Monty Hall

One of the most well-known game show hosts in American television history, Monty Hall, was the host and co-creator of the wildly irreverent "Let's Make a Deal" (NBC/ABC/CBS/syndicated, 1963-1986, 1990-91, 2003, 2009- ). A former radio host in his native Canada, Hall came to the United States to seek his fortune on television, and in 1963, struck it rich with "Deal." Its seemingly chaotic structure, which saw contestants win and lose prizes based largely on chance and Hall's whim, found a massive audience during its lengthy run on all three networks. Key to its success was as its offbeat prizes, as well as the gusto with which audience members tried to curry Hall's favor by wearing outlandish costumes. Though "Deal" was Hall's main outlet, he produced numerous other game shows and enjoyed a minor second career as a guest and occasional actor on television series. The enduring popularity of the program, which saw numerous revivals over the course of its four decades on the air, ensured that Hall would remain a well-loved figure in the history of television game shows. Monty Hall died on September 30, 2017 at the age of 96.