TV game show icon and animal rights advocate Bob Barker dies at 99

Today, flowers are being placed on Bob Barker's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The lifelong broadcaster was a fixture in American households for decades, most notably as the host of The Price is Right for 35 years. Bob Barker! He was a staple on our televisions for 50 plus years. Best known for The Price is Right. And before that, the game showed truth or consequences. Bob Barker, the always dapper, beloved, and infinitely huggable host of The Price is Right, died just shy of his 100th birthday at his home in California. Barker was already well-known to TV watchers when he became the host of The Price is Right in 1972. He would spend 35 years at the helm of the popular game show, turning it into the longest-running game show in TV history. And when he finally signed off in 2007, it was an emotional affair. I really had myself worked up in an emotional state, and I thought, I've got to go over there and do this show, straighten yourself out, Barker. Barker was also a fierce advocate for animal rights, signing off each broadcast. You can help to end this tragedy by having your pets spayed or neutered. With a plea for pet owners to spay or neuter their animals. If I'm remembered at all in the years to come, they'll refer to me as that old man who was always talking about spaying neuter. Barker famously paid nearly a million dollars to fly a group of elephants from the Toronto Zoo to an animal sanctuary in Northern California. I'm going to leave these on, or show business. And was remembered fondly for his activism. He has been instrumental in changing the lives of animals, so that's sad to hear that, but yet in some ways it's kind of beautiful timing, you know? So come on to adopt in honor of Bob. Americans for more than half a century invited Bob Barker into their homes, the genial elder statesman of the game show game. Life dealt Barker a good hand, and he played it impeccably. What memories. The current host of the Price is Right is Drew Carey, and he paid tribute to Barker saying it's a very sad day for the Price is Right family and animal lovers all over the world. There hasn't been a day on set that I didn't think of Bob Barker and thank him. I will carry his memory in my heart forever.