American entertainer and singer with the Kay Kayser band, became an MC. In clubs and theaters and a TV host of his own show in ’60s and ’70s, He won an Emmy in 1967 for best individual achievement in daytime programming. His was the first syndicated TV show to win an emmy and the program, “”The Mike Douglas Show”” ran for 20 years. A genial host, he interviewed many newsworthy people from politician to entertainer but always in a gentle, non-probing way.
Born the son of the son of a railway freight agent and a homemaker, Douglas landed a gig as a teenager, crooning on a Great Lakes cruise ship. After World War II, he moved to California and sang for his paycheck with various big bands and small-venue shows. Shortly afterward, he returned to Chicago, where he hosted the musical “”Hi, Ladies”” on TV, but his career foundered. In 1961 he was approached to host a talk show which became known as “”The Mike Douglas Show”” and lasted until 1981. In 1999, he wrote his memoir “”I’ll Be Right Back: Memories of TV’s Greatest Talk Show.”
He was married for 62 years to his wife Genevieve, and they had three daughters.
The TV host and entertainer died on his 86th birthday, August 11, 2006 at 5:30 AM in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, according to his wife, who did not know the cause of death. Douglas had been admitted to the hospital the day prior.
Link to Wikipedia biography