James John “Jim” Lange (August 15, 1932 – February 25, 2014) was an American game show host and disc jockey. He was known to listeners in the San Francisco and Los Angeles radio markets with stints at several stations in both markets, racking up over 45 years on the air. Lange was also known to television viewers as the host of several game shows, including The Dating Game.
Lange’s network television career began in San Francisco with The Ford Show in 1962, where he was the announcer for and sidekick to host Tennessee Ernie Ford. Three years later he would sign on to host The Dating Game. While still on-air at KSFO, he commuted to Los Angeles to tape the TV program.
His other game shows included $100,000 Name That Tune, The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime, Hollywood Connection, Bullseye and the ABC version of The New Newlywed Game, as well as short-lived shows including, Spin-Off, Triple Threat and Give-n-Take.
Lange also appeared as himself on Bewitched, Laverne & Shirley, The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose and Moesha. He appeared as a celebrity player on Scrabble during their 1988 “Game Show Host Week”, and on Hollywood Squares for their “Game Show Week” in December 2002.
In later years, he lived in Marin County, California, with his wife, Michigan native Nancy Fleming, former Miss America 1961, whom he married in 1978.
Jim Lange cause of death
Jim Lange died of a heart attack at their home in Mill Valley, California on February 25, 2014. Jim Lange was 81 years old at the time of his death.
The Dating Game (1973) With Jim Lange.