Game Show Legend Monty Hall Dies At 96

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA)  —   Game show legend Monty Hall has died.

Hall was 96.

The long-time host of the classic 60s and 70s era game"Let's Make a Deal" was born Monte Halperin in Manitoba, Canada.

Hall started his career in radio including stints as a deejay and analyst for the New York Rangers hockey team from 1959-60.

In 1960 he started hosting games shows, usually as a fill-in for hosts who were on vacation. His first lasting break came with "Video Village" from 1960-62.

In 1963, he and producing partner Stefan Hatos, created "Let's Make a Deal." The show first ran on NBC daytime from 1963-68 and then on ABC from 1968-76..

The popular show also had two syndication runs -- same format, real people dressed in bizarre costumes trying to win prices. Winners were offered a "deal" to up their win, but they took a chance they might be zonked, losing a great vacation for a year's supply of goat milk.

Hall and Hatos went on to produce a slew of game shows, most didn't last more than a year. But "Let's Make A Deal" made them both very rich.

CBS produced an updated version of the classic show in 2009 with comedian/actor Wayne Brady as host. Hall was listed as an executive producer on the series.

The legendary game show host was inducted into the Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007.  The Game Show Network ranked him #4 in the Top Ten game show hosts of all time. Time Life ranked him #8 of the 15 best ever game show hosts list. He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ( at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard) in 1973.

Hall married a distant cousin in 1947. He and wife Marilyn were married until her death in June of this year.

The couple had three children. Daughter Joanna Gleason is a Tony Award winning singer and actress. Daughter Sharon Hall Kessler is head of Alcon Entertainment, son Richard Hall is a TV producer.