Griffin, Merv

Griffin, (Mervyn Edward) Merv

(1925– ) television host, businessman; born in San Mateo, Calif. Originally a singer, he appeared on The CBS Morning Show in 1956, then hosted game shows like Keep Talking for ABC. He hosted the Merv Griffin Show (1965–86), producing Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in the 1980s. He invested in gambling casinos, becoming chairman of Resorts International, then was forced to sell his business to Coca-Cola in 1986 when he experienced financial difficulties.