Chuck Woolery, renowned as the host of classic game shows like Love Connection and Wheel of Fortune, later becoming a conservative voice in podcasting, passed away at his Texas home at the age of 83. His wife, Kristen, was by his side, confirmed his podcast co-host, Mark Young, on Sunday.
Famed for his quick wit and the memorable "two and two" sign-off, Woolery left an indelible mark on television. He hosted numerous beloved shows, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1978 and being inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007. Woolery launched his TV career as the original host of Wheel of Fortune in 1975 and later cemented his legacy with Love Connection, a cultural phenomenon during its 11-season run.
Before his television career, Woolery dabbled in music, achieving a Top 40 hit with his band, The Avant-Garde. He is survived by his wife and three children. Young described him as a “dear friend and brother” who lived with faith and passion.
Woolery’s Views on Donald Trump
Woolery was an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, co-hosting the conservative podcast Blunt Force Truth with Young since 2014.
In a 2017 interview with The New York Times, Woolery described himself as a "conservative libertarian and constitutionalist." Initially hesitant about Trump, he eventually supported him, fearing the country’s shift toward socialism and the erosion of the Constitution.
“I was not a Trump backer in the beginning,” Woolery said. “But I eventually got on board... Nobody can change Washington from the inside. They're all phonies.”
In 2019, Woolery tweeted that his open support for Trump had effectively ended his career. “Yes, I have pretty much destroyed my career by openly supporting Trump... After all is said and done, it was my choice, and I can live with it. I would do it all again.”
COVID-19 Controversy
Woolery drew significant criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic for accusing institutions like the CDC, media, and certain doctors of lying about the virus for political purposes.
In July 2020, a tweet by Woolery claimed, “The most outrageous lies are the ones about COVID-19,” alleging political motives behind the narrative. Days later, after revealing his son had contracted the virus, he acknowledged its reality, tweeting, “COVID-19 is real and it is here,” before briefly deactivating his account.
On his podcast, Woolery argued that the pandemic had been “weaponized” for political purposes, citing unnamed doctors who questioned the effectiveness of masks. Despite the controversies, he maintained that his comments were misunderstood, asserting that while the virus was real, public trust had been manipulated.
Woolery's legacy is a testament to a life marked by both entertainment and unapologetic convictions.
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