Born October 5, 1917, in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Allen Ludden rose from Midwestern roots to national fame as host of Password (1961–1980). Circa World War II, he served as an Army officer in the Pacific Theater, earning a Bronze Star before discharge in 1946. He married Margaret McGloin in 1943; her death from cancer in 1961 left him widowed with three children. Meeting Betty White on Password the same year sparked instant chemistry; they married June 6, 1963, remaining devoted until his death