The Kissing Bandit's Legacy: 7 Shocking Facts About Richard Dawson's 'Family Feud' Smooching And Modern Controversy

The image of Richard Dawson kissing every female contestant on Family Feud is one of the most iconic, yet polarizing, visuals in game show history. In the current cultural climate of late December 2025, this practice—which began as a simple gesture of luck—is often viewed through a modern lens that finds the constant, unsolicited physical contact deeply uncomfortable. Yet, to truly understand the phenomenon of "The Kissing Bandit," one must look beyond the surface to the man, the controversy that nearly ended his career, and the surprising love story that emerged from the very practice that defined his time as host of the Mark Goodson-Bill Todman production.

The legacy of Dawson's run on Family Feud (1976–1985 and 1994–1995) is inextricably linked to this ritual. It was a signature move that made him a household name, but it also sparked a hidden controversy involving network mandates, audience votes, and even shocking health precautions that reveal a vastly different television landscape from today. This deep dive uncovers the most compelling and surprising facts about the man who kissed his way into television history.

Richard Dawson: Full Biography and Career Profile

• Birth Name: Colin Lionel Emm
• Born: November 20, 1932, in Gosport, Hampshire, England
• Died: June 2, 2012, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. (Age 79)
• Nationality: British-American
• Early Career: Joined the Merchant Marines at age 14 for three years. Later became a stand-up comedian and actor in Britain, performing at the London Palladium.
• Major TV Roles (Panelist): Match Game (1973–1978). His quick wit and interaction with contestants directly led to his hosting role on Family Feud.
• Major TV Roles (Actor): Corporal Peter Newkirk in the sitcom Hogan's Heroes (1965–1971).
• Major TV Roles (Host): Family Feud (Original run: 1976–1985; Revival run: 1994–1995).
• Film Career: Played the ruthless game show host Damon Killian in the 1987 dystopian action film The Running Man, a role many critics considered a dark parody of his Feud persona.
• Awards: Won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host in 1978.
• Marriages: Diana Dors (1959–1967); Gretchen Johnson (1991–2012, his death).

The Unexpected Origin of the Infamous Kissing Ritual

The practice that earned Richard Dawson the nickname "The Kissing Bandit" was not a pre-planned gimmick. It began spontaneously and innocently.

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In the early days of Family Feud, a female contestant was visibly nervous and distressed. Dawson, known for his empathetic and charming on-screen persona, simply leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek for good luck.

The contestant’s demeanor immediately changed, and she performed well in the game. Dawson believed the kiss had genuinely helped, and from that point forward, he adopted the ritual, initially as a peck on the cheek, which quickly evolved into a kiss on the lips for every female contestant.

He repeatedly stated that the kiss was a transfer of luck and a personal tradition, a way to connect with the contestants on a human level. This personal touch was a stark contrast to the more formal hosting styles of the era, making him instantly memorable and contributing significantly to the show's massive ratings success.

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The Shocking Controversy: Herpes Tests and Network Ultimatum

Despite the show's popularity, the constant physical contact began to draw complaints from some viewers and, critically, from the network. ABC executives eventually delivered an ultimatum to Dawson: stop the kissing or face termination.

This network pressure was compounded by a truly shocking behind-the-scenes reality. Due to the sheer volume of contestants Dawson kissed—reportedly thousands over the years—and the intimacy of kissing on the lips, a new report revealed that Family Feud producers required female contestants to undergo a herpes test before appearing on the show.

This revelation, which surfaced years after the show's original run, highlights the bizarre and controversial nature of the ritual in the context of television production standards. It shows the extreme measures taken to manage the host's signature habit.

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Dawson, however, refused to simply comply with the network's demand. He decided to put the matter to a vote, asking the home audience to send in letters stating whether they wanted him to continue the tradition or stop.

The results were overwhelming. While a specific number of letters against the kissing was reported to be 704, Dawson claimed that thousands of letters poured in supporting his practice, solidifying his position and forcing the network to back down. The "Kissing Bandit" continued his ritual until the show's cancellation in 1985.

A Kiss That Changed Everything: Meeting Gretchen Johnson

Perhaps the most heartwarming, and least controversial, aspect of the kissing ritual is the fact that it led directly to Richard Dawson meeting his future wife.

In May 1981, a family called the Johnsons appeared on Family Feud. One of the contestants was Gretchen Johnson, a 24-year-old woman. Dawson, then 49, gave her the customary kiss on the lips.

The connection was immediate and profound. Dawson, who had been single since his divorce from actress Diana Dors, began dating Gretchen shortly after her appearance on the show.

Their relationship blossomed, and they were married in 1991. They remained together until Dawson’s death in 2012 and had a daughter, Shannon. The story of the host meeting his spouse on the set of his own game show became a legendary piece of television lore, proving that at least one of those thousands of kisses truly was a stroke of good luck.

Richard Dawson's Kissing in the Modern Era: A Post-#MeToo Analysis

Today, the footage of Richard Dawson's Family Feud is often viewed with a mixture of nostalgia and discomfort. The cultural standards for physical contact and consent have drastically changed since the 1970s and 80s, particularly in a professional setting.

Contemporary analysis, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement, often highlights the power imbalance inherent in the situation: a host in a position of authority repeatedly kissing contestants.

While many women who were contestants at the time have spoken out to defend Dawson, saying the kisses were harmless, charming, and consensual, modern audiences frequently point out that the ritual would be entirely unacceptable on television today.

This retrospective judgment solidifies the practice as a fascinating cultural timestamp. It is a relic of a different era of television—one where an eccentric host could turn a simple kiss into a ratings phenomenon, a major controversy, and ultimately, a lifelong romance with Gretchen Johnson Dawson. The legacy of "The Kissing Bandit" remains a complex and enduring part of game show history.

Dawson himself even acknowledged the shift in cultural perception. When he returned to host the show's revival in 1994, he dramatically reduced the kissing, opting instead for handshakes and hugs, a clear sign that the television landscape had begun to evolve beyond the era of the infamous good luck smooch.