Who was the original host of the U.S. show "The Price Is Right"?

Born William Lawrence Francis Cullen, Bill Cullen (1920 - 1990), as he was known professionally and personally by friends and associates, was a USA radio and TV personality whose career spanned five decades. His biggest claim to fame was as a game show host. Over the course of his career, he hosted 35 shows, and earned the nickname "Dean of Game Show Hosts". In 1956 to 1966, Cullen hosted the initial daytime and primetime versions of the U.S. show "The Price Is Right" (Networks: Original NBC 1956–1963 and then ABC 1963–1965).

On "The Price Is Right" presented by Cullen, four contestants – one a returning champion and the other three chosen from the studio audience – would bid on items or items in ensembles in an auction-style format. The winner had the best bid related to the item(s).

Cullen was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; he was an only child. He attended South High School in Pittsburgh. Next, he attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied medicine. At the same time, he attended a local broadcasting school called Microphone Playhouse. This allowed him to make certain contacts in local radio. He was good on the radio and would transition his caeer into TV in 1949. Within the1950s, Bill had gradually determined that his niche was hosting game shows and settled into it. He continued to be very popular into the 1970s and the 1980s ("The Joker's Wild").

Cullen, a smoker most of his life, died in July 1990 of lung cancer in Bel Air, CA. He was age 70.