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’M READY, son – it’s my in and out of consciousness, and most successful talk-show hosts. Crosswords,” based on one of his time to go. You’ve given at 11 p.m. on Saturday night he He struck gold as the creator of lifelong passions. me more happiness than spoke his last words. “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” “Merv never ran out of energy anything else in this world. “As Tony brought his face close or novel ideas for new TV shows and II love you.” to his father’s, Merv whispered THE ALWAYS UPBEAT ENTERTAINER ventures,” marveled his friend. “He With those words, showbiz hoarsely: ‘You were my life.’” also proved to be a first-rate business- was full of life and positive vibrations legend Merv Griffin said goodbye He thanked Tony for bringing man. He bought and sold 17 radio until the end.” to his beloved son Tony shortly him great joy and expressed his stations, six casino resorts and 22 by ROBIN MIZRAHI before the TV icon died of prostate undying love. hotels, including the famed Beverly cancer on Sunday, Aug. 12. Merv shut his eyes, never re- Hilton in Beverly Hills. The 82-year-old showman gained consciousness – and An invitation-only funeral Mass slipped away at America lost was scheduled for Aug. 17 at the Good 1 a.m. as Tony one of its most Shepherd in Beverly and Merv’s daugh- remarkable enter- Hills. ter-in-law Tricia tainers. At the time of his death, Merv huddled near his , was putting the final touches on a bed at Cedars- accompanied by new game show, “Merv Griffin’s Sinai Medical two Secret Service Center. agents, made a “Merv was brave final visit to her Merv never ran to the end, even pal Merv’s bed- as all measures side on Friday out of energy or to prolong his life afternoon, said novel ideas...He failed,” a close the friend. friend told The “Losing Merv was full of life and ENQUIRER. has been dev- “He was suffer- astating to her. positive vibrations IN TRIBUTE: Merv died with son ing terribly – the A young Merv at She knew him Tony at his side. Fans started cancer had spread the beginning of for more than until the end leaving flowers at Merv’s star on Merv Griffin’s the Walk of Fame shortly after to his bones, lungs his TV career 50 years. He was and liver.” her rock during Late Saturday morning, Aug. 11, her husband Ronnie’s prolonged Tony made the painful decision illness and death.” The former to put a DNR notice – Do Not first lady said his death “is last words: Resuscitate – on his father. heartbreaking, not just for those of us who loved Merv personally, Legendary “IT WAS THE HARDEST THING but for everyone around the world Tony ever had to do. He loved who has known Merv through his father with all his heart, but his music, his television shows entertainer he knew nothing more could and his business.” be done for him,” said the The multitalented performer was ready friend. first caught the public eye as “Merv, connected to feeding a big band singer and then went for the end tubes and morphine drips, drifted on to become one of America’s ‘I LOVE YOU, SON’

THAT’S MY BOY: DATEMATES: Merv was a longtime Merv and his son Merv was friend of Nancy Tony in 1972 linked to Reagan

ONLY WIFE: Merv married Julann Wright DARK SIDE: dance king Deney in 1958. They Terrio (above) sued Merv for sexual got divorced harassment in 1976. Earlier the same year, ALL IN THE GAME: Merv with of in 1976 Brent Plott claimed he was Merv’s lover “Jeopardy!” and of “Wheel of Fortune.” and sued the entertainer for palimony The entertainer created both hit shows

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