Frank Wayne

Who was Frank Wayne?

Frank Wayne was an American game show producer and host born in Boston, Massachusetts, who was also associated with Mark Goodson Productions.

Wayne was the original executive producer of the 1972 revival of The Price Is Right until his death in 1988. He created the show's most popular game, Plinko, and many others. Both of his sons, Philip Wayne Rossi and Mark Wayne, also worked on Price.

Wayne is also credited with creating The Match Game in 1962 and Now You See It in 1974 for Mark Goodson–Bill Todman Productions. He filled in for Bud Collyer on Beat the Clock in Summer 1953 while a writer/stunt creator on the show, then later became the show's producer.

As an independent producer, Wayne created and produced Laugh Line, a game show hosted by Dick Van Dyke.

On March 18, 1988, Wayne died in Los Angeles, California. After Wayne's passing, former longtime host, Bob Barker was promoted in becoming the executive producer of The Price is Right. According to producer Roger Dobkowitz, he said prior to Wayne's death, "When Frank Wayne passed on, Bob became the official Executive Producer of the show.