Allen Ludden (October 5, 1917 – June 9, 1981) was an American television personality, emcee and game show host.
He was born as Allen Packard Ellsworth in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. His father, Elmer Ellsworth, died at age 26, on January 6, 1919, when Allen was a toddler. Allen later took the surname "Ludden" from his stepfather.
An English and dramatics major at the University of Texas, Ludden graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors in 1940 and recei...
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Allen Ludden (October 5, 1917 – June 9, 1981) was an American television personality, emcee and game show host.
He was born as Allen Packard Ellsworth in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. His father, Elmer Ellsworth, died at age 26, on January 6, 1919, when Allen was a toddler. Allen later took the surname "Ludden" from his stepfather.
An English and dramatics major at the University of Texas, Ludden graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors in 1940 and received his Master of Arts in English from the same university in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army, received a Bronze Star, and was discharged with the rank of captain in 1946. During the late 1940s and early 1950s he carved out a career as an advisor for youth in teen magazine columns and on radio. His radio show for teenagers, Mind Your Manners, received a Peabody Award in 1950.
Ludden hosted many game shows, including the GE College Bowl, but he was most well-known for hosting both the daytime and prime time versions of Password on CBS and ABC...
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