Gary Collins

Former master of ceremonies at the long running Miss America pageant Gary Collins has passed away aged 74. According to the Los Angeles Times, Collins passed away from natural causes soon after arriving at the Biloxi Regional Medical Center in Harrison County.

Though perhaps known best in the USA for his run as compere at the Miss America Pageant between 1982 and 1990, Collins was also an accomplished actor and TV host. He hosted the television talk show 'Hour Magazine' between 1980 and 1988 and later went on to co-host ABC television series 'The Home Show' between 1989 and 1994. His performances when hosting 'Hour Magazine' in particular won him great acclaim, Collins receiving six Emmy Award nominations in 1983 for his hosting, and eventually receiving a star on the Hollywood walk of fame.

Married to a former Miss America - 1959 victor Mary Ann Mobley - Collins clean cut image unfortunately suffered a series of blemishes towards the end of his life. In 2009 he pleaded guilty in Santa Barbara to driving under the influence, whilst in 2010 he was fined with leaving the scene of a traffic accident. Nevertheless, these were merely slight marks on a life well-lived, Collins making many friends during a media career that lasted close to half a century.

Television actor and presenter Gary Collins has passed away, leaving us in the early hours of this morning at a local medical centre in Biloxi, Missouri.

Collins was admitted to the Biloxi Regional Medical Centre less than 24 hours before he was pronounced dead just a few minutes before 1 a.m. this morning (October 14th), according to Gary Hargrove, deputy coroner at the Harrison County Coroner's Office.

Fans of Collins will know him best for his numerous starring roles on TV throughout the 1970s, including the series The Sixth Sense and went on to appear in other series including JAG, The Love Boat, Charlie's Angels and most recently on Dirty Sexy Money. As a host, he is perhaps best known for his appearances on The New Hollywood Squares game show and on the long-running Hour Magazine chat show. During the 1980's, Gary was also the host of the Miss America Pageant and even went on to co-host the show with his former wife in 1989.

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