Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
July 6, 1925
Died
August 12, 2007 (age 82)
Place of Birth
San Mateo, California, USA
Also Known As
Mervyn Edward Griffin Jr.
Merv Griffin
Biography
Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. (July 6, 1925 – August 12, 2007) was an American television host, singer, and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer who went on to appear in movies and on Broadway. During the 1960s, Griffin hosted his own talk show, The Merv Griffin Show, and created the game shows Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Click, and Merv Griffin's Crosswords. He is considered an entertainment business magnate.
Known For
TV
The Daily Show
Self
1996
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
TV
Late Show with David Letterman
Self (voice) (uncredited)
1993
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self (uncredited)
1975
TV
CBS News Sunday Morning
Self
1979
TV
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
TV
The Merv Griffin Show
Self - Host
1962
TV
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self
2003
TV
Hercules
Merv Griffin (voice)
1998
TV
The Golden Girls
Merv Griffin
1985
TV
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Self - Guest Host
1957
TV
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Self
1957
TV
The Carol Burnett Show
Self - Guest
1967
TV
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Self
1976
TV
The Tony Danza Show
Self
2004
TV
Newhart
1982
TV
Dinah!
Self
1974
TV
The Megan Mullally Show
Self - Guest
2006
TV
Sanford and Son
1972
TV
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
1971
Filmography
2024FilmDEVOas Self (archive footage)2023TVPretty Baby: Brooke Shieldsas Self (archive footage)2022FilmWhitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebodyas Self (archive footage)2021FilmThe Real Charlie Chaplinas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)2021FilmTruman & Tennessee: An Intimate Conversationas Self - TV Host (archive footage)2020FilmMy Darling Vivianas Self (archive footage)2019FilmI Am Richard Pryoras Self - TV Host (archive footage)2018FilmWhitneyas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)2018FilmGame Changersas Self (archive footage)2017FilmJohn Travolta, le miraculé d'Hollywoodas Self - TV Host (archive footage)2014FilmMystical Traveler: The Life and Times of Dr. John-Rogeras Self (archive footage)2013FilmRichard Pryor: Omit the Logicas Self (archive footage)2008FilmTrying to Get Good: The Jazz Odyssey of Jack Sheldonas Himself2006TVThe Megan Mullally Showas Self - Guest2005TVThe Apprentice: Martha Stewart2005TVFat Actressas Merv Griffin2005FilmAn-THOR-Logy 1976-1985as Himself2004TVThe Tony Danza Showas Self2004TVAlf's Hit Talk Show2004TVTV Land Moguls2003TVThe Ellen DeGeneres Showas Self2000FilmMurder at the Cannes Film Festivalas Self1998TVHerculesas Merv Griffin (voice)1996TVE! True Hollywood Story1996TVThe Daily Showas Self1995TVHope and Gloriaas Merv Griffin1993TVLate Show with David Lettermanas Self (voice) (uncredited)1992TVThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno1986FilmAll Star Party for Clint Eastwoodas Self1986FilmRickles... On the Looseas Self1985TVAlice in Wonderlandas Conductor1985TVThe Golden Girlsas Merv Griffin1984FilmThe Lonely Guyas Himself1983FilmThe Man with Two Brainsas The Elevator Killer1983FilmThe Funny Farmas The Voice Of... (Voice)1982FilmSlapstick of Another Kindas Anchorma1982TVNewhart1980FilmOne Trick Ponyas Acappella Singer1979FilmThe Seduction of Joe Tynanas Himself1979TVPresenting Susan Anton1979TVCBS News Sunday Morningas Self1976FilmTwo-Minute Warningas Merv Griffin - National Anthem Singer1976TVMary Hartman, Mary Hartmanas Self1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self (uncredited)1974TVDinah!as Self1972TVSanford and Son1971TVThe Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour1971TVThe Pet Setas Self1969FilmHello Down Thereas Himself1968FilmWill the Real Norman Mailer Please Stand Up?as Self1967TVThe Carol Burnett Showas Self - Guest1966FilmInside Daisy Cloveras Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)1962TVThe Merv Griffin Showas Self - Host1962TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self1957TVTonight Starring Jack Paaras Self - Guest Host1954FilmPhantom of the Rue Morgueas Georges Brevert1954FilmThe Boy from Oklahomaas Steve1953FilmThree Sailors and a Girlas Sailor (uncredited)1953FilmSo This Is Loveas Buddy Nash1953FilmTrouble Along the Wayas Football Broadcaster (voice)1952FilmCattle Townas Governor's secretary1949TVThe Emmy Awardsas Self