Johnny Olson - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Johnny Olson was born on May 22, 1910 in Windom, Minnesota. He first worked in radio in Madison, Wisconsin and Chicago before landing a network job in New York. It was in New York that he began his long association with Mark Goodson and Bill Todman who produced a number of popular radio and TV game shows, including “The Price is Right.” It was “The Price is Right,” that Olson is most famous for as it was him that coined the phrase, “Come on Down, You are the next contestant on the Price is Right.” From the first show, which aired on September 4, 1972, until his death on October 12, 1985, Johnny Olson invited hundreds of contestants to “Come on Down.” Johnny Olson spent his time away from Hollywood at Buckingham Acres, a farm he owned in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Johnny suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in Santa Monica, California and died on October 12, 1985. He is resting in the Mausoleum at Rosewood Cemetery in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

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The Coordinates for this waymark were taken at the entrance to the Mausoleum.

Description: Johnny Olson was born on May 22, 1910 in Windom, Minnesota. His first job in radio was at WIBA and KGDA in Madison, Wisconsin. He moved on to a network job with NBC radio in 1944 hosting the musical game show “Ladies Be Seated.” Olson moved on to television in 1958 when he landed a job as the announcer on the original “Name That Tune,” beginning his long association with Mark Goodson and Bill Todman. Beginning in 1960, Olson announced the CBS prime-time panel game “To Tell The Truth,” on which he greeted each team of challengers with the question, "What is your name, please?". The following year, he added duties on sister show, What's My Line? and in 1962 began announcing in the original Match Game which was hosted by Gene Rayburn in daytime on NBC until that series ended in 1969. Johnny Olson also served as the announcer for The Jackie Gleason Show from 1962 until its cancellation in 1970. Olson continued to announce “What's My Line?” and “To Tell the Truth,” after both shows moved from CBS to syndication in the late 1960s. His involvement with both of them ended when he was designated announcer of the 1972 revivals of The Price Is Right and I've Got a Secret, both of which were taped in Hollywood. His association with “The Price is Right,” cemented his fame as not only a popular announcer but also a valued member of the cast. From the first show airing September 4, 1972 to his passing in 1985, his role transcended that of an announcer. His exhortations for contestants to "Come on down!" became the catchphrase, and a Price Is Right tradition observed by his successors, Rod Roddy (1986–2003), Rich Fields (2004–2010), and George Gray (2011–present). The last Johnny Olson announced “Price is Right,”aired on November 8, 1985, some three weeks after his death. All in all, Johnny Olson served as the announcer for more than 30-game shows. During his off time, Johnny spent his time on his farm “Buckingham Acres” near Lewisburg, West Virginia. Johnny Olson died on October 12, 1985 from a cerebral hemorrhage. He is resting in the mausoleum of the Rosewood Cemetery in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Date of birth: 05/22/1910 Date of death: 10/12/1985 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Tomb (above ground) Setting: Indoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily - 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   06/11/2018 just for the fun visited it