Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 29, 1993 TAG: 9311290069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Moore, who to many viewers personified the ingenuousness that emerged from post-World War II America, had been forced by throat cancer and emphysema to leave television in the 1970s.
A son said he recovered from the throat cancer years ago but died of the emphysema. He was 78.
In 1976, Moore, former astronaut Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, actor Dick Van Dyke and then-Rep. Wilbur Mills were among 52 notables who identified themselves as recovering alcoholics to gain understanding for the disease.
"This is a great step forward," Moore said at the time.
Moore, in the best show business tradition, had emerged from small-time comedy clubs in Baltimore, St. Louis and Chicago to become a stalwart of first radio and then television.
But he was best known as the longtime host of "The Garry Moore Show," on both radio and TV, and such game shows as "I've Got a Secret" and "To Tell the Truth."
He won an Emmy and a Peabody Award but turned down recognition from patriotic and religious groups because he said his work wasn't that important.
The TV variety show he hosted for 17 years (1950-'67) became so successful that other stars, among them Judy Garland, modeled their programs on Moore's concept of gentle humor, song and whimsy.
After years of success on radio, the first "Garry Moore Show," telecast on June 26, 1950, featured songs, comedy sketches and chats.
The program's 1961-'62 season produced two Emmys: one for Moore and another for Carol Burnett for an appearance on the program.
He concurrently became the original moderator of "I've Got a Secret," which ran in syndication along with "To Tell the Truth" until the 1970s. Moore said his success was due to his seeming familiarity.
"I was an everyman," he said in a 1962 interview.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.