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Art Linkletter Turns 95

Posted Jul 26th 2007 4:20PM by TMZ Staff

Former "House Party" host and TV pioneer Art Linkletter had his own house party last night at Mr. Chow, celebrating his 95th birthday! He's also been married to wife Lois for 72 years. Give this guy a medal!


Our TMZ Star Kvetcher camera caught the nonagenarian in a snappy tie and tweed coat, and he was happily chatty, remembering when "Merv Griffin weighed 300 pounds in the '40s and was singing with Freddie Martin in San Francisco." Linkletter, along with Merv, is said to be one of the wealthiest men in entertainment, having invested in everything from oil and natural gas to hotels and even the Hula Hoop!

Linkletter was the host of the opening of Disneyland in Anaheim -- in 1955, and is 16 years older than Mickey Mouse! Art was born the year the Titanic sank ... during the Taft administration! And now he's on TMZ ... with Lindsay Lohan. Linkletter has been an anti-drug activist since losing his 20-year-old daughter Diane in 1969, in what was believed to have been a drug-induced suicide.

Art just published his 28th book, "How To Make The Rest of Your Life The Best of Your Life."

Tags: art linkletter, ArtLinkletter

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1. we love Art!!!!! & wish him the happiest of b-days

Posted at 5:22PM on Jul 26th 2007 by lindsey

2. Happy Birthday, Art Linkletter!

....an heroic pre-baby boomer! We grew up watching his great shows (also an author), one being "Kids Say the Darndest Things" (innocent hearts of children)!

Posted at 5:18PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Mary.

3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ART! It's so nice to see that not only is he still around, but that he is doing well. Go, Art! Hearing your name brings up many fond memories! THANKS!

Posted at 5:21PM on Jul 26th 2007 by glynne64

4. Who has him on their deadpool, show of hands.

Posted at 5:21PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Flbiker

5. He's the best.

Posted at 5:21PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Lyn

6.

Diane Linkletter was not on drugs when she died. At that time, with the stigma of suicide and mental illness so acute, the famous family found drug use more palatable than admitting the true story. For evidence, see http://www.snopes.com/horrors/drugs/linkletter.asp

Posted at 5:24PM on Jul 26th 2007 by pam

7. Who?

Posted at 5:39PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Buddy

8. Hot damn! The guy is still alive!!!!? Wow. I remember a young punk screaming from his audience "I am the greatest". Turned out to be a young Cassius Clay who had never even fought a proffesional fight. Completely non staged and live television. It was great and his talks with children was outstanding.

Posted at 5:40PM on Jul 26th 2007 by dregs

9. You the man Art! Seriously, at 95 Art is 10X classier and more on the ball than Lilo at 21. It is a sad commentary that people in showbiz that we used to admire (or at least watch) 30+ years ago have deteriorated to the likes of Paris, Lilo and Brittney as today's spoiled, pampered and drug/booze addled "celebubrats". We should not expect celebrities to be on a pedestal but it is too much to ask them to slither out of the gutter and be a little less self-absorbed. They should count their blessing and take a lesson from Art!

Posted at 10:25AM on Jul 27th 2007 by Bill

10. #2 - I've got you on mine!

AWESOME DUDE who deserves all of the kudos for living such a positive life and bringing smiles to so many!! Married to one woman for 72 years, when A-holes like #2 can't go 72 minutes without dissing someone else b/c his/her ego is so low.

He's really done so much for so many people, taking his own tragedy to help others. I'm glad TMZ did this mini-tribute to Art!! GREAT GUY!!

Posted at 5:46PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Eddie S.

11. To #2 and #7...you are idiots! Who doesn't know the name Art Linkletter, no matter how old you are?! Oh, I'm sorry. You must be part of the Paris "I'm a rich high school dropout" Hilton fan club. No wonder our future is in such jepordy.

Posted at 6:13PM on Jul 26th 2007 by momofcnmc

12.
Good job TMZ. Two days in a row you've brought to light two greats in American entertainment. Yesterday, Drew Carey, today, Art Linkletter. There are no two greater American role models and entertainers. Not Hollywood wannabes.

Posted at 6:00PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Hollywoodnotalents

13. Happy Birthday Art-You are a TRUE STAR and a classy guy and married 72-that is to be celebrated!!!!!!! Bring us nmore postive news like this Great and talented man!

Posted at 6:03PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Okay

14. Go, Art, it's your birthday! My g-dad and him are the same age and my g-parents just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary! Yay for really old ppl! For those of you betting when he'll die, your parents should have pulled out. You aren't going to live forever and probably won't even come close to 95 b/c you're haters. Suck it.

Posted at 6:08PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Diana

15. CONGRATULATIONS to Art Linkletter on his 95th natal day anniversary. It's a remarkable accomplishment that he is married to Lois for 72 YEARS. One individual with undeserved celebrity status {a bimbo} could NOT even remain married for 72 HOURS via one of her marriages. Art Linkletter...an individual with CLASS!

Loved "House Party" ...especially the segments when youngsters would respond to the questions of Art Linkletter....A terrific life...only unfortunate blemish had been the loss of his daughter. Am hopeful that Art will make it ta 100! {It's only 5 more years}.

Posted at 6:38PM on Jul 26th 2007 by Dennis L. Brown

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