Retirement and Death
Moore became ill in 1976 and was diagnosed with throat cancer. He left To Tell the Truth shortly before Christmas 1976 to undergo surgery, turning the show over to panelist Bill Cullen. Semi-regular panelist Joe Garagiola also acted as the host for several weeks, claiming he was "pinch-hitting" for Moore. Moore returned in September 1977 to begin To Tell the Truth's ninth season, to explain his sudden absence and to announce his permanent retirement, explaining that while recovering from his surgery, he believed that his throat cancer was a sign that continuing beyond his 42-year career would be "just plain greed". Joe Garagiola hosted the program for the rest of the season, which proved to be the final season.
Moore retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he spent his time sailing, and also at his summer home in Northeast Harbor, Maine. He made two rare television appearances during his retirement, in a 1984 special on game-show bloopers hosted by William Shatner and in a late 1980s television tribute to Carol Burnett. Moore recounted the time circumstances forced him and Burnett to share a dressing room for one show. After many years, Moore said he had a confession to make: "I peeked." Burnett replied, "So did I."
Garry Moore died of emphysema at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on November 28, 1993, at the age of 78. He was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Northeast Harbor, Maine. He was named one of the 15 greatest game-show hosts of all time by Time Magazine.
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