Larry Blyden was a versatile actor, producer, director, and game show host who rose to fame on Broadway and television. He was best known for hosting the syndicated revival version of the panel game show “What’s My Line?” from 1972 to 1975. However, his life was cut short by a tragic car accident while he was vacationing in Morocco. Here is the story of how Larry Blyden died and what he left behind.
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A Promising Career on Stage and Screen
Blyden was born as Ivan Lawrence Blieden on June 23, 1925, in Houston, Texas. He became interested in acting at a young age and made his stage debut at 14. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. He made his Broadway debut in 1948 in the play “Mister Roberts” and went on to appear in numerous productions, both on and off Broadway. He won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 1972 for his performance in the revival of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, which he also produced.
Blyden also had a successful career on television, appearing in various drama and comedy shows, such as “The Twilight Zone”, “The Defenders”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, and “The Carol Burnett Show”. He was also a big game show aficionado and became a familiar face on daytime TV when he was chosen to host the syndicated version of “What’s My Line?” in 1972. He was praised for his witty and charming personality and his rapport with the celebrity panelists and contestants.
A Fatal Accident in Morocco
At the time of his death, Blyden was at a high point in his career. He was about to start hosting a new game show called “Showoffs” after his vacation in Morocco. Unfortunately, that would be the last vacation of his life.
On May 31, 1975, Blyden’s rental car reportedly went off the road and overturned while driving near Agadir, Morocco. According to his agent Lionel Larner, Blyden suffered injuries and underwent surgery. However, he passed away from his injuries on June 6, 1975, 17 days before his 50th birthday. A week later, his body was flown back to the US, and a memorial was held on June 20. He was then buried at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
The exact cause of the accident was never officially determined, but some sources speculated that Blyden might have fallen asleep at the wheel or that the car might have had a mechanical failure. Blyden was traveling alone at the time of the accident, and no other vehicles were involved.
A Legacy of Talent and Humor
Blyden’s death was a shock to his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented and humorous entertainer. He left behind two children, Joshua and Ellen Rachel, from his marriage to dancer and choreographer Carol Haney, whom he divorced in 1962 and who died in 1964. He also left behind a legacy of memorable performances on stage and screen, as well as a lasting impression on the game show genre.
Blyden was one of Broadway’s bright lights for over two decades and one of television’s most beloved hosts. He was a versatile and modest performer who could make people laugh and think. He was a true star who died too soon.
