Richard Dawson of “Family Feud” and “Hogan’s Heroes” Fame Dead at 79

ABC News has confirmed that Richard Dawson, an English actor best known as host of  TV's Family Feud, and for the role of  Corporal Newkirk on TV's  Hogan's Heroes, has passed away at the age of 79.  According to a Facebook posting from his son Gary, his death was due to complications from esophageal cancer.

As host of  Family Feud, he earned the nickname "The Kissing Bandit" for his habit of kissing all female contestants.  He wound up marrying one of those contestants,  Gretchen Johnson, when she competed on the show in 1981.