Chuck Woolery, the iconic game show host who first brought Wheel of Fortune to American screens, has passed away at the age of 83.

His longtime friend and podcast co-host, Mark Young, confirmed the news to TMZ. According to Young, Woolery had been at home in Texas when he began feeling unwell and decided to lie down. A short time later, he returned struggling to breathe. Emergency responders were called, but tragically, he passed away before they arrived.

Born March 16, 1941, in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery was more than just a familiar face on TV. Before launching his successful television career, he was part of the 1960s pop duo The Avant-Garde, which scored a hit with Naturally Stoned in 1968. He later shifted to country music as a solo artist before becoming one of the most recognizable figures in American game show history.

Woolery went on to host several popular shows beyond Wheel of Fortune, including Love Connection, Scrabble, and Lingo, earning a special place in the hearts of viewers for decades.