Art Fleming
Arthur Fleming Fazzin (May 1, 1924-April 25, 1995) was an American television host. He is best known as the original host of the game show Jeopardy! from 1964 until 1975 and again from 1978 to 1979.
Art Fleming | |
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 Fleming in August 1970 | |
| Born | Arthur Fleming Fazzin May 1, 1924 |
| Died | April 25, 1995 (aged 70) |
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| Years active | 1949–1992 |
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Biography
He was born in New York City to William and Marie Fazzin, who had emigrated to the United States from Austria. Art studied at Colgate and Cornell Universities, and he later served in the United States Navy during World War II.
Fleming first appeared on television as a body double for Ralph Bellamy in a detective series called Man Against Crime. He later starred in movies like The Flying Tigers and International Detective. He also played a lawyer named Jeremy Pitt in an NBC series called The Californians. It was set during the gold rush in San Francisco in the 1850s. He also appeared in television commercials before becoming the first host of the game show Jeopardy! on March 30, 1964. Fleming hosted Jeopardy! until 1975. He won two Emmy Awards for that program.
Fleming died after a two week battle with pancreatic cancer on April 25, 1995, just six days before turning 71. The same disease would later affect his successor on Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek, 25 years later when he died on November 8, 2020 at the age of 80.
Art Fleming Media
A 1970 NBC publicity photo featuring Art James, Bob Clayton, Jack Kelly, and Fleming
Other websites
- Art Fleming on IMDb
| Media offices | ||
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| Preceded by Position created |
Host of Jeopardy! 1964-1975, 1978-1979 |
Succeeded by Alex Trebek |
| Preceded by Robert Earle |
College Bowl host 1978-79 (Televised Semifinals and Finals) |
Succeeded by Pat Sajak 1984 Televised Semifinals and Finals |