merv griffin

Biography

Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. (born July 6, 1925, San Mateo, California; died August 12, 2007, Los Angeles) was a multifaceted American entertainer whose career spanned singing, acting, television hosting, and media entrepreneurship. Raised in a Roman Catholic Irish-American family, Griffin began performing in his church choir and soon earned money as a church organist. He launched his professional career as a radio singer at age 19, later touring for four years with the Freddy Martin Orchestra. Griffin's breakout came with the 1950 novelty hit "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts," which sold three million copies and propelled him into national fame as a recording artist and nightclub performer.

Transitioning to television, Griffin became a familiar face as a regular on variety programs before hosting his own talk show, "The Merv Griffin Show," which ran in various forms from 1962 to 1986 and won multiple Emmy Awards. He was also a prolific game show creator, most notably developing "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune," two of the most enduring and popular syndicated television shows in history. Griffin's genial, unpretentious style as a host and his innovative approach to television production made him a beloved figure and a powerful force in American entertainment. His legacy endures through his game show creations and his influence on the talk show format.

Fun Facts

• Merv Griffin wrote the iconic 'Jeopardy!' theme music, originally titled 'A Time for Tony,' in less than a minute; it has earned him millions in royalties.
• He was declared unfit for military service during World War II due to a heart murmur, but later passed the physical for the Korean War draft—only to be considered too old.
• Griffin's 1950 hit 'I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts' sold over three million copies and reached number one on the Hit Parade.
• He bought back his Warner Bros. contract to focus on television, a move that led to his greatest successes as a talk show host and producer.

Associated Acts

• Merv Griffin and The Martin Men - eponymous

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Freddy Martin - Big band leader who discovered Griffin on radio and invited him to tour as a singer with his orchestra, providing Griffin's first major professional opportunity. (Touring and performing with the Freddy Martin Orchestra) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Kathryn Grayson - Co-starred with Griffin in the film 'So This Is Love' (1953), notable for a groundbreaking on-screen kiss. (So This Is Love (1953)) [1953]
• Doris Day - Arranged a Warner Bros. screen test for Griffin after seeing his nightclub act, helping launch his film career. (Screen test and subsequent film roles) [Early 1950s]

Artists Influenced

• Alex Trebek - Hosted Griffin's creation 'Jeopardy!' for decades, becoming synonymous with the show and benefiting from Griffin's innovative format. (Jeopardy! (hosted 1984–2020)) [1984–2020]
• Pat Sajak & Vanna White - Longtime hosts of 'Wheel of Fortune,' the game show Griffin created, shaping their careers and the genre. (Wheel of Fortune (hosts since 1980s)) [1980s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. I'll Remember April (Bewitched)
2. I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts (1950's Hits!, Vol. 4)
3. I'll Remember April (To Each His Own)
4. Manhattan (Bewitched)
5. Marching To Pretoria (My Favorite Songs)
6. Manhattan (To Each His Own)
7. House of Horrors (Teenage Monster (Spooky Monster Music))
8. House Of Horrors (Halloween Rock & Roll Party: Monster Oldies, Vol. 1)
9. Sail! Sail! Sail! (feat. Merv Griffin) (The Essential Merv Griffin - The Columbia Years)
10. Jeopardy: Think Music (in the style of Handel) (Mozart Tv - Favorite Tv Tunes in the Style of Great Classical Composers)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz