Bobby Van

Bobby Van (born Robert Jack Stein December 6, 1928 – July 31, 1980) was a Broadway musical, movie & television actor and game show host in the 1950s and 1970s.

Bobby Van spent the bulk of his career in the Broadway world, appearing in plays such as: No, No, Nanette, Lost Horizon and Small Town Girl. Prior to all this, he started out as a trumpeter, but his career skyrocketed when he was asked to fill-in as a song & dance man for another act.

Throughout the 50s & 60s Bobby did work for film & television shows sometimes with Mickey Rooney, especially in Mickey's short-lived self-titled sitcom.

Bobby Van was married twice, the first time was with starlet Diane Garrett and later with another Broadway actress Elaine Joyce which was the more successful of the two. Elaine & Bobby appeared on several game shows together including TattleTales and Match Game. That seemed to open the door for Bobby's career as a game show host himself. His first was Showoffs (replacing the late Larry Blyden), next was The Fun Factory and finally Make Me Laugh.

Bobby Van passed away in 1980 after an unsuccessful battle with cancer.

Shows Appeared/Hosted
Match Game

TattleTales

Showoffs

The Fun Factory

Make Me Laugh