The Life of Richard Dawson Corporal Peter Newkirk Hogan's Heroes

[@gabriellashimone6546]

Richard Dawson was always my favourite game show host and regular on Match Game. He was a wonderful, kind and compassionate man the likes of which are few and far between. There will always be a special place in my heart for Mr. Dawson!

[@dougearnest7590]

Anyone who hasn't see "The Running Man" should watch it just for Richard Dawson where he plays host of a futuristic reality show -- it was his greatest role ever! When you see it, you'll understand.

[@jduff59]

He was good in that role.

[@seanacameron8940]

Doug, You are right on the money. Wish they still made movies of that caliber. All the best.

[@strikeryachts]

I'll be back!, only in a rerun.

[@christinemiller1967]

He was amazing in that role!!!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

That was the ONLY reason I went to see it when it was released to the theaters. (Not an Arnie fan, then or especially now.) I wish Mr. Emm had done more movies. He was a terrific bad guy.

[@mrpeel3239]

Thank you for reminding the viewing public of his amazing longevity on so many classic shows!

[@sandraandrews9907]

You forgot to mention that he was a host on a game show called "Masquerade Party". I think that it was pre-Match Game, but still needs to be acknowledged.

[@sarahkutz1512]

WOW! My 2 oldest brothers loved Hogan Heroes.. thank you for the memories 🥰

[@Jdwify]

Of all the actors on Hogan's Heroes, Richard Dawson was my absolute favorite. His comedic timing was superb, second to none. I thought he was marvelous on Family Feud as well. So sad that such a talented and well rounded man had to die. Rest in Peace, Richard. Thanks for the joy, laughter, and memories.

[@kmafdlmagotg8328]

He was in the Munsters movie also. Munsters Go Home in 1966.

[@davidpar2]

He was my favorite Family Feud host. Will never forget his “survey said!”

[@rogerlynch5279]

Yes among professional crititcs KING RAT belongs to the TOP MOVIES with " cultural value " . at least that is what you can read in a lot of background books

[@disneyfan8178]

@leone7227 I agree. Ray Combs and the others had nothing on him!

[@Farrah300]

In my opinion, Richard Dawson was the dfinitive host.

[@FreyaTait]

​@@rogerlynch5279I hated the excerpts that I happened to see when my father was watching it on TV. Just my personal opinion.

[@patriciahall2223]

I loved him dearly , a brilliant actor, God Rest in Heavenly Peace Mr Richard Dawson 🇨🇦

[@sdgakatbk]

If you still haven't seen King Rat I HIGHLY recommend it! I just watched it and it is one of the best war movies I've ever seen.

[@CoolClassics]

Thank you, a few of you have said that, so i put it on my must watch list 😁

[@jnpowell9077]

He was a great guy, my Dads buddy served in the forces with him.

[@CoolClassics]

👍

[@1927su]

Wow thats cool!

[@1927su]

Loving these videos about Hogans Heroes! I was a HUGE FAN & as a teenager, before going out with friends etc,or if I didn’t have to work, I had to run home & watch Hogans Heroes at 4:00!

[@martinaurik2189]

Thank you all the effort you put in this video.I’m from the Netherlands and are importing movie’s and series for almost 10 years.Hogan’s heroes became my most beloved serie ever.

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

*Thank You* for stirring these wonderful memories from my younger days -- AND teaching me some things I never knew!! 😊❤

[@blackbird5634]

Your posts are great. You've done your homework and these 'forgotten' stars of daytime TV are near and dear to a lot of us. Not just because we watched them when we were home 'sick' from school but because it's a real treat to find out all the details of their many appearances on so many other shows. I heard that Ron Howard earned as much as a famous major league baseball player when he was about 11 years old, and he found out when salaries were published in some national review. Phew! That's a lot of money for a kid.

[@CoolClassics]

Thank You! I love all the people that I cover on here. Everyone has so many appearances, that I have to pick and choose the important or stand out performances. When I get to Ron Howard, I am thinking a video on his childhood to his teens, would fill one video. lol Again thank you for the motivation to make more videos 😁

[@dontraylor4476]

We enjoyed Richard for a long time. He is missed by many.

[@Sooner-im9qf]

Wow. Thank you for this blast from the past. Just have to share this. As I was watching the clip of the Dick Van Dyke Show with Richard Dawson doing the "bird caller" comedy routine, it instantly dawned on me. I actually remember seeing that episode as a child and falling out laughing. I think that had to be one of the funniest bits ever on the Dick Van Dyke Show for all the years it ran! So funny, at least, that I still instantly recognized it all these years later and hadn't seen it since it was aired in the "60's. Of course, I never knew it was Richard Dawson may he rest in peace. Very talented performer!

[@CoolClassics]

Stuff like that happens to me while researching. I find a clip, thinking that I have never seen before, then it all comes back to me. I am like, wow! I have seen this sometime in my life before, but I never would have remembered it, without seeing it again! Wild stuff 😁👍

[@Ratlins9]

Thank you so much for creating this video, I grew up watching “ Hogans Heroes” and enjoyed “ Family Feud.” RIP Mr. Dawson.

[@CoolClassics]

You're very welcome

[@seanacameron8940]

Dawson, the man of warmth and humour. RIP

[@sharonz3337]

I use to watch Richard Dawson on Family Feud. He was my favorite. Host on that show😊😊

[@CoolClassics]

He was mine too :)

[@j.a.emmanueltemplemann5627]

This is great. Kudos to you for making this vid. Thank you 🙏

[@ToyotaPete]

👍 Thanks for the great memories

[@tom3699]

Another GREAT video 👏👍 Thanks

[@klyvemurray]

Hey Cool Classics!! Yet another Masterpiece!! You have excellent research chops, a VERY cool presentation style, and 'tight' production values! Totally digging your work 👌 .

[@alanlevine3984]

Well done. Thank you.

[@rogerlynch5279]

So you did it again ! :::::::::) Seriously, this is a wonderfull done introduction about a well known actor from the show I did know nothing about before your clip and got everything about him after you finished your wonderfull short portrit. If KZbin Clips had a trophy system you had one of Gold on your closet by now.

[@NewtonWashinton]

Very good video. Thank You!

[@tillysanders2593]

Was so surprised to learn he was born in Gosport ! I used to live there and my family still do. Troops disembarked for D-Day just a few hundred yards from where my Mother lives which must be where Richard refers to being with his Mum .This was very informative. No idea he was married to Diana Dors either ! Thanks from a Brit in Toronto.

[@JackC1961]

He lived in 2 Dudley Road Gosport, next door but one to my Dad, my Nan worked with his mum in the munitions factory in Gosport

[@FreyaTait]

There's a KZbin video, a clip from a farewell episode of Family Feud, in which Dawson describes seeing the troops gathering for the D-Day invasion. He credits that experience for his lack of racial prejudice. He had never before seen people with differing skin colors and asked his mother about it. His Mum said that God makes both rainbows and people, and she would never try to tell someone who made the rainbow what colors to make children.

[@dbcooper7164]

I watched Hogan's Heroes, but to me, my happy thoughts of Richard Dawson will always be Match Game and Family Feud.

[@markschroeder2578]

Once he flubbed a name or line, and I couldn't resist saying "Once a Crp. Peter Newkirk, always a Crp. Peter Newkirk!" 😂😂

[@ElmoUnk1953]

As soon as you said “King Rat”, I said “Oh yeah!” He played a commando that liberated a Japanese POW camp. 👌😁

[@skipjacksailing8986]

Good sir. I like and appreciate these videos. I would love to learn more about the gentleman that played Colonel Crittendon! Good show, 'ol boy!

[@wh4193]

Bernard Fox! He was great, I've seen him on The Andy Griffith Show, Columbo, and The Dick Van Dyke Show

[@FreyaTait]

Fox also played Samantha's physician, Dr. Bombay, on Bewitched.

[@pamelamays4186]

Newkirk was one of my favorite Heroes. As for Family Feud, he was awesome and also was a snazzy dresser. He also appeared on Miami Vice as a game show host on the fictional Rat Race.

[@captainjamestkirk5350]

I think he was a better host than Steve Harvey

[@nancyking]

@@captainjamestkirk5350 I think so, too.

[@nancyking]

I looked, but couldn't find this episode of Miami Vice on IMDB. Maybe he wasn't credited?

[@democratactivist]

One of my favorite comedians

[@jimeagle5483]

This guy was cool, personified. And ALL the women loved him.

[@Drinks4450]

@Cool Classics. Man you are really good at this. You really do your homework on everyone you showcase. Great job! Another great video. 😁😁😁😁😁

[@jamesdempster8052]

He was in an The Outer Limits episode 'The Invisibles' as Dick Dawson.

[@erikalewis305]

We are so ready for another sitcom! Can’t wait to see what you pick! I really am enjoying this👍👍

[@Observer-jw8wv]

I have heard, as you have, that Dawson's superb performance in King Rat sold the producers of Hogan's Heroes on Richard Dawson. However, I am doubtful. The pilot of Hogan's Heroes was cast in December 1964 and filmed in January 1965. King Rat did not premiere until October 1965. Rushes may have been available earlier in the year, but nine months earlier? That has never made sense to me. As for King Rat, you should just look online for the trailer. His entire performance is in it. He had a very small but powerful role.

[@FreyaTait]

Thanks for the info on the trailer. I can see Dawson now without having to watch the movie.

[@Mr683465]

King Rat. Excellent movie. I need to see that movie again to find him.

[@sdgakatbk]

Also as to Dawson's psychedelic song, there was also the William Shatner version of Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Really more like Captain Kirk covering the song-yes it's that bad!

[@lalannej]

Shatner did a whole album titled "Has Been", and featuring the song "You're Going To Die"! He played a lot of square roles, but you can't beat his sense of humor or humility. Leonard Nimoy also did some painful music and voiceovers.

[@AmandaHugandKiss411]

Cool Classics: I love your voice. You have the perfect voice for the type of content you produce. Even when you are not laughing you can "feel" a warm smile that you project. At the same time sounding sincere when talking about some of the more serious aspects of your videos. You could be a talk show host or a very popular KZbinr 😉

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

YOU ARE REALLY GOOD. THIS WAS EXCELLENT. SO GLAD I SUBBED. RICHARD DAWSON TRULY IS AN ICON.

[@lalannej]

I will always remember the episode of Dick Van Dyke when Richard Dawson plays himself as this weeks featured star of the fictional comedy show that Rob is writing for (I forget the name of the show, Alan something). Spending the week at Robs house, Richard causes Rob great anxiety and confusion because he starts aggressively hitting on Robs wife Laura (MTM) when Rob is away. Eventually Rob realizes that Richards character is emotionally and psychologically damaged, and if he is not in the spotlight then he is reduced to chasing women uncontrollably. Overcome with pity and mercy, Rob decides, "Lets write him the best show we ever wrote". I just thought it was an amazingly high-water mark level of compassion in a sitcom, which wasn't often repeated in later or less mature sitcoms than Dick Van Dyke, which had such a seasoned and professional cast of comics and writers.

[@lalannej]

They wrote for the Alan Brady Show, correct?

[@funzjag]

@@lalannej You are correct!

[@FreyaTait]

Wasn't Dawson playing a character named Tracy Ratigan? The personality description does not fit Dawson at all.

[@jayklink851]

Favorite Hogan's Heroes characters in order. 1. Col "the bald eagle" Klink , 2. Schultz and finally, 3) Newkirk.

[@kennethbutler1343]

My fave was Hofstetter. Howard Caine was brilliant in being always angry at everyone and everything. His classic "What is this man doing here????" as well as "Hogan is the most dangerous man in all of Germany" still crack me up. Of course, in reality he'd have shot Hogan at some point but it WAS a comedy after all.

[@FreyaTait]

​@@kennethbutler1343A comedy, and a fantasy.

[@jaybomb8371]

Great job. Thanks 🇦🇺🇦🇺👍👍❤❤

[@protonneutron9046]

I feel old. So many of my favs are gone...

[@miketybring4700]

yes l agree born in 62 now 58 wow time flies.

[@FreyaTait]

​@@miketybring4700Born in 57, now 66. Time flies faster.

[@raymondhoagland4976]

Richard was smooth with the ladies !

[@hw5091]

as fucking glass. kissed them on the lips right in front of their husbands haha

[@andreacervelli1367]

i will go deeper but just discovered your stuff excellent

[@nancyking]

When I first saw him on The Dick Van Dyke show, I didn't recognize him; my dad had to tell me who he was, and after that, I still didn't believe it, he was so young! He was also on The New Dick Van Dyke Show, but it hasn't been released on DVD yet; you can only get them from collectors. I recognized him on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, though, because he was using his "real" voice, not an over-the-top accent. He was in the McCloud episode, Manhattan Manhunt (season 1, episode 4). In it, the character he played gets shot, but there was an accident, and he really *did* get shot, but it was in the left arm. I read on a fansite that he mentions this during a celebrity tournament of Family Feud, but doesn't say which one. I've looked, but can't find the 14 episodes of The Tonight Show that he guest-hosted on dvd; I think they're on streaming services. I wish whoever has the rights to these will upload them on youtube. They'd be a real treat to watch for any Richard Dawson fan. You can view the last interview he gave in 2010 by going on interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/richard-dawson Click view full interview; it is broken up into chapters. It was so sad to watch this at first because a couple of years before the interview, he suffered a stroke. He recovered enough, but his memory and voice were affected. The Jack Benny Program clip shown here at the 3:00 mark, can be seen in full on these links, but in two parts: Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGKsgZZpZdiLla8 The clip starts at 12:40 part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3XXqpKfmbSShsU have to watch full clip.

[@CoolClassics]

I could not find those Tonight Show episodes either. Somebody really has them on lockdown!

[@lars277]

Richard was always dressed to the nines. Personal grooming was spot on.

[@cornellwaters9089]

🛷 Thank You!

[@huntingthekaiser6490]

Dawson somehow paired quick hand gestures with what he was saying, and it helped make him distinctive. Watch him hold his microphone in an odd way in Running Man, or open a safe or pick a pocket with subtle flourishes in Hogan's Heroes. I can't quite explain it but it's there and I'm sure he evolved it because he didn't do it earlier in his career.

[@FreyaTait]

In the pilot, Newkirk was said to have been a stage magician in civilian life. Perhaps he developed those gestures because magicians use them.

[@chronicstitcher7933]

I'm really surprised you didn't mention the fact that he met his next wife on Family Feud, Gretchen. Her family played the game and he fell in love with her.

[@Carol-D.1324]

Same here!😮

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Yes, that does seem a bit of an oversight. But overall very well done!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

What a great little documentary! But one thing that was missed was the 1972-73 edition of I've Got a Secret. I think that show led to him being cast in MG'73 more than anything else.

[@aquariandawn4750]

Dude really made The Running Man worth the watch,considering how unlike the short story it came from to the screen.

[@TWayneD1020]

BEST FAMILY FEUD HOST EVER !!!!

[@CrazyCannuk804]

He was also in “The Devil’s Brigade”

[@johnmoldoch3338]

Dawson only appears in the final scene in King Rat. I won't give any spoilers, but the entire film is worth a look.

[@barbaradavis4919]

My Favorite Hero !

[@raffelsmith8921]

What up fam this is a young 58 young African-American hey I'm just putting it out there Richard Dawson was a great performer I was a fan of Hogan's heroes and he went to family feud I respect the brother I used to see him kiss black white internationality woman in my book I didn't know him personally but to me he was just another one of God's angels that is staying on Earth God bless us all

[@Irisheddy]

Richard: Name an animal with 3 letters in it's name Contestant: Alligator

[@CoolClassics]

🤣🤣🤣

[@FreyaTait]

That contestant explained that he thought it meant 3 "copies" of the same letter in its name, but alligator doesn't even achieve that! 😊

[@rhondawebb3469]

Had no idea about the game shows. We did not get this on TV in Australia - he was pretty suave !!

[@CoolClassics]

He really did seem very cool. Most of the women on the show were happy to be greeted by a kiss from him 🙂

[@scottburton9701]

Richard was a panelist on the network & syndicated version of "Match Game" from 1973-1978.

[@freedomforever6718]

Newkirk was my favorite HH.

[@realamerican6101]

It is nice to know more about Richard Dawson .

[@johnruskin4330]

Apples and Oranges was actually written by Syd Barret Pink Floyd and was released as a single 1969

[@pinatajuju4471]

Nice...thank you for sharing, I really liked him in everything he did. By the way does anyone know how many women he kissed?

[@jayklink851]

Good old sticky wicket Newkirk!

[@clazy8]

I always loved this guy, great charisma

[@gioknows]

I remember a Coca Cola commercial which came out in the 1972 Winter Olympics featuring chefs from around the world singing about Coke and the second last “chef” was Richard Dawson who sang the words “What the world want’s today” before an Italian chef sang the final part. Does anyone else remember it? Does anyone have a link? Been searching for years. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada 🍁

[@victorplume5143]

I remember watching King rat 🐀 with my brother back in the 1970s. We loved it straight from the very start of the movie. And when we were adults we'd reference it in certain situations over the years. I'd forgotten it was Richard D playing the part of King Rat but I remembered his character was impactful and charismatic in a dirty-rat way. Luv cool classics too... "HEEEeeeyyyy!" 😃

[@FreyaTait]

George Segal played the American Corporal King (King Rat).

[@NEPatsFan]

One very interesting fact was omitted. He met his last wife when she was a contestant on Family Feud. Her family was on for several days and he kept flirting with her. Knowing what happened it’s interesting to catch those episodes.

[@howardkeetch118]

Lived round the corner from me in queens road gosport when I lived there.

[@CoolClassics]

Woah!! Did you ever run into him?

[@howardkeetch118]

@@CoolClassics no he left there before I knew he lived there.

[@senorkapowssite]

Great career. Thanks C.Cs.

[@CoolClassics]

My pleasure!

[@thearthound]

You didn't mention that he met his 2nd wife on Family Feud. She was a contestant and a lot younger than him. He asked her father for permission to ask her out. They had a son, and apparently his retirement years were good. He was also a gourmet cook.

[@pinklady4772]

Omg, I had no idea he was British. My mom use to call him "A fresh old man."🤭

[@CoolClassics]

🤣

[@randallplett6842]

I read somewhere that Richard D was originally trying out for the role of Hogan.

[@MRBUCKY12345]

You make the best biography

[@CoolClassics]

Thank You Earle :)

[@marshpyke-thoth]

Did anyone mention his part in the Munster movie? The one where Herman inherits a castle in England.

[@hishers251]

Hogan’s Heroes… his bets work (IMO) I didn’t realise he hosted those quiz shows for so long.

[@tonytaylor5218]

Good video! One thing though…I can’t believe you didn’t include Richard marrying Gretchen, the young woman who was a contestant on Family Feud! I don’t remember how long they were together, but it was over 30-35 years or until his death.

[@mariannewhitefield7492]

King Rat is an awesome movie but if you want to see Richard Dawson he is in the very last part about 20 minutes before it ends. He is the first one there at the camp to liberate it. I highly recommend the movie.

[@ross2812]

Binge watching Cool Classics.

[@TangoRomeo121]

He was also in the WWII movie, “The Devil’s Brigade” in 1968.

[@izzy9132]

You haven't seen King Rat! It's George Segal's best work. You must see it. In fact I need to watch it again. It's in the same genre as the Great Escape.. Got so carried away I forgot Richard Dawson. He was debonaire in everything he did and never lost his sex appeal.

[@jrussellcase]

I gotta check out King Rat too, I've never seen that either. What I always wondered, and no one ever opines on.....why, on "The Match Game", and "The Family Feud", does he tamp down his English accent? As a child born in 1971, I assumed his accent on "Heroes" was an act, and his "Match Game/Family Feud" accent was real.....then I grew up and learned I had it completely backwards. 😂

[@CoolClassics]

🤣🤣🤣

[@melissamcfarlin6840]

There is an interview with him that was done not too long before he died where he mentioned that originally Newkirk’s accent was supposed to be Liverpool but the producers said the couldn’t understand him so he changed it to a Cockney accent.

[@jamesstipe4275]

Running man one of my fav

[@nancyking]

Mine, too. He was supposed to be parodying himself and it was so funny.

[@markschroeder2578]

Arnie: "I'll be back!" Dawson: "Only in a rerun!"

[@aquariandawn4750]

He made that move worth watching

[@littlebear1520]

I love Hogan's heroes I am also a Hogan's heroes geek that's a travesty of what happened to some of the stuff but they had more talent on that show than any show of today

[@jamesharbold4613]

Loved him in running man.

[@aquariandawn4750]

He made that one worth watching

[@chrischeshire6528]

I remember the January 21 1984 cover of TV guide showing Bob Barker, Pat Sajak, Wink Markindale, Bill Cullen. But no Dawson? Why, because he refused to be photographed with the others and would only be on the cover if he was by himself.

[@CoolClassics]

🤣

[@margaretbehler4935]

I was a big fan of Richard. He was funny and seemed very likeable.

[@WizoworDD]

What about the wife he met on Family Feud when she was a contestant?

[@butchyray6553]

thank you

[@jeffreyray1394]

I didn't see any mention of his role in the Devil's Brigade!!

[@harrisbobroff9813]

I watched a bunch of Hogan Hero shorts. Thanks I guess he did not remarry. His first wife was really gorgeous. But inside counts more.

[@CoolClassics]

Actually he did remarry but I left it out along with children, custody and a bunch of other TV and Movie appearances. These videos can go on and on and take takes days and days to make. 😁

[@harrisbobroff9813]

How kind of you to take the time to answer. Thanks so much. No reply to this is necessary, your other answer is sufficient. Thanks once again.

[@marbleman52]

Dawson divorced Diana Dors...wow, wonder what that was all about? Diana was sexuality in full bloom...!!

[@richgoemann9811]

You forgot Richard Dawson had a bit part in Munsters Go Home, as a English mover

[@CoolClassics]

I had to leave out a lot of stuff. He lived a full life 😁 I will need to mention it when I do my Munsters videos ( That is another top tier show )

[@Pau_Pau9]

This dude is so suave!

[@FrabkArriagaJr-nj9hr]

Cool guy... from Family Feud and Match Game

[@jerrysinclair3771]

I think it was amazing that he met and married on of the contestants on Family Feud. She had such an influence over Richard that she preferred he not kiss any more female contestants and Richard was more than happy to oblige his new bride. She alone was able to more than any network executive or the 200,000 letter writers.

[@funkyalfonso]

He was great on Laughin.

[@FrostyT330]

He met his wife after kissing her on the family feud. Lol

[@lasvegasbartender6123]

Yep