Chuck Woolery Was a ’60s Pop Singer? Everything You Didn’t Know About the Late ‘Love Connection’ Host

Lauren Novak November 25, 1:58 pm

Host of the Game Show Network Show, Lingo Chuck Woolery poses on the set October 22, 2003 in Los Angeles California — Carlo Allegri/Getty Images for the Game Show Network

Chuck Woolery’s legacy may be as a game show host, but there’s far more to him than what you saw on your TV screen. Born on March 16, 1941, in Ashland, Kentucky, he actually first pursued a career in music but later realized that his true calling was television, using his natural charisma and wit to become a beloved household name. Known for his signature phrase, “We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds,” he connected with audiences across generations and later pursued a career in political commentary. In honor of Woolery’s recent passing at age 83, let’s learn a little more about the man behind the game show podium.

1 He Went From ’60s Psychedelic Pop Performer to Country Music Star

Before pursuing a television career, Woolery hoped to make it big in music. In the early 1960s, he played the double bass with a folk group called the Bordermen. He also sang in a psychedelic pop duo called the Avant-Garde with Bubba Fowler. They became a one-hit wonder with their song “Naturally Stoned” in 1968. Woolery later moved on to try for a career as a solo artist, releasing five records with Columbia. In the ’70s, he tried his hand as a country music artist and had a few hits including “Painted Lady” and “The Greatest Love Affair.” Not just a singer, he co-wrote the song “The Joys of Being a Woman” for Tammy Wynette.

2 He Was the First Host of Wheel of Fortune

WHEEL OF FORTUNE, (from left): co-host Susan Stafford, host Chuck Woolery, (1975), 1975-.

Everett Collection

Woolery was the first host of Wheel of Fortune when it began in 1975 with co-host Susan Stafford. He set up the show for success during his six-year run and paved the way for Pat Sajak to take over. Merv Griffin, the creator of the beloved game show, saw Woolery sing on The Tonight Show and thought he would be a great host.

In 1981, he was replaced by Sajak due to a salary dispute. Woolery once explained that he asked for a raise from $65,000 a year to about $500,000 a year, due to the show’s popularity and the pay of other game show hosts at the time. He almost got his wish as Griffin offered him $400,000 and NBC offered to pay the additional $100,000. However, Griffin threatened to move the show to CBS, so NBC withdrew the offer, and Woolery’s contract was not renewed.

LOVE CONNECTION, Host Chuck Woolery, 1983-1999

Lorimar Television/Everett Collection

Of course, Woolery went on to host other game shows including Love Connection, Scrabble, The Dating Game, Greed, Lingo and more. He even had a short-lived reality show called Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned.

3 He Embraced Politics

Game show host Chuck Woolery speaks in support of Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel during a Tea Party Express campaign event at outside of a Hobby Lobby store on June 22, 2014 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Tea Party-backed Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Chris McDaniel, a Mississippi state senator, is locked in a tight runoff race with incumbent U.S. Sen Thad Cochran (R-MS) who failed to win the nomination in the primary election

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A longtime conservative, Woolery would sometimes get in trouble for voicing his views on the Internet, but he also hosted a political podcast called Blunt Force Truth with co-host Mark Young. The show initially started as a nationally syndicated radio commentary show called Save Us Chuck Woolery, which grew into a long-format podcast. The cohosts were often joined by guests for a conversation on what was happening in current politics. As of now, it seems that the podcast has continued without Woolery.

4 His First Role? Mr. Dingle

His first acting gig was on a syndicated children’s show called New Zoo Revue. On the show, he played an elderly postman and shopkeeper named Mr. Dingle. The musical-comedy featured people performing alongside full-bodied puppets including Freddie the Frog, Charlie the Owl and Henrietta Hippo. The show was meant to teach children lessons in topics such as moving or patience.

5 He Was Married 5 Times With 5 children

Game show host Chuck Woolery and his wife attend the Valentine Ball February13, 2002 in Beverly Hills, CA. The Valentine Ball is an annual fund-raising gala for Cedars-Sinai's Community Outreach Assistance for Children's Health Program

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Woolery was married five times during his life and had five children. He was first married to Margaret Hayes, and they had two children, Katherine and Chad. Chad passed away in a motorcycle accident in 1986. Katherine also reportedly passed away. In 1972, just a few years before Wheel of Fortune, he married actress Jo Ann Pflug, and they had a daughter named Melissa. His third wife, Teri Nelson, was the adopted daughter of actor David Nelson and granddaughter of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. They had two sons, Michael and Sean. In his later years, he was married to Kim Barnes from 2006-2016 and was said to be married to a woman named Kristen at the time of his death.