what happened to the original family feud host
Richard Dawson (born Colin Lionel Emm; 20 November 1932 -- 2 June 2012) was a British-American actor and comedian, and a game show host and panelist in the United States. Dawson was well known for playing Corporal Peter Newkirk on Hogan's Heroes, as a regular panelist in 1973 -- 1978 on Match Game, and as the original host of Family Feud in 1976 -- 1985 and 1994 -- 1995.