Legendary American entertainer Art Linkletter has passed away at age 97. Linkletter, who hosted the popular TV shows "People Are Funny" and "House Party" in the 1950s and 1960s, died Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at his home in Bel-Air.

Art Linkletter Dies - Tributes.

Time Magazine writer James Poniewozik notes the entertainer had many roles in helping shape pop culture including stints as a "radio host, TV host, celebrity endorser, comic and anti-drug crusader."

But, the writer believes "his best-known work came in TV and radio shows based on a simple idea: that ordinary people are tremendously entertaining."


Indeed. More of the tribute here at Time including video.

Linkletter, a devoted family man who had five children, is survived by his wife of more than 50 years. More video here from the Wall Street Journal.

(Image: WENN)