Hal March

Hal March (born Harold Mendelson; April 22, 1920 – January 19, 1970) was an American comedian, actor, and television quiz show emcee.

Early career March entered show business as a straight man in the vaudeville act the Hollywood Rioteers, before serving in the U.S. Army beginning in 1941. From 1944 through 1948 he teamed with comedy partner Bob Sweeney in The Bob Sweeney-Hal March Show on CBS Radio. He also appeared in The Adventures of Sam Spade, which ran on CBS from 1946 to 1949.

He went on to appear on such shows as The Imogene Coca Show, I Love Lucy, and Willy. In the summer of 1955, March joined John Dehner and Tom D'Andrea in the 11-episode NBC summer series, The Soldiers, a military comedy produced and directed by Bud Yorkin. D'Andrea temporarily left the William Bendix sitcom The Life of Riley for this chance at his own series.

He was the Mystery Guest on the October 9, 1955, episode of What's My Line? He was guessed by Bennett Cerf.

The $64,000 Question March was arguably best known as the host of The $64,000 Question, which he helmed from 1955 to 1958. In addition to his hosting duties, March also sang a version of the show's theme music in 1956, titled "Love Is the Sixty-Four Thousand Dollar Question."

As a result of the quiz show scandals, the show was canceled, and with the exception of a few film roles such as Hear Me Good and Send Me No Flowers, March was largely out of work for nearly a decade.

Later career To keep busy, March continued to appear in guest-starring roles, even starring in a 1961 unsold television pilot for a comedy titled I Married a Dog, in which his life was constantly upset by his wife's pooch. He appeared in several sitcoms in 1966 that are still widely rerun today. Among these are a role as the father of Gidget's boyfriend Jeff in the Gidget episode "In and Out with the In-Laws" and the head of corrupt dance studio in The Monkees episode "Dance Monkee, Dance." He also made appearances in the sitcoms Hey, Landlord and The Lucy Show as well as in the film A Guide for the Married Man.

In 1961, he played the lead in Neil Simon's first Broadway play, Come Blow Your Horn, which ran for 677 performances.

Death March's career took a turn for the better in July 1969 when he began hosting the game show It's Your Bet. After completing approximately 13 weeks of taping, however, he complained of exhaustion. Tests revealed that he had lung cancer, the result of years of chain smoking. He had one lung removed. When he subsequently contracted pneumonia, he was too weak to fight it. March died in January 1970 in Los Angeles at age 49, and is buried in Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.

Accolades March was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one for his radio work at 1560 Vine Street, and another for his work in television at 6536 Hollywood Boulevard.

Personal life In 1956, March married Candy Toxton, the former wife of singer Mel Tormé. He also hosts the Netflix series Sugar Rush, E! TV's Nightly Pop, and the Netflix mobile game show Best Guess Live.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1949 Champion Mobster Uncredited The Story of Molly X Max Hayden Uncredited 1950 Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town Detective Mike Eskow Outrage Detective Sergeant Hendrix 1953 Combat Squad Henry Gordon The Eddie Cantor Story Gus Edwards 1954 Yankee Pasha Hassan Sendar The Atomic Kid Agent Ray 1955 It's Always Fair Weather Rocky Heldon Uncredited My Sister Eileen Pete - First Drunk 1957 Hear Me Good Marty Holland 1964 Send Me No Flowers Winston Burr 1967 A Guide for the Married Man Technical Adviser (Man who loses coat)

Television Year Title Role Notes1950 The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show Harry Morton Regular, Episodes 1–7, Oct 12 – Dec 28, 19501957 The Jack Benny Program Himself S8:E3, "Hal March Show" October 20, 19571966 The Monkees Renaldo S1:E14, "Dance, Monkee, Dance"