NBC's Card Sharks game show host Jim Perry died on Friday after battling cancer for five years. He died in Oregon two weeks before his 82nd birthday.
A statement released by the family said, "Today we lost the greatest father, friend and husband anybody could ever wish for. While he provided decades of entertainment to millions of people, his greatest victory was his growth as a human being - rising from a childhood filled with challenges including great poverty, to provide an amazing life for his family. The world is a better place for his having been here."
Perry was born in Camden, New Jersey, on Nov. 9, 1933 and went to University of Pennsylvania. The host was also a star basketball player - the reasons for his "Big Jim" nickname. He then joined the Special Services after graduation, working at the Armed Forces Radio during the Korean War.
Jim Perry started hosting the Card Sharks game show in 1978 until 1982. Perry also hosted "Sale of the Century" in 1982, which aired for a total of six years.
"Card Sharks" which is originally from Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions is a game wherein players guessed whether the cards handled by female assistants were higher or lower than previous ones. It was based on the card game Acey Deucey and featured huge, oversized playing cards.
On the other hand, Perry served as the quizmaster for "Sale of the Century" which from Reg Grundy Productions.
Other hosting ventures done by Perry included Canada's "Headline Hunters" and "Definition" and Miss Canada Pageant from 1967 until 1990.
His Hollywood stint took off after pairing Las Vegas with comedian Sid Ceaser. They also toured Las Vegas together for three years. Perry is also an author of two self-awareness books.
Perry is survived by his wife of 52 years, June and their two children.
