Merv Griffin

A lot can be said by the life of distinguished TV host Merv Griffin, but one thing is for sure, he lived a fully successful life. He grew up singing in his local church choir while developing his skills with the organ and piano. By the age of 19, he was already singing on the radio, where he would be noticed by American saxophonist Freddy Martin. Griffin toured alongside his orchestra for four years, and in 1945, he had saved enough investment money to start his record company. At that point, he focused on growing his music career before diving into TV hosting by 1958. He is known for hosting The Merv Griffin Show before having a hand in popular TV game shows such as Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!.

Griffin has always toyed with the idea of writing, “I will not return after this message,” on his gravestone. To his eternal delight, he did get that written on his tombstone – truly fitting for a man that has etched his name in entertainment media history.