Ken Ober
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Ken Ober | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ken Oberding |
| Occupation(s) | Game show host, comedian, and actor |
Ken Ober (July 3, 1957 – November 15, 2009)[1] was an American game show host, comedian, and actor.
Early life and career
Born Ken Oberding in Brookline, Massachusetts, he was raised in Hartford, Connecticut.[2] Ober hosted four game shows over the course of his career. He received his break after appearing as a contestant on "Star Search." "“Remote Control” Host Ken Ober Dies" 'EInsiders' He was most widely known for his role on the MTV game show Remote Control, [3] which he hosted for five seasons spanning 1987 to 1991. Ober was known among '90s and '00s audiences for his hosting jobs on Make Me Laugh,[4] Smush, and an ESPN game show called Perfect Match (according to Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows Volume 2).
In 1995, Ober hosted a Los Angeles talk radio show with former Brady Bunch star Susan Olsen. The show, known as Ober and Olsen, aired on 97.1 KLSX. (Olsen had previously appeared on an episode of Remote Control that featured Brady Bunch cast members competing.)
In 2002, Ober served as supervising producer for Colin Quinn's Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, [5] which was a reunion of sorts; Quinn was the announcer on Remote Control. He was also a guest on one episode.
Ober starred in the Blues Traveler video for the song "Hook". He also had a smaller role in the same band's video for "Run-Around".
He served as a producer for the CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine, and is also known for a series of Jenga commercials.
Death
Ober died on November 15, 2009, at the age of 52. Some news reports stated the cause of Ober's death as an apparent heart attack.[6] Lee Kernis, Ober's representative at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, said according to friends Ober had been feeling ill and was complaining of headaches, chronic chest pain, and flu-like symptoms Saturday afternoon; and did not meet them later as planned. An autopsy is planned.[7] Ober was a single father of his only adopted son, Jason Ober. He is survived by his mother Claire Freeman of West Hartford, Connecticut; his father Burton and stepmother Iris of Palm Beach, Florida; and brother Andrew of Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Ober's body was discovered after a 911 call by his son Jason, who was visiting with Ober at the time.
See also
References
- ^ RIP Ken Ober, dead at 52
- ^ Ken Ober, "Remote Control" Host, Is Dead
- ^ The Basement: A Salute to "Remote Control"
- ^ Game Shows: Ken Ober
- ^ Comedy net revisits 'Tough' times - Entertainment News, Los Angeles, Media - Variety
- ^ R.I.P. Ken Ober, 1957–2009 New York Magazine November 16, 2009.
- ^ Ken Ober dies at 52; host of MTV's "Remote Control" game show