A long-time television producer who made Bowling Green his second home has passed away. Chuck Barris died Tuesday at his home outside New York City. The creator of “The Gong Show” and “The Newlywed Game” was 87. Barris visited southern Kentucky often after marrying Bowling Green native Mary Clagett in 2000. He was also a supporter of the Bowling Green-based “Orchestra Kentucky.” Music director Jeffrey Reed said Barris was always generous with his time and talent.
“We invited him to emcee one of our retro shows, and he ended up doing several, and performed the Jim Croce song, “Bad Bad Leroy Brown”, which will always be a fond memory of mine.” Reed said.
Barris is being remembered by friends in Bowling Green as warm-hearted and down to earth.
“He did enjoy coming here. He told me that the people in Bowling Green were friendly, and treated him very warmly. And so he always enjoyed getting away from the city and coming to our smaller community where he could enjoy the hospitality.” Reed said.
Reed said he and his wife were invited to Barris’s 80th birthday party at a New York restaurant and were invited to sit with Barris at the head table. Barris also wrote the Top Ten pop song, “Palisades Park” in 1962, which was recorded by Freddy Cannon.
