born in darrington, washington, to modest circumstances, barker enlisted in the united states navy during world war ii. he worked part-time in radio while he attended college. in 1950, he moved to california in order to pursue a career in broadcasting. he was given his own radio show, "the bob barker show", which ran for six years. barker began his game show career in 1956, hosting "truth or consequences". from there, he hosted various game shows, and the miss universe and miss usa pageants from 1967 to 1987, giving him the distinction of being the longest-serving host of these pageants. he began hosting "the price is right" in 1972. when his wife dorothy jo died, he became an advocate for animal rights and of animal-rights activism, supporting groups such as the united activists for animal rights and the sea shepherd conservation society. in 2007, he retired from hosting "the price is right" after celebrating his 50-year career on television.