Chuck Barris, the zany host of The Gong Show and producer-creator of The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game, invented a TV genre focused on romantic relationships, but he wasn’t a winner in love himself until he met Mary Ciagett. “A mutual friend tried to talk me into meeting Chuck,” Mary, the TV producer’s third wife, tells Closer. “I just didn’t have any interest at first.”
Initially put off by their 30-year age difference, Mary finally agreed to a date and was surprised how easy Chuck was to be around. “He was brilliant, a gentleman, a lot of fun, and very caring about people who were close to him,” she says. “We had plenty to talk about, and we just had a great first date.”
Born in Philadelphia, Chuck graduated college, moved to New York and nabbed a coveted spot in NBC’s Page Program by getting creative. “I looked up who owned NBC, put down two of the names as references, and got right in,” he admitted. As a side hustle, he also wrote the song “Palisades Park,” which became a hit for Freddy Cannon in 1962.
This story is from the February 27, 2023 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 27, 2023 edition of Closer US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DOUBLE INDEMNITY Secrets from the Set
AFTER YEARS OF PLAYING NICE, FRED MACMURRAY AND BARBARA STANWYCK SHOCKED FANS WITH THIS CLASSIC FILM NOIR THRILLER
STEVE MARTIN 5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME
THE COMIC LEGEND ON HIS EARLY YEARS, FATHERHOOD AND HOW BAD REVIEWS MADE HIM BETTER!
WHOOPI GOLDBERG - MAKING PEACE with My Past
THE VIEW CO-HOST AND OSCAR WINNER SHARES HER LOVING BUT PAINFUL FAMILY STORY IN A NEW MEMOIR
GEORGE TAKEI GO Boldly
The Star Trek alum opens up about his favorite Hollywood co-stars and his new book
Dyan Cannon - My Life BEFORE & AFTER CARY GRANT
MARRIAGE TO A HOLLYWOOD ICON WAS JUST THE START OF HER INSPIRING STORY
CATE BLANCHETT MY LIFE IN 10 Pictures
AFTER GROWING up “trying to be Nancy Drew,” Catherine Elise Blanchett wanted to investigate what was beyond her life in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.
PRINCE WILLIAM & KATE STAYING STRONG for Our Kids
At a celebration dinner for London’s Air Ambulance service, Prince Willia m admitted that it’s been a difficult period for his family.
RENÉE ZELLWEGER HAPPIER Than Ever
THE TWOTIME OSCAR WINNER, WHOIS SET TO RETURN AS BRIDGET JONES, IS ENJOYING THE BEST TIMES OF HER LIFE
OUR DALLAS Memories
THE CAST OF THE NIGHTTIME DRAMA, WHICH RAN FROM 1978 TO 1991, REUNITED FOR A SPECIAL CHAT
I've Led a CHARMED LIFE
The Leave It to Beaver alum shares his favorite memories with Closer
