Jack Linkletter was an American game show and television host and entertainer.
Background
He was the son of Art Linkletter. Linkletter was born as Arthur Jack Linkletter in San Francisco. He was said to have been inspired to enter show business by his father"s show House Party.
As a boy, Mr.
Linkletter inspired one of his father"s most famous "House Party" routines: interviewing young children.
Career
He was the oldest of Lois and Art Linkletter"s five children. Linkletter was an English major at the University of Southern California in 1958 when he began hosting the National Broadcasting Company-television prime-time summer replacement quiz show Haggis Baggis. At 15, Linkletter began doing an interview show for Columbia Broadcasting System Radio, which was soon followed by an hourlong program featuring records and stunts called "Teen Time."
Linkletter hosted seven television shows throughout his career, including Haggis Baggis, Hootenanny, On the Go (1958-1959), Here"s Hollywood and America Alive.
He also hosted a number of events and pageants, including the Mission Universe pageant, events for the World"s Fair and many parades.
In recent decades, he was president of Linkletter Enterprises, developer and operator of commercial and industrial real estate and manager of diversified family investments. He also operated the Link Fund, a private fund investing in equity and debt instruments.
Linkletter served as the International President of Young Presidents' Organization (The Young Presidents Organization) and national director of the 4-H Clubs. Linkletter died of lymphoma on December 18, 2007, at his home in Cloverdale, California.
He died a month after his 70th birthday.