Gene Wood

Gene Wood
Gene Wood in an on-camera appearance on the finale of Card Sharks in 1981.
Born
Eugene Edward Wood

(1925-10-20)October 20, 1925
Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedMay 21, 2004(2004-05-21) (aged 78)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation(s)Television personality, announcer, game show host
Years active1951–1998
Spouse
Carleen Anderson
​
(m. 1960)​
Children3

Eugene Edward Wood (October 20, 1925 – May 21, 2004) was an American television personality, known primarily for his work as an announcer on various game shows. From the 1950s to the 1990s, he announced many game shows, primarily Mark Goodson–Bill Todman productions such as Family Feud, Classic Concentration, Card Sharks, Password, and Beat the Clock. Wood also served a brief stint as a host on this last show, and on another show, Anything You Can Do. After retiring from game shows in 1996, Wood worked as an announcer for the Game Show Network until his retirement in 1998.

Early life

Wood was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. Wood majored in speech and theater at Emerson College.[1]

Career

Early career

Wood wrote one episode for The Arlene Francis Show in 1958. His early career included stand-up comedy, television commercials, and writing for Bob Keeshan of Captain Kangaroo fame.[1] This work included a Terrytoons-produced cartoon series, The Adventures of Lariat Sam, which aired on the Captain Kangaroo show.[2][3] Wood also supplied voices and sang the theme song. Wood also had a comedy career, often pairing with partner Bill Dana, performing their comedy act at nightclubs.[4] Wood with Jay Burton wrote one episode for When Things Were Rotten, "The French Dis-connection", in 1975.[5]

Announcing

Wood's first role as a game show announcer came as a substitute on the ABC version of Supermarket Sweep and The Soupy Sales Hour[6] in 1966; three years later, he began a long association with Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, where he worked on Beat the Clock as its announcer from 1969 to 1972;[7][8] after the departure of the show's host, Jack Narz, Wood then took over as host of Beat the Clock, with Nick Holenreich serving as announcer.[1][9] Wood hosted the 1971–72 season of the short-lived game show Anything You Can Do, which featured teams of men competing against teams of women in stunts similar to Beat the Clock.[10][11] He also appeared as a celebrity panelist on one week of Match Game in 1974. By 1976, Wood had become a regular announcer for Goodson–Todman, working as voice-over for many of the company's game shows.[1] In addition to his role as announcer, he regularly served as a warm-up act for the audiences on these shows, and often performed a series of comedy skits.

Among Wood's most popular jobs was as announcer on the original version of Family Feud.[1] The original version, hosted by Richard Dawson, ran on ABC from 1976 to 1985.[12][13][14] When Family Feud was revived in 1988 with Ray Combs as host, he announced on that version as well through the 1994–1995 season,[13][15] during which Dawson returned as host.[13] Another show for which Wood announced on both the original version and a revival was Card Sharks. The show's first incarnation, starring Jim Perry, ran from 1978 to 1981 on NBC,[16][17] while two concurrent revivals (one on CBS and another in syndication, hosted by Bob Eubanks[18] and Bill Rafferty, respectively) ran from 1986 to 1989.[19] He announced for Child's Play from 1982 to 1983.[20][21][22] Wood announced the first few weeks of Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak on ABC,[23] before being replaced by Marc Summers.

After the 1985 death of the original announcer Johnny Olson on the Bob Barker version of The Price Is Right, Wood was one of four interim announcers on that show, until Rod Roddy was chosen as Olson's successor. At that same time, he also announced on the nightly syndicated version hosted by Tom Kennedy that ran for the season. According to former producer Roger Dobkowitz, between Barker, Goodson, and Dobkowitz himself, they felt that his voice was a little on the harsh side and was unsuitable for the show, despite his experience.[24]

Wood returned to Price briefly in 1998 to read the summer rerun fee plugs. He also filled in for Olson, during the final weeks of the Tom Kennedy-hosted version of Body Language. Other shows on which Wood served as a regular announcer were Password (CBS, 1963–67),[25][26] Now You See It (CBS, 1974–78),[27] Tattletales (CBS, 1974–78),[28] Double Dare (CBS, 1976–77), Showoffs (ABC, 1976–78),[29] The Better Sex (ABC, 1977–78),[30][31] Password Plus (NBC, 1979–82),[25][26][32] Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour (NBC, 1983–84),[33][34] Trivia Trap (ABC, 1984–85)[35] Super Password (NBC, 1984–89),[26][36] Love Connection (Syndication, 1985–1988),[37] Classic Concentration (NBC, 1987–91),[38] Win, Lose or Draw (Syndicated, 1987–90),[39] the Ross Shafer-hosted Match Game (1990–91),[40][41] Baby Races (Family Channel, 1993–94),[42] and Family Challenge (1995–96).[43] Prior to his retirement in the late 1990s, Wood also did voiceovers for the Game Show Network.[44]

Personal life and death

Wood married Carleen Anderson in 1960. They had two daughters, Sasha and Mia, together. He had one son, Timothy, from a previous marriage.[44] Wood retired to Adamsville, Rhode Island in the 1990s.[1] He died of lung cancer in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 21, 2004.[44]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Gene Wood, 78; Announcer for Popular TV Game Shows". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times Communications LLC. May 27, 2004. ISSN 2165-1736. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  2. ^ Marill, Alvin H. (2011). Television Westerns: Six Decades of Sagebrush Sheriffs, Scalawags, and Sidewinders. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0810881334.
  3. ^ LoBrutto, Vincent (2018). TV in the USA: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas. Vol. 3. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-1440829734.
  4. ^ "Bill Dana profile". comedyland.net. September 4, 2007. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  5. ^ "When Things Were Rotten – Season 1, Episode 2: The French Dis-Connection". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  6. ^ Nollen, Scott Allen; Nollen, Yuyun Yuningsih (2020). Chester Morris: His Life and Career (Paperback). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 297. ISBN 978-1476677293.
  7. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 84. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  8. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2024). Encyclopedia of Television Shows: Supplement 2--Broadcast, Cable and Streaming, 2017-2022 (Paperback). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 15. ISBN 978-1476684130.
  9. ^ Chance, Norman (2010). Who Was Who on TV (eBook). Vol. 1. Bloomington, Indiana: Xlibris. p. 143. ISBN 978-1456821296.
  10. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 52. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  11. ^ Chance, Norman (2010). Who Was Who on TV (eBook). Vol. 1. Bloomington, Indiana: Xlibris. p. 92. ISBN 978-1456821296.
  12. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 136. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  13. ^ a b c Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 325. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  14. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings Since 1949 (eBook). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 269. ISBN 978-0810892507.
  15. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings Since 1949 (eBook). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 270. ISBN 978-0810892507.
  16. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 75. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  17. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 163. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  18. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 753. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  19. ^ Chance, Norman (2010). Who Was Who on TV (eBook). Vol. 1. Bloomington, Indiana: Xlibris. p. 230. ISBN 978-1456821296.
  20. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 87. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  21. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 184. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  22. ^ Chance, Norman (2010). Who Was Who on TV (eBook). Vol. 1. Bloomington, Indiana: Xlibris. p. 249. ISBN 978-1456821296.
  23. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 142. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  24. ^ "Interview with Roger Dobkowitz". Slow Boat to The Land of Parting Gifts. April 26, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2015 – via Wordpress.
  25. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2024). Encyclopedia of Television Shows: Supplement 2--Broadcast, Cable and Streaming, 2017-2022 (Paperback). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 131. ISBN 978-1476684130.
  26. ^ a b c Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 816. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  27. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 302. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  28. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 1055. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  29. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 377. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  30. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 93. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  31. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 43. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  32. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 319. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  33. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials (Hardcover). Vol. 2. New York City: New York Zoetrope. p. 269. ISBN 978-0918432612.
  34. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 469. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  35. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 1108. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  36. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2024). Encyclopedia of Television Shows: Supplement 2--Broadcast, Cable and Streaming, 2017-2022 (Paperback). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 132. ISBN 978-1476684130.
  37. ^ Schwartz, David; Ryan, Steve; Wostbrock, Fred (1999). The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows (Paperback) (3rd ed.). New York City: Checkmark Books. p. 130. ISBN 0-8160-3846-5.
  38. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 206. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  39. ^ Schwartz, David; Ryan, Steve; Wostbrock, Fred (1999). The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows (Paperback) (3rd ed.). New York City: Checkmark Books. pp. 261–262. ISBN 0-8160-3846-5.
  40. ^ Hadleigh, Boze (2023). Game Show Confidential: The Story of an American Obsession (eBook). Essex, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-1493072590.
  41. ^ "Match Game". Television Academy Foundation. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  42. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 (eBook). Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 65. ISBN 978-0786486410.
  43. ^ Chance, Norman (2010). Who Was Who on TV (eBook). Vol. 1. Bloomington, Indiana: Xlibris. p. 483. ISBN 978-1456821296.
  44. ^ a b c "Gene Wood, 78, Game Show Announcer". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. June 14, 2004. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
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