Press Your Luck Host Dies in Plane Crash - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

James"Thunder"Early · 03-13-2006, 08:58 PM

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-pr...news-headlines

LOS ANGELES -- Peter Tomarken, the host of the 1980s game show "Press Your Luck," died Monday morning when a small plane carrying him and two other passengers crashed in the Pacific Ocean.

According to news reports, Tomarken, 63, and two other people were aboard a Beechcraft 36 when it hit the ocean near the Santa Monica Pier a little after 9:30 a.m. Monday. The pilot reported engine failure not long after the aircraft's takeoff from Santa Monica Airport, a couple of miles inland from the crash site.

Rescuers recovered two bodies -- those of Tomarken and his wife, Kathleen, 41. Authorities are seeking a third person who was reportedly aboard.

Tomarken hosted "Press Your Luck," which was a daytime hit on CBS from 1983-86. The show is notable for its animated "Whammy" characters that took contestants' money when they landed on them, and for a 1984 scandal in which a player named Paul Michael Larson discovered a pattern in the show's game board and used it to win more than $100,000.

Larson wasn't doing anything illegal, but the show's producers later reprogrammed the game board to move randomly and keep other players from beating the game.

Tomarken was also an actor, with appearances on "Ally McBeal," "The Rockford Files" and "Heaven Can Wait" to his credit.

Ireneparalegal · 03-13-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James"Thunder"Early

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-pr...news-headlines

LOS ANGELES -- Peter Tomarken, the host of the 1980s game show "Press Your Luck," died Monday morning when a small plane carrying him and two other passengers crashed in the Pacific Ocean.

According to news reports, Tomarken, 63, and two other people were aboard a Beechcraft 36 when it hit the ocean near the Santa Monica Pier a little after 9:30 a.m. Monday. The pilot reported engine failure not long after the aircraft's takeoff from Santa Monica Airport, a couple of miles inland from the crash site.

Rescuers recovered two bodies -- those of Tomarken and his wife, Kathleen, 41. Authorities are seeking a third person who was reportedly aboard.

Tomarken hosted "Press Your Luck," which was a daytime hit on CBS from 1983-86. The show is notable for its animated "Whammy" characters that took contestants' money when they landed on them, and for a 1984 scandal in which a player named Paul Michael Larson discovered a pattern in the show's game board and used it to win more than $100,000.

Larson wasn't doing anything illegal, but the show's producers later reprogrammed the game board to move randomly and keep other players from beating the game.

Tomarken was also an actor, with appearances on "Ally McBeal," "The Rockford Files" and "Heaven Can Wait" to his credit.

Brian Damage · 03-13-2006, 09:00 PM

I am in shock

Janice · 03-13-2006, 09:06 PM

What a shame. I don't recall the show, and I can't place him.

Kazza · 03-13-2006, 09:08 PM

oH NO!!!!! I loved Peter and PYL..

Kazza · 03-13-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

What a shame. I don't recall the show, and I can't place him.

here he is Janice

Janice · 03-13-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazza

here he is Janice

Thank you. Now I recognize him. Tragic.

dawsongirl · 03-13-2006, 09:27 PM

OH NO!!!!!!!! This is terrible!

He was a great host. This is a huge loss to game show fans.

Peter.

He can get together with Rod Roddy and play PYL with others in heaven.

80sTrivia · 03-13-2006, 10:05 PM

Very sad news, indeed. Press Your Luck was one of the best game shows of all time...

Kristen · 03-13-2006, 10:18 PM

I just read about this earlier.

I used to watch PYL as a kid. (I loved the Whammies, hehe!)

snl 70s show fan · 03-13-2006, 11:02 PM

this is very sad news i was always a big fan of peter and press your luck

ABlairican Pie · 03-13-2006, 11:15 PM

OH NO!!! I loved that show, with all those goofy Whammies!!! That's very sad.

Janice · 03-13-2006, 11:20 PM

Mr. Television · 03-13-2006, 11:24 PM

That's very sad. R.I.P. Peter.

sara · 03-13-2006, 11:28 PM

That's so sad. I loved watching Press Your Luck.

03-13-2006, 08:58 PM	#1
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,087	Press Your Luck Host Dies in Plane Crash http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-pr...news-headlines LOS ANGELES -- Peter Tomarken, the host of the 1980s game show "Press Your Luck," died Monday morning when a small plane carrying him and two other passengers crashed in the Pacific Ocean. According to news reports, Tomarken, 63, and two other people were aboard a Beechcraft 36 when it hit the ocean near the Santa Monica Pier a little after 9:30 a.m. Monday. The pilot reported engine failure not long after the aircraft's takeoff from Santa Monica Airport, a couple of miles inland from the crash site. Rescuers recovered two bodies -- those of Tomarken and his wife, Kathleen, 41. Authorities are seeking a third person who was reportedly aboard. Tomarken hosted "Press Your Luck," which was a daytime hit on CBS from 1983-86. The show is notable for its animated "Whammy" characters that took contestants' money when they landed on them, and for a 1984 scandal in which a player named Paul Michael Larson discovered a pattern in the show's game board and used it to win more than $100,000. Larson wasn't doing anything illegal, but the show's producers later reprogrammed the game board to move randomly and keep other players from beating the game. Tomarken was also an actor, with appearances on "Ally McBeal," "The Rockford Files" and "Heaven Can Wait" to his credit.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

03-13-2006, 09:00 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I am in shock
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-13-2006, 10:05 PM	#9
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	Very sad news, indeed. Press Your Luck was one of the best game shows of all time...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

03-13-2006, 11:15 PM	#12
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	OH NO!!! I loved that show, with all those goofy Whammies!!! That's very sad.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

03-13-2006, 11:20 PM	#13
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	A more recent photo...

03-13-2006, 09:06 PM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	What a shame. I don't recall the show, and I can't place him.

03-13-2006, 09:08 PM	#5
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	oH NO!!!!! I loved Peter and PYL..

03-13-2006, 09:27 PM	#8
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	OH NO!!!!!!!! This is terrible! He was a great host. This is a huge loss to game show fans. Peter. He can get together with Rod Roddy and play PYL with others in heaven.

03-13-2006, 10:18 PM	#10
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	I just read about this earlier. I used to watch PYL as a kid. (I loved the Whammies, hehe!)

03-13-2006, 11:02 PM	#11
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	this is very sad news i was always a big fan of peter and press your luck

03-13-2006, 11:24 PM	#14
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	That's very sad. R.I.P. Peter.
	__________________ Sonny

03-13-2006, 11:28 PM	#15
sara Member Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2002 Location: grandville michigan Posts: 2,296	That's so sad. I loved watching Press Your Luck.
	__________________ Help stamp out and eradicate superfluous redundancy!