In sad celebrity news, Chuck Barris of the Gong Show and The Dating Game, has passed.
What I find amazing about him is that he claimed he was a CIA assassin! That’s also the premise of the movie Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, starring and directed by George Clooney. Sam Rockwell plays Chuck and Drew Barrymore plays his second wife/girlfriend. The movie is funny, crazy, and compelling – just like Chuck himself.
I remember loving reruns of the Gong Show as a kid, and I had no idea about the CIA stuff at the time. Chuck wrote his memoir (later adapted to the 2002 film) in the 80s after his game show empire crumbled. So he lived for DECADES after claiming he was an assassin.
By the way – the CIA called Chuck’s claims ridiculous and COMPLETELY untrue. Chuck’s response to that? “Have you ever heard of the CIA calling out any of their assassins?”. Excellent point Chuck! Loved that guy, and he will be missed.
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