Who Is Art Fleming? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

mickeymouseclubfan · 11-22-2015, 05:42 PM

Before Alex Trebek, who's hosted "Jeopardy!" since 1984, there was Art Fleming, an aspiring actor who spent 11 years hosting "Jeopardy!" on NBC from March 30, 1964 - January 3, 1975, lasting 11 years and 2,753 Shows.

The son of Austrian Jewish immigrants Bill and Mary Fazzin, Arthur Fleming Fazzin was born on May 1, 1924 in New York City, New York, soon after parents Bill and Mary came to America for an American version of their European Dance show, which though successful in Europe, was a flop in America.

At age 17, after graduating high school in 1941, Art enlisted in the U.S. Navy, after which he began pursuing an Acting Career, dropping Fazzin professionally and becoming known forever more as Art Fleming.

In his private life, Art was married twice--to 2nd wife, Becky, to whom he was married for 23 years until he died on April 25, 1995, at age 70.

Fleming's passing occurred just 6 days before his 71st Birthday, and TWO weeks after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, which ended his life.

Besides his 2nd wife, Becky, Art was survived by a grown daughter, Jan Marie Hanna, from his first marriage to Peggy Ann Ellis (which ended in divorce in 1972 after 5 years), as well as four young grandchildren.

Edison · 11-22-2015, 07:57 PM

I still think about him, from time to time, while watching the show. One of the best.

howilu · 11-23-2015, 11:25 AM

He also hosted the short-lived 1978 Jeopardy revival. I'll always remember him saying before each Final Jeopardy "Please be sure it's in the form of a question." Art Fleming was a great host and he never missed a single episode of Jeopardy.

Babalu · 11-24-2015, 10:06 PM

When I was in elementary school we went to a taping of Jeopardy. I remember Art Fleming being a nice guy. In fact, everyone on the show was nice. The audience members got to ask questions. In those days, the Jeopardy board was not electronic and the $ amounts/answers were on cards that were pulled from behind. Someone asked how the cards were pulled and the response was there's a guy behind the board pulling the cards. No one believed it until Final Jeopardy where the board was set up on a different part of the stage and there was indeed a stagehand that pulled out the top card from the back to reveal the answer.

opus · 11-24-2015, 10:17 PM

His appearance in Weird Al's 'Jeopardy':

https://youtu.be/BvUZijEuNDQ

KurtfromPitts · 12-09-2015, 11:58 AM

Next to Hugh Downs/Bob Clayton on the original "Concentration", Art Fleming and Don Pardo is my favorite host/announcer combo on game shows.

mets82 · 12-09-2015, 10:23 PM

Sad some people don't know who he is.

EricIdlefan · 12-15-2015, 04:20 AM

Yeah as heard he was such a very classy person off the screen as well. RIP Art!

11-22-2015, 05:42 PM	#1
mickeymouseclubfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 05, 2013 Posts: 145	Who Is Art Fleming? Before Alex Trebek, who's hosted "Jeopardy!" since 1984, there was Art Fleming, an aspiring actor who spent 11 years hosting "Jeopardy!" on NBC from March 30, 1964 - January 3, 1975, lasting 11 years and 2,753 Shows. The son of Austrian Jewish immigrants Bill and Mary Fazzin, Arthur Fleming Fazzin was born on May 1, 1924 in New York City, New York, soon after parents Bill and Mary came to America for an American version of their European Dance show, which though successful in Europe, was a flop in America. At age 17, after graduating high school in 1941, Art enlisted in the U.S. Navy, after which he began pursuing an Acting Career, dropping Fazzin professionally and becoming known forever more as Art Fleming. In his private life, Art was married twice--to 2nd wife, Becky, to whom he was married for 23 years until he died on April 25, 1995, at age 70. Fleming's passing occurred just 6 days before his 71st Birthday, and TWO weeks after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, which ended his life. Besides his 2nd wife, Becky, Art was survived by a grown daughter, Jan Marie Hanna, from his first marriage to Peggy Ann Ellis (which ended in divorce in 1972 after 5 years), as well as four young grandchildren.

11-24-2015, 10:06 PM	#4
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	When I was in elementary school we went to a taping of Jeopardy. I remember Art Fleming being a nice guy. In fact, everyone on the show was nice. The audience members got to ask questions. In those days, the Jeopardy board was not electronic and the $ amounts/answers were on cards that were pulled from behind. Someone asked how the cards were pulled and the response was there's a guy behind the board pulling the cards. No one believed it until Final Jeopardy where the board was set up on a different part of the stage and there was indeed a stagehand that pulled out the top card from the back to reveal the answer.
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12-09-2015, 10:23 PM	#7
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	Sad some people don't know who he is.
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12-15-2015, 04:20 AM	#8
EricIdlefan June Bug & School's Out Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	Yeah as heard he was such a very classy person off the screen as well. RIP Art!
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11-22-2015, 07:57 PM	#2
Edison Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 01, 2006 Posts: 2,430	I still think about him, from time to time, while watching the show. One of the best.

11-23-2015, 11:25 AM	#3
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,961	He also hosted the short-lived 1978 Jeopardy revival. I'll always remember him saying before each Final Jeopardy "Please be sure it's in the form of a question." Art Fleming was a great host and he never missed a single episode of Jeopardy.

11-24-2015, 10:17 PM	#5
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,368	His appearance in Weird Al's 'Jeopardy': https://youtu.be/BvUZijEuNDQ

12-09-2015, 11:58 AM	#6
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,533	Next to Hugh Downs/Bob Clayton on the original "Concentration", Art Fleming and Don Pardo is my favorite host/announcer combo on game shows.