret that Wink Martindale is one of the world’s most prolific game show hosts. He has starred in shows including Hilton Head Island and The Bold and the Beautiful. He has hosted a range of competition series including Card Sharks, Las Vegas Gambit, Trivial Pursuit, and more.

Wink Martindale

In 2010, Martindale had a reprise to his past as a game show host as a pretend host on the fantastic senior prank series called Betty White’s Off Their Rockers. These days, he hosts the internationally syndicated The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Dick Clark

While most people know Dick Clark from his work on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and American Bandstand, many of his long-time fans will remember him as a highly popular game show host. His hosting accolades include Missing Links, Scattergories, The Match Game, and more.

Dick Clark

Clark hosted his final game show gig on Winning Lies in 2000, which was a numerical quiz challenge that unfortunately only aired for a single season. In 2012, Clark sadly passed from a heart attack, leaving a lasting legacy behind.

Chris Harrison

There’s no doubt that you recognize Chris Harrison as the longtime host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, as well as the various spinoffs that those shows have enjoyed. Unfortunately, he recently had to give up his tenure at those shows due to controversy.

Chris Harrison

Harrison was also the host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for four years and was even awarded two Emmy nominations for his efforts. Of course, when the series returned in 2020, Jimmy Kimmel took over the duty of the host.

Melissa Peterman

Melissa Peterman is most famous for hosting The Singing Bee and Bet on Your Baby. She’s an actress and sketch comedian that rocketed to fame for her role as Barbra Jean from Reba, which was a television comedy series.

Melissa Peterman

She was a game show host from 2009 all the way to 2014, and was highly successful in her tenure on each of the game shows she presented. These days, she enjoys a successful comedy and acting career that we always tune in to.

Chuck Woolery

We all know Chuck Woolery as one of the most popular and successful faces of Wheel of Fortune, but he was also the host of Love Connection and Scrabble for a time. However, not many people know that he actually aspired to become a rock star early in his career.

Chuck Woolery

Chuck was also the first-ever person to host Wheel of Fortune, and we largely have him to thank for the extreme success of the show. Woolery was a game show host from 1975 to 2008 and enjoyed a long and prosperous career.

Sherri Shepherd

Sherri Shepherd is most well known for being one of the hosts of the talk show The View, for which she won a Daytime Emmy. She’s also famous for hosting The Newlywed Game, which was a wildly successful game show, for three years.

Sherri Shepherd

Shepherd has also made appearances on the long-running series Dancing With the Stars. She was made the host of the rebooted The Newlywed Game in 2010, and remained in that position for three years.

Brooke Burns

We all know Brooke Burns as the face of Hole in the Wall, Dog Eat Dog, and You Deserve It. Of course, it would be a criminal act for us not to mention her recurring role on Baywatch. This was one of the most successful television shows of all time.

Brooke Burns

Burns has since served as a co-chair for nonprofit fundraisers. She is also known for using her profile in the entertainment industry to raise funds for spinal cord research. She’s a woman of many talents and is a philanthropist to the core.

Chris Hardwick

Witty game show host Chris Hardwick has been the face of many popular shows. These include Singled Out, which was a dating show that aired on MTV for a while in the ’90s. He’s also famous for appearing on Trashed and The Wall.

Chris Hardwick

Hardwick recently faced some backlash and controversy amid allegations from his ex-girlfriend. This resulted in the suspension of his talk show Talking With Chris Hardwick, which was a relatively popular show when it still aired.

Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez shot to superstar status as a heartthrob in Saved by the Bell, a sitcom that ran in the ’80s. He also portrayed Greg Louganis, an Olympic diver, in the television-movie Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story.

Mario Lopez

He was also famously the host of a number of game shows — including Masters of the Maze, Pet Star, and America’s Best Dance Crew. He hosted these shows from 1995 until 2012, and these days, you’ll find him as the host of Access Hollywood.

Jill Wagner

Other than being a star of the hit series Teen Wolf, as well as appearing in a plethora of Hallmark Channel films, Jill Wagner has been the host of Wipeout for more than seven seasons. She provides interviews and commentary for contestants competing on a treacherous obstacle course.

Jill Wagner

She’s currently the host of Handcrafted America, an INSP TV series in which Jull travels the country to search for talented artisans who make contemporary products using their own two hands. The show is wonderfully entertaining, and we highly suggest you check it out.

Anthony Anderson

Anthony Anderson has been the host of To Tell the Truth since 2016, and still maintains this position to the current day. He’s a familiar face on primetime television as a recurring character from Black-ish, a fantastic American sitcom.

Anthony Anderson

He has also appeared in the Scary Movie franchise on the big screen, as well as in The Departed, which was directed by Martin Scorsese. He can also be seen as a guest panelist on many other game shows.

Aisha Tyler

Actress and comedian Aisha Tyler has been the host of Whose Line Is it Anyway? since 2013 — although some of you may recognize her as Dr. Charlie Wheeler from Friends.

Aisha Tyler

She also made an appearance in the first season of Ghost Whisperer and has been the voice of Lana Kane in the animated series, Archer, since 2010. These days, she frequently makes a regular contribution to print outlets like Glamour, Jane, and Entertainment Weekly.

Ryan Seacrest

Most Americans are familiar with Ryan Seacrest from his role as the co-host of Live! with Kelly Ripa, as well as for being a host on American Idol. However, he’s also hosted a number of other game shows, like Wild Animal Games, Gladiators 2000, and Click.

Ryan Seacrest

Today, you’ll find him producing shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Dick Clarks’ New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

Jamie Foxx

It may not surprise you to learn that Jamie Foxx is the only game show host who has ever won an Academy Award. Of course, he won this award for his incredible acting rather than his highly entertaining hosting skills.

Jamie Foxx

You’ll find Foxx hosting Beat Shazam, which is a popular game show that he has hosted since 2017. Oh, and he’s still acting in incredible films like Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Johnny Carson

Johnny Carson was the host of Who Do You Trust before he became the king of late-night television. In this show, married couples were asked a trivia question…

Johnny Carson

And the husband decided which of the two would answer it! Eeek! Carson also served as a panelist on shows like, To Tell the Truth, and What’s My Line?.

Drew Carey

With his trademark glasses, comedian Drew Carey experienced much success as the host of game shows like The Price Is Right as well as starring in his sitcom The Drew Carey Show.

Drew Carey

Carey began hosting The Price Is Right in 2017, and continues to serve as the show’s host today. We can’t think of anyone better suited to the job.

Richard Dawson

Richard Dawson, a comedian from England, made a name in America as a witty prisoner of war in Hogan’s Heroes, a sitcom from the ’60s. To bolster his fame, he became a panelist on Match Game in the early ’70s.

Richard Dawson

Before his tragic passing, he was the original host of Family Feud until 1985. He then made a return to the show in 1994. He will certainly be missed (perhaps not his habit of kissing female contestants, though).

Peter Marshall

Here we have Peter Marshall, who hosted an impressive four-game show during the ’80s and ’90s. Of course, he was never more popular than on Hollywood Squares.

Peter Marshall

He has also been the host of a number of other game shows, including All-Star Blitz and Storybook Squares. He’s a veteran in the game show world and is a natural at what he does.

Steve Harvey

The man, the myth, and the mustache — Steve Harvey is a producer, comedian, and actor who has been the host of a variety of game shows. These include Little Big Shots, Steve Harvey’s Funderdome, Family Feud, and Celebrity Family Feud.

Steve Harvey

And that’s just to name a few. Steve took over as the sixth host of the ridiculously popular Family Feud game show in 2010 and was able to breathe new life into the game show that aired its first episode all the way back in 1976.