Tom Kennedy

James Edward Narz or Tom Kennedy (February 26, 1927-October 7, 2020) in Louisville, Kentucky) is an American television host best known for his work in game shows. The game shows Kennedy has hosted include You Don't Say!, Split Second and Name That Tune.

Early Life
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Kennedy is the son of John Lawrence Narz Sr. and the younger brother of host Jack Narz whose son David, related about his uncle's name change that the brothers wanted to avoid the perceived conflict of having two announcers with the same last name promoting competing products. "After a lunch meeting with his agent" he said, "... he emerged as Tom Kennedy".

Kennedy attended the University of Missouri and the University of Kentucky.

Radio
While attending the University of Missouri, Kennedy worked at KFRU in Columbia, Missouri. While in Lexington, Kentucky. He worked at WKLX. After moving to Los Angeles, he worked for five years at KPOL and had a part-time job at KGIL.

Shows
Kennedy's biggest hit series were: You Don't Say! which aired on NBC from 1963 to 1969 and on ABC in Split Second (1972-75); Name That Tune (1974-81) and Password Plus which he hosted from 1980 until 1982 following the illness (and later death) of original host Allen Ludden.

His other hosting credits include The Big Game (1958), Doctor IQ (1958-59), It's Your Bet (1971-72), Break the Bank (1976), 50 Grand Slam (1976), To Say the Least (1977-78), Whew! (1979-80), Body Language (1984-86) a syndicated nighttime version of The Price is Right (1985-86) and Wordplay (1986-87). He briefly hosted a talk show. The Real Tom Kennedy Show in the early 1970s and appeared as a guest panelist on To Tell the Truth, The Hollywood Squares, Liar's Club and other game shows.

As an actor, he made guest appearances on such shows as The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Cannon, Hardcastle and McCormick and Cybill.

Retirement
Kennedy retired in 1989 after several game show pilots produced by his production company filed to sell. In 2003, he appeared on Hollywood Squares during "Game Show Week: Part 2".

Awards
In 2005, he and his brother Jack Narz, were co-recipient of the Game Show Congress' Bill Cullen Award for Lifetime Achievement. (Cullen was a brother-in-law to Narz and Kenney).

Death
On October 7, 2020; Kennedy passed away at the age of 93.

Tribute Marathon
On October 24, 2020; Buzzr did a marathon that celebrated his legacy which consisted episodes of Body Language, To Tell the Truth (with Garry Moore) and Password Plus.

Goodson-Todman Shows Hosted
Password Plus (1980-1982)

Body Language

The Price is Right (1985-1986/Syndicated)

Goodson-Todman Shows Appeared
The Match Game

Password

Card Sharks

Password Plus

All-Star Family Feud Special

Blockbusters (to plug Password Plus in 1981)

Super Password