Paul Lynde - Alcoholism, Arrests and Final Years

Alcoholism, Arrests and Final Years

Although he was voted America’s favorite comedian in a 1974 poll and highly sought out for every manner of TV game and variety show, it was the failure of his two series that reportedly exacerbated Lynde’s drinking problem, leading to numerous run-ins with the law and frequent arrests for public intoxication. According to Peter Marshall (Florence Henderson Show, 2008) and Kaye Ballard (E True Hollywood Story, 2000) the comedic actor would sometimes verbally ridicule his friends when inebriated.

Despite this, Lynde's amazing popularity led to his being signed by ABC to host a series of specials from 1975 to 1979, including: The Paul Lynde Comedy Hour (November 6, 1975) with Jack Albertson, Nancy Walker and the Osmond Brothers; The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (October 29, 1976) featuring the first prime-time network appearance of KISS, along with Margaret Hamilton recreating her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. Hamilton and Billie Hayes (as H.R. Pufnstuf's Witchiepoo) teamed up in a skit to kidnap Paul in one of the campiest holiday celebrations of all time. Other guests included Betty White, Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond, Tim Conway and Roz Kelly as Happy Days' Pinkie Tuscadero; The Paul Lynde Comedy Hour (April 23, 1977) with Cloris Leachman and Tony Randall; 'T'was the Night Before Christmas with Alice Ghostley, Martha Raye, George Gobel and Foster Brooks; The Paul Lynde Comedy Hour (May 20, 1978) with Juliet Prowse, Brenda Vaccaro and Harry Morgan of M*A*S*H.

Lynde also suffered from weight control problems, and was honored in 1977 by Weight Watchers. That same year, Lynde's beloved dog, Harry MacAfee, died. Lynde could not stay in the house without him, and bought a new home later in the year. Once again, he spent a great deal of money to renovate the house.

In 1978, Lynde also guest starred as a weatherman for WSPD-TV in Toledo, Ohio.

In January 1978, Lynde was in Salt Lake City for an appearance on the Donny and Marie Show. At about 1:30 in the morning on January 4, he was arrested outside of a gay bar for interfering with a police officer. The officer, who was investigating a car burglary, claimed Lynde kept insisting that the officer "...attend to Lynde's complaint that his briefcase with $1,000 in cash and valuables inside had been stolen." The complaint was later dropped, but as a result of the arrest, he lost his guest starring role on The Donny and Marie Show.

After the airing of his final programs for ABC, Paul Lynde at the Movies (March 1979) with guests Betty White, Vicki Lawrence, Robert Urich and Gary Coleman and Paul Lynde Goes M-A-A-A-AD (May 20, 1979) with Marie Osmond, Charo and Vicki Lawrence, Lynde's disenchantment with being "boxed into" the The Hollywood Squares led him to leave the series despite not having any other offers of work.

After this, acting jobs became harder for him to find, although it is unclear if this was because of anti-gay prejudice or his substance abuse problems and noted erratic behavior, which often made him difficult to work with. He had been arrested for drunk driving and, while under the influence of alcohol, he was known to make rude and racist public comments towards people.

Lynde finally became sober and drug free in early 1980. At this time, The Hollywood Squares was experiencing a downward trend in ratings. Lynde did not want to return, but according to Peter Marshall, they made Lynde an offer he could not refuse - including co-star billing with Marshall - and he returned to the series in the spring of that year. He remained with the show until it was cancelled in February 1981.