Family Feud is one of the most popular game shows of all time. It features two teams of five family members from anywhere in the country facing off together. The answers are all based on survey results from the American public. American families attempting to outguess each other on popular survey responses…it’s the all American game show, and a major hit.

The reason: Richard Dawson. Well actually more like Richard Dawson combined with the novel idea of the game show. But he is definitely a great host. Up there with Bob Barker as one of the most popular game show hosts of all time. And with good reason. He is a clever, witty and charismatic man known for his kissing of the ladies on the program.

Dawson with bodybuilders Lee Haney, Lou Ferrigno, Frank Zane and Franco Columbo.

He was host of the great Family Feud program from 1976-1987, this being what he was most famous for. Although he came back briefly to host the show from 94-95, he has basically been out of show business since then. Likewise, the show has been on the demise.

But Richard Dawson’s career spans out beyond Family Feud. Before hosting the show, he was Newkirk on Hogan’s Heroes and s a contestant on the Match Show for, according to reruns, basically every episode.

But Richard Dawson officially didn’t enter the realm of being a man of legend until 1987 when he was the villain in the futuristic Schwarzenegger flick, the Running Man. This movie features Arnold’s dialogue at its best and some of the best villains of any movie, with Dawson leading the pack as Killian. Fittingly portraying a deranged game show host, Dawson’s character ran "The Running Man," the crooked game show that ruled the airwaves of the futuristic totalitarian world. He recruits Schwarzenegger after seeing him attempt a prison break and books him as a contestant. A great movie, a great role.

Richard Dawson has been a bit of a recluse since he left show business in 1995. He doesn’t do any interviews or TV spots, yet alone do any of those campy best of game show specials. Yet ironically Richard Dawson’s popularity is higher now then when he left showbusiness. The Game Show network has introduced a new breed of viewers to his Family Feud escapades as well as his Match Game antics. Plus, since he left Family Feud after he filled in for the late Ray Combs, Feud fans have been restless Louie Anderson has done a horrible job. And Anderson’s replacement? Richard Karn, Al from Home Improvement. At times like this the demand for someone like Richard Dawson is at an all time high. But we have to remember: