TV host Tom Kennedy, who runs the game shows Split Second, Name That Tune, and You Don’t Say! Moderated, according to his friend Steve Beverly died on October 7th at the age of 93. No cause of death was given.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, James Edward Narz Kennedy attended the University of Missouri before moving to Hollywood in 1947 to join brother Jack Narz.
His first break was as a game show host on the show The Big Game in 1958 and Dr. IQ in the 1958-59 season. But his first major hit was You Don’t Say !, which lasted six seasons from 1963 to 1969 on NBC and was later revived by ABC in 1975.
Kennedy’s longest stint was the syndicated revival of Name That Tune, which aired once a week from 1974 to 81 (expanded to twice a week for the final season).
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His other hosting credits included Break the Bank and 50 Grand Slam, both in 1976; To say the least from 1977-78; Angry! from 1979 to 1980; Body language from 1984 to 1986; a syndicated nighttime version of The Price Is Right from 1985-86; and Worldplay from 1986-87.
Kennedy also hosted Post-Illness (and subsequent death) Password Plus or Allen Ludden from 1980 to 1982.
Kennedy changed gears, hosted the talk show The Real Tom Kennedy Show in 1970 and appeared as a panelist on To Tell the Truth.
In addition to hosting, Kennedy was also an actor, winning appearances on That Girl and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, as well as in the dramas Cannon and Hardcastle and McCormick, among others.
He was also the announcer for Betty White’s comedy Date With the Angels from 1957 to 1958.
Survivors include children Linda Ann Narz, son James Narz Jr., and daughter Courtney Ellen Narz, as well as daughter-in-law Linda Papulis Narz, granddaughter Abigail Norah Narz, and sister Mary Lovett Scully of Las Vegas, NV.
No memorial service is planned, but donations are being made to the American Cancer Society.
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