Another interesting gameshow host tidbit.
Back in 1988, Richard Dawson was replaced by comedian/actor Ray Combs to host Family Feud. Combs was born and raised in Hamilton, OH, just north of Cincy. Married, had several children.
Anyway... he wasn't well known nationally, but hosting FF was his big break. He was earning a million a year, but mismanaged his money with poor investments over those few years. He bought two nightclubs out on the west coast and both turned out to be huge busts... and to make matters worse - ratings for FF was in serious decline. The producers decided the gameshow needed a different host, and Combs' last official episode as host was aired back in May of '94. And it was a rather peculiar ending at the end of the show.
From Wiki:
"While that episode seemed like any other, during his final "Fast Money" bonus round, the five answers given by the second contestant each netted zero points. Combs joked, "You know, I've done this show for six years and this [is] the first time I had a person that actually got no points and I think it's a damn fine way to go out. Thought I was a loser until you walked up here, you made me feel like a man!" After signing off, with ending credits rolling, Combs immediately walked off the set, went to his dressing room to get changed, left the CBS Television City facility without saying good-bye to anyone, got into his car and drove home."
An automobile injury later that summer would injure his spine, leaving him in constant pain. That was around the same time that his comedy clubs went belly-up, leading to more financial trouble. His home in his hometown of Hamilton, OH was subsequently foreclosed... his wife left him and took the kids.
June 1, 1996 - local police were called to his Glendale, CA home after receiving a call about a domestic disturbance. Police reported that Combs had basically destroyed much of the interior of his house and was suicidal.
He was sent to the hospital for 72 hours of mental observation, and the following morning he made a noose out of the bedsheets and hung himself. He was only 40 years old.
