Richard Dawson, an award-winning, iconic game show host, comedian, actor, and singer, passed away on June 2nd, 2012 at 79 years of age. Widely known as the face of the long-running game show Family Feud, Dawson was part of the show's immense success in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He left the show in 1985 to star in the sitcom "The New Odd Couple." Dawson made a lasting impact on the game show and television industries. He established himself as a great entertainer, captivating audiences with his wit and charm. His embrace of hugging members of the audience became a memorable trademark. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award as Best Game Show Host in 1978 and was inducted into the Game Show Hall of Fame in 1999. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences also recognized his career contributions in 1995, when they presented him with the Hall of Fame Award. Prior to his television career, he made cameo appearances in films such as What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and The Longest Day, and he gained fame as a singer with his UK #1 Hit, “I Love a Rainy Night.” Dawson is survived by his wife Gretchen Johnson, with whom he spent the final years of his life, and his five children.