Peter Marshall, the charismatic host of the popular game show "The Hollywood Squares," has died at the age of 98. Marshall, known for his baritone voice and quick wit, entertained audiences for years by coaxing humorous responses from a lineup of celebrity guests. He hosted "The Hollywood Squares" from 1966 until 1981, earning himself four Daytime Emmy Awards during his tenure.

"The Hollywood Squares" was a unique twist on tic-tac-toe, combining celebrity guests and risqué humor in a daytime game show format. The set featured a grid of nine squares with a celebrity guest seated in each one. Contestants would choose a square and Marshall would pose a question to the star within it. The star would often respond with a witty remark before giving a serious answer. If the contestant guessed correctly, they would win the square. The first contestant to complete a line would win the game, and the first to win two games would receive cash and prizes.

Paul Lynde, the beloved comedian, became synonymous with the center square and entertained audiences with his quick comebacks throughout the show's run. The regular cast of "The Hollywood Squares" included familiar faces such as Wally Cox, Rose Marie, and Cliff Arquette, who portrayed the character Charley Weaver. The show also featured a wide array of guest stars, ranging from actors like Gene Hackman and Gloria Swanson to comedians like Andy Kaufman and Redd Foxx, as well as popular musicians such as Dolly Parton and Alice Cooper.

Marshall's memoir, "Backstage With the Original Hollywood Square," revealed that some contestants even went on to become celebrities themselves. Notable examples include country music duo Naomi Judd and O.J. Simpson, who later appeared on the show as a celebrity after winning the Heisman Trophy at the University of Southern California.

As the host, Marshall played the straight man opposite his comedic co-stars. He embraced his role as a nonentity, as the show's producers desired, delivering the perfect setups for the celebrities' witty responses. While Marshall assured that answers were never provided in advance, questions were tailored to fit each star's expertise or comic sensibility.

Amidst the tapings of several episodes in one evening, the cast members would enjoy boisterous dinners, fostering a relaxed atmosphere on set. This schedule allowed Marshall to continue his career in Las Vegas and to perform in popular musicals like "The Music Man" and "Guys and Dolls" during the summers.

"The Hollywood Squares" reached the height of its popularity throughout the late 1960s and '70s, with syndicated episodes airing in prime time. However, in 1976, a time slot change by NBC resulted in a decline in ratings. After several moves and changes over the years, NBC eventually canceled the show in 1980 to make way for "The David Letterman Show," which turned out to be unpopular with daytime audiences and was soon canceled itself. While Marshall did not return to NBC, he continued hosting the syndicated version of "Hollywood Squares" for another year before the show came to an end.

Born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Marshall's showbiz career began early on. Working as an usher at the Paramount Theater in Times Square while still a teenager, he gained experience as a disc jockey at NBC radio and eventually became a singer with Bob Chester's band. It was during this time that he adopted his sister's modeling surname, Marshall, at the suggestion of the band's leader.

After serving in the Army and entertaining troops as a disc jockey in Italy, Marshall partnered with his half-brother Tommy Noonan to form the comedy act, Noonan and Marshall. Together, they performed in various venues, including nightclubs, theaters, and even made appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and in feature films like "The Rookie" (1959), a military comedy where they starred.

Peter Marshall's time as Tommy Noonan's straight man proved to be a valuable training ground for his legendary hosting career on "The Hollywood Squares." His charm, quick wit, and ability to bring out the best in his celebrity guests will be fondly remembered by fans of the iconic game show.