Tom Kennedy, legendary game show host, dies age 93

Tom Kennedy, former host of “Name That Tune,” “Split Second” and “You Don’t Say!” has died of unknown causes.

He was 93.

Kennedy died last Wednesday, reported Forbes. While his cause of death was not known, he had been ill for some time, the star’s friend Steve Beverly told TMZ.

Born in 1927 as James Edward Narz in Louisville, Kentucky, he attended the University of Missouri then followed his brother, Jack Narz, to Hollywood in 1947 to go into broadcasting, Forbes reported.

He spent most of his career in game shows, the most notable one being as host of “You Don’t Say!” which was his first hit an lasted six seasons, from 1963 through ’69 on NBC, then again in revival on ABC in 1975, Forbes said.

“Name That Tune” was a syndicated revival from 1974 to 1981, Forbes said. He also hosted “Break the Bank,” “50 Grand Slam,” “To Say the Least,” “Whew!” and other. He also did a turn on “Password Plus” from 1980 to 1982 after longtime host Allen Ludden left for health reasons.

He went on to appear as a guest in several series as well, including “That Girl”, “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” and Cannon," among numerous other shows, Forbes said.

Kennedy also helped launch Kathie Lee Gifford (then Johnson), whose first big break was as the “Name That Tune” singer, TMZ reported.

He’s survived by three of his four children, Forbes said – daughters Linda Ann Narz and Courtney Ellen Narz, and son James Narz Jr. – and was pre-deceased by his wife, Betty Gevedon, who died in 2011, and one daughter, Julia Kathleen Narz, who died in 2015.

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