Jack Linkletter (November 20, 1937 – December 18, 2007) was an American game show and television host and entertainer. He was the son of Art Linkletter.

Early life

Linkletter was born as Arthur Jack Linkletter in San Francisco. He was the oldest of Lois and Art Linkletter's five children. 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.

Linkletter was an English major at the University of Southern California in 1958 when he began hosting the NBC-TV prime-time summer replacement quiz show Haggis Baggis.

Career

At 15, Linkletter began doing an interview show for CBS 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 (1958–59), Here's Hollywood and America Alive. He also hosted a number of events and pageants, including the Miss 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 YPO (The Young Presidents Organization) and national director of the 4-H Clubs.

Death

Linkletter died of lymphoma on December 18, 2007, at his home in Cloverdale, California. He was survived by both of his parents, his younger sisters, Dawn and Sharon, his wife Charlene and his children Mike, Dennis and Laura. He died a month after his 70th birthday.