Who is Allen Ludden?
Allen Ludden, sometimes known as Allen Packard Ellsworth, was an American television personality who was best known for hosting various versions of the game show ‘Password.’ He was also the host of the renowned game show ‘GE College Bowl.’ Prior to joining the television industry, he worked as a radio and magazine columnist for young people. His teen show, ‘Mind Your Manners,’ was a huge hit on the radio.
Ludden was also a singer, with an album titled “Allen Ludden Sings His Favorite Songs” being released. While he was well-known as a television host, few people are aware that he served in the United States Army as the officer in charge of entertainment for the Pacific theater. When it comes to Ludden’s accolades and achievements, he was once given the ‘Horatio Alger Award.’ In addition, he won the ‘Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host.’ The American personality received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after his death, which is near to his second wife’s (Betty White) star.
Professional Career`
Allen Ludden began his career as an officer in command of entertainment for the Pacific theater of the United States Army. He was released from the army with the rank of captain in 1946. Ludden worked as a youth counselor and worked with adolescent periodicals and radio in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He then went on to host game programs such as ‘GE College Bowl,’ ‘The Joker’s Wild,’ and ‘Password.’ He hosted multiple versions of ‘Password,’ including ‘Password Plus.’
He was also a panelist on ‘The Gong Show’ and hosted the discussion show ‘Allen Ludden’s Gallery.’ The American celebrity was also a writer, having written and published a number of books and novels. In 1964, RCA Records issued the album ‘Allen Ludden Sings His Favorite Songs,’ which he recorded as a singer. Ludden was also a part-time actress who appeared in a few plays and other productions.
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Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Allen Packard Ellsworth, Allen Ellsworth Ludden
- Died At Age: 63
- Spouse/Ex-: Betty White (M. 1963–1981), Margaret McGloin (M. 1943–1961)
- Father: Elmer Ellsworth
- Mother: Leila M. Allen
- Children: David Ludden, Martha Ludden, Sarah Ludden
- Game Show Hosts American Men
- Height: 5’8″ (173 cm), 5’8″ Males
- Died On: June 9, 1981
- Place Of Death: Los Angeles
- U.S. State: Wisconsin
- Cause Of Death: Cancer
Personal Life
Allen Ludden was born on October 5, 1917, in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, as Allen Packard Ellsworth. Elmer Ellsworth, his father, was an ice trader, and Leila M. Allen, his mother, was a homemaker. After his father died in the Spanish flu epidemic when he was just 26 years old, his mother remarried electrical engineer Homer Ludden, Jr., and Allen was given his stepfather’s surname, becoming Allen Ellsworth Ludden. He went to the University of Texas to study.
Ludden married Margaret McGloin in 1943, and they had two children. Sarah and Martha were the couple’s daughters, while David was their son. Following McGloin’s death from cancer in 1961, Ludden married the twice-divorced Betty White. On June 14, 1963, the pair married and remained together until Ludden’s death.
Ludden was diagnosed with stomach cancer in early 1980. He died at the age of 63 the following year, on June 9, 1981. He was laid to rest alongside his father in the Graceland Cemetery in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.
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