Richard Dawson

Credit: ABC

Richard Dawson Diagnosed with Cancer Only Three Weeks Before Death

Originally posted 06/05/2012 11:40AM

Three weeks ago, Richard Dawson thought he was suffering from heartburn.

The late Hogan's Hero actor-turned-game show host, fondly remembered for his lips-on approach to his Family Feud contestants, then found out he had esophageal cancer, according to his children.

"It all just kind of happened really quickly," his son Gary tells Access Hollywood. Dawson, 79, died Saturday night due to complications related to his cancer. "Luckily, he didn't have to go through all the bad treatments and stuff."

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Filed Under: Tributes, Health, Family Feud, Hogan's Heroes, Richard Dawson

Credit: Everett

Richard Dawson Lovingly Remembered by Betty White

Originally posted 06/04/2012 07:45PM

Betty White has fond memories of the late Richard Dawson, her smooch-happy co-panelist on the long-running competition program Match Game, who died on Saturday night due to complications related to esophageal cancer.

"We used to have such fun," White, 90, gushed to PEOPLE on Monday, right after she unveiled her wax figure at Madame Tussaud's Hollywood.

"Never give celebrities a Crayola and a pad because you get yourself in lots of trouble," added White, referring to Match Game, on which contestants tried to match the celebrities panelists' answers to fill-in-the-blank questions.

Referring to her old pal as "Dickie," White recalled how their antics would "crack us up."

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Filed Under: Betty White, Richard Dawson

Credit: ABC

Richard Dawson Dies

Originally posted 06/03/2012 11:25AM

Richard Dawson, the English actor-turned-game show host who seldom shied away from giving his kiss of approval to female contestants on Family Feud, has died. He was 79.

Dawson died Saturday night at Los Angeles's Ronald Reagan Memorial hospital due to complications related to his esophageal cancer, according to his son Gary, the Associated Press reports.

Gary also posted the information on his Facebook page, writing, "He was surrounded by his family. He was an amazing talent, a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grandfather. He will be missed but always remembered."

Born in Gosport, Hampshire, England, in 1932 (birth name: Colin Lionel Emm), his comedy career took off in 1965 when he was cast as pick-pocketing prisoner-of-war Corporal Peter Newkirk in Hogan's Heroes, a role he played until 1971.