Merv Griffin, the former TV talk show host, creator of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” and entrepreneur has died. He was 82.

"Merv Griffin was the greatest producer we ever dealt with," Roger King, CEO of CBS Television Distribution, said. "He gave us a chance with 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Jeopardy.' The history shows he was right. I will miss him dearly."

As news of Mr. Griffin's passing spread throughout the industry, his business partners and friends were quick to pay tribute to his memory.

"Merv was not only the creator of my show, 'Jeopardy!,' he was also a friend," said program host Alex Trebek. "Over the past 24 years, I found him to be a very outgoing individual with a great lust for life, always eager to tell a joke, have fun, and entertain. Whatever project he tackled, he did with gusto and great effort."

Executives from Program Partners, which is distributing and co-producing Mr. Griffin's upcoming game show "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" noted that he was a key player in the growth of the television industry.

"To say that working with Merv Griffin has been a highlight of our careers is an understatement," Program Partners' co-founders Ritch Colbert and Josh Raphaelson said in a statement. "A true renaissance man, Merv never ceased to impress us with his creativity, vision and amazing sense of humor. He has literally touched generations of people both in our business and beyond with his contributions and generosity."

A spokesperson for the show noted that the upcoming Monday through Friday program would continue without change for the fall, and that the name of the series would remain the same.

"That Merv was a genius in his work is beyond dispute," Mr. Colbert and Mr. Raphaelson said. "His work ethic was remarkable, as we observed in his contributions to "Crosswords," even in the very last days."

Mr. Colbert and Raphaelson also credited Mr. Griffin's ability to discover and encourage young talent.

"There are innumerable people who credit him with the essential boost that propelled their careers in entertainment," they said. "That legion of the grateful will be his legacy; we count ourselves among them. We will remember Merv with love and appreciation always."

Reports of a recurrence of prostate cancer, which Mr. Griffin battled in the 1990s, surfaced last month. A spokeswoman for the entertainer confirmed that prostate cancer was the cause of death in a statement to the AP.

Mr. Griffin started his entertainment career as a singer and bandleader before becoming a film actor, TV personality, show creator and entrepreneur.

In 1986, he sold his production company, Merv Griffin Enterprises, to Columbia Pictures Television, now owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, for $250 million and a continuing share of the profits of the shows. At that time, the transaction was the largest acquisition of an entertainment company owned by a single individual, according to the Internet Movie Database.

"With sadness we mourn the loss of Merv Griffin, one of the entertainment industry's great men," Sony Pictures Television said in a statement. "A gifted entertainer and an accomplished businessman, his talent touched us all. Our sympathy is with Merv's family. He will be greatly missed."

Pat Sajak, host of "Wheel of Fortune," was among those honoring the memory of Mr. Griffin.

"The loss of a dear friend has made it difficult to focus on Merv's enormous contribution to the world of entertainment," Mr. Sajak said. "That will come in time; for now, like his family and so many of his close friends, I'm dealing with deep sadness and the realization that I will never hear that wonderful laugh of his again."

The former host of “The Merv Griffin Show” made Forbes' list of richest Americans several times, according to the AP. He later jumped into the hotel business. Among his ventures, he at one point owned and refurbished the Beverly Hilton.

“Working with Merv will always be the highlight of my career," said "Crosswords" host Ty Treadway. "He was the ultimate entertainer, businessman and teacher. Merv was a legend who could make you smile with a song, a joke or his infectious laugh. He touched so many lives and will be deeply missed.”

Remebering Merv Griffin

"With sadness we mourn the loss of Merv Griffin, one of the entertainment industry's great men. A gifted entertainer and an accomplished businessman, his talent touched us all. Our sympathy is with Merv's family. He will be greatly missed."
--Sony Pictures Television

Updated: 08/13/07 10:55 a.m. (PT)