Biography for
Art Linkletter More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

17 July 1912, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada

Date of Death

26 May 2010, Bel-Air, California, USA

Birth Name

Gordon Arthur Kelly

Spouse

Lois Foerster

(25 November 1935 - 26 May 2010) (his death) 5 children

Trivia

Father of Jack Linkletter and Diane Linkletter.

In 1969, his daughter, Diane Linkletter, committed suicide by jumping out of her kitchen window. He blamed LSD and became very outspoken against drugs. Several reports at the time showed that LSD played no role, but Art still continued to speak out against the psychedelic movement for many years.

Grand marshal, Tournament of Roses parade [2003]

Appointed to President Richard Nixon's national advisory council for drug abuse prevention, education and information following the drug-related suicide of daughter, Diane Linkletter.

One of America's most dedicated humanitarians, Art has been recognized for his work for the National Easter Seals Foundation, the National Heart Foundation, the Foster Parents Plan and Goodwill Industries.

His lecture tour is entitled "Old Age Is Not for Sissies", which is also the title of his 23rd book.

Only person in TV history to have five shows concurrently on network TV.

Friend Walt Disney could only afford to pay Linkletter scale to help host the Disneyland grand opening special Dateline: Disneyland (1955) (TV); in return, Linkletter asked for and received the park's camera and film concessions for 10 years.

Shares his birthday (July 17th) with Disneyland, where he hosted the grand opening in 1955 and returned 50 years later to help host the celebration on July 17th 2005, and is the only celebrity to appear at Disneyland publicly both of those days.

Adopted by John, an evangelical preacher, and Mary Linkletter, as a baby.

Children: Jack Linkletter (Arthur), Dawn, Robert Linkletter, Sharon, and Diane Linkletter. He was a good friend of Walt Disney. It might be coincidence, but Disney's children, who arrived first, were also named Sharon and Diane.

Host of two of the longest-running shows in USA broadcast history: "The Linkletter Show" (1952), which ran on CBS radio and TV for 25 years, and "People Are Funny" (1954) on NBC radio and TV for 19 years. Linkletter was famous for interviewing children on "The Linkletter Show" (1952) and "Kids Say the Darndest Things" (1998), which led to a successful series of books quoting children.

Only three months before daughter Diane Linkletter's fatal leap from her apartment high-rise on October 4, 1969, Art's oldest daughter Dawn's husband, John Zweyer, 33, committed suicide by a gunshot to the head over his failing insurance business on July 15th.

Son Robert Linkletter, 34, was killed in a car accident. A woman was later sentenced on January 17, 1981, to a year's probation on her plea of no contest to vehicular manslaughter.

His ongoing marriage to Lois Foerster, was on Monday, November 25, 1935. Their marriage was the second longest in Hollywood history, it lasted 27,211 days. Monday, November 25, 1935 to Wednesday, May 26, 2010 differ 27,211 days, equaling 3,887 weeks and 5 days, total. Only Norman and Peggy Lloyd had a longer recorded marriage.

He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: For Radio at 6363 Hollywood Boulevard, and for Television at 1560 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

Art Linkletter's date of birth was July 17th, 1912, which was a Wednesday. And after entering eternity, on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010, his lifetime, was 97 years, 10 months and 9 days. In weeks, he was 5,106 weeks. And days, his lifetime lasted 35,742 days. Also, his marriage to Lois Foerster was on Monday, November 25th, 1935 to Wednesday, May 26th, 2010, lasted 74 years, 6 months and 1 day, totaling 27,211 days, then equaling 3,887 weeks and 2 days.

Personal Quotes

Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out.

Diplomacy - the art of jumping into trouble without making a splash.