Legendary game show host Peter Marshall, known for hosting “The Hollywood Squares” for 16 years, died of kidney failure at his home in Encino, California, on Thursday at age 98, publicist Harlan Boll said.

Marshall hosted more than 5,000 episodes of “The Hollywood Squares” from 1966 to 1981. He played a key role in shaping the role of the modern game show host. ABC News.

Born Ralphie Pierre Lacoque in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Marshall worked in many areas of the entertainment industry as a singer, actor and comedian.

According to ABC News, before his role on “The Hollywood Squares,” Marshall toured with big bands and performed in movies and on Broadway. As a show host, he worked with legendary actors such as Paul Lynde, George Gobel and Joan Rivers. “Working with comedians was easy for me,” he said. (RELATED: Legendary comedian Gallagher dies at 76)

In a 2018 interview Smashing Interview MagazineThe hosts reflected on their experience on “The Hollywood Squares” and explained why the show was such a success. “It was so innovative. No one had ever seen nine stars all together,” Marshall said. “It was fun and games. There was a lot of humor. It was just so different and fun. To be honest, I thought it was just a 13-week job, but I ended up on the air for 16 years in the daytime and eight in the evenings. It was an amazing experience.”

The presenter also spoke about working with comedian Paul Lynde, whose show frequently included sexual innuendo. Marshall said that the censors “cut a lot of stuff” but “a lot of stuff they didn't get, so we left it in.”

Marshall is survived by his wife, Laurie Stewart, whom he married in 1989, his four children, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.