Monty Hall Dies: Let’s Make A Deal Host, Co-Creator Was 96

Original host and co-creator of Let’s Make a Deal, Monty Hall died at age 96 of heart failure Saturday morning at his Los Angeles home. This breaking news comes from the game show icon’s daughter, Sharon Hall.

Hall, who began life as a member of the Halparin clan, is survived by Sharon, a television honcho at Alcon Entertainment, actress Joanna Gleason, and TV writer/director Richard Hall. He lost his wife, Marilyn, this past June. They had been wed for 70 years.

As well as enjoying an enduring marriage, Hall enjoyed being the longest-running host of his legendary game show that debuted in 1963.

Hallmarks of Let’s Make A Deal quickly struck a chord: The audience always donned quirky costumes to draw attention for a possible chance to participate in the game.

The host always made this scene feel as if those watching both at home and in the audience were at a carnival side show or a quick moving auction driven by a loud and energetic barker.

In fact, the term “Come on down” was given new meaning thanks to Hall. He re-invented the catch phrase when announcing who would compete next on Let’s Make A Deal.

Hall was a butcher’s son. He was so bright he graduated high school at the tender age of 14 and attended the University of Manitoba the following year.

We wish the Hall family and friends our deepest condolences.