Art Linkletter
Art Linkletter – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Explore the inspiring life of Art Linkletter (1912–2010), from his humble beginnings to a broadcasting legend, his philosophies and quotes, and the legacy he left behind in American media and culture.
Introduction
Art Linkletter (born July 17, 1912 – died May 26, 2010) was a Canadian-born American radio and television personality, broadcaster, author, and public speaker.
He gained widespread fame as the host of House Party and People Are Funny, and became especially known for spontaneous, lighthearted segments like “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”
Beyond entertainment, Linkletter was also an author, lecturer, and an advocate for drug prevention following personal tragedy. His style, warmth with audiences (especially children), and his large body of work made him a beloved public figure.
In this article, we’ll examine his life, career, philosophy, famous quotations, and his enduring legacy.
Early Life and Family
Art Linkletter was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada on July 17, 1912, under the birth name Arthur Gordon Kelly (or Gordon Arthur Kelly in some sources) .
In his autobiography Confessions of a Happy Man, he revealed he had no contact with his biological parents or siblings, as he was abandoned a few weeks after birth. He was adopted by Mary (née Metzler) and Fulton John Linkletter, an evangelical preacher.
When he was a child, the family relocated to San Diego, California (when he was about five years old) where he grew up and later graduated from San Diego High School at age 16.
He later earned a teaching degree (in English/education) in 1934 from San Diego State Teachers College (now San Diego State University). While at college, he was involved in sports (basketball, swimming) and was a member of the fraternity Alpha Tau Omega.
Although he earned a teaching credential, Linkletter chose to pursue broadcasting.
Youth, Struggles & Path to Broadcasting
In the early years of the Great Depression, Linkletter traveled by freight trains across the country, taking odd jobs and meeting people across many walks of life — experiences that shaped his ability to connect with diverse audiences.
He started his radio career in San Diego at station KGB, later moved to San Francisco, and oversaw program direction for fairs, expositions, and special events.
In 1942–1943, he faced legal trouble: he pleaded guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and was fined $500, then permitted to apply for naturalization.
In 1942, he formally became a naturalized United States citizen.
These early struggles gave him both life experience and resilience, traits that would define his on-air persona.
Career and Major Achievements
Radio & Television Stardom
Linkletter’s broadcasting breakthrough came with People Are Funny, a radio variety/game show he co-hosted from the 1940s onward which involved audience participation, gags, and situational challenges.
Another signature show was House Party (later Art Linkletter’s House Party)—a hybrid of talk, variety, audience participation, and children’s segments. It ran on radio and later on television. The television version began in 1952 and ran until 1969.
One of the show’s best-remembered features was “Kids Say the Darndest Things”, in which Linkletter would ask children simple questions and record their spontaneous, humorous, and sometimes profound responses. Over its run, Linkletter interviewed thousands of children in that segment.
He also hosted Life with Linkletter (a prime time spin) and appeared on other television and radio shows.
During his career, he also appeared in a few films, for example People Are Funny (1946) and Champagne for Caesar (1950).
Business Ventures & Strategic Moves
A notable anecdote: Walt Disney once invited Linkletter to invest in Disneyland, but he declined. However, Linkletter agreed to help with the broadcast of Disneyland’s opening in 1955. In compensation, Disney granted him the camera and film concessions in the park for its first ten years — which proved to be highly lucrative.
Thus he blended media, entertainment, and savvy business decisions.
He also launched a dance school (Art Linkletter School of Jazz, Tap, and Ballet) in the 1960s, and engaged in philanthropic, political, and advocacy work.
Awards, Honors & Later Years
Linkletter hosted House Party and People Are Funny for decades: House Party on radio and TV ran for about 25 years, and People Are Funny for about 19 years across radio and television.
In 2003, he received a Daytime Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
He was inducted into the National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame, held honorary doctorates from multiple universities, and had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2005, he returned to Disneyland to help present the park’s 50th anniversary celebrations — marking his broadcast role both at its opening and its fiftieth anniversary, earning him the status of Disney Legend.
In his later years, he remained active as a public speaker, author, and advocate.
Historical Context & Milestones
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Linkletter’s rise corresponded with the golden age of radio transitioning into the rise of television. He excelled in both mediums, adapting his style to each.
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The audience participation format in shows like People Are Funny and House Party became foundational to later television game shows and daytime talk/variety formats.
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His “Kids Say the Darndest Things” segment anticipated and influenced later TV segments and shows that showcase candid remarks from children.
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His business move with Disney’s concessions illustrates the intertwining of broadcasting and strategic asset deals in early media enterprises.
Legacy and Influence
Art Linkletter’s legacy is multi-faceted:
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He pioneered a warm, conversational broadcasting style that made audiences feel personally addressed, especially children.
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His work helped to define the daytime variety and talk show genre.
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His books — many based on “Kids Say the Darndest Things” or collecting spontaneous humor — sold widely and influenced later pop culture.
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As a speaker and author into late life, he encouraged active aging, continued growth, and civic engagement.
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His advocacy against drug abuse (especially in the wake of his daughter Diane’s tragic death) influenced public awareness and policy discussions.
Even decades after his death, his name remains tied to candid, heartfelt, humorous broadcasting and the idea that genuine connection with audiences matters.
Personality, Traits & Style
From available accounts and interviews, some defining characteristics of Linkletter include:
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Warmth and spontaneity: His interviews often felt unscripted, relaxed, and rooted in curiosity.
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Humility and storytelling: He often drew on ordinary experiences and stories to connect with listeners.
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Curiosity about children: The success of “Kids Say the Darndest Things” showed his interest in the unfiltered, honest view of children.
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Resilience through adversity: Though he experienced abandonment, loss, and public tragedy, he remained active and engaged.
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Morality and social concern: Particularly in his later years, he embraced roles as advocate, lecturer, and moral voice in public debates (e.g. drug abuse).
His public persona was that of a gracious, optimistic, and principled entertainer.
Famous Quotes of Art Linkletter
Here are some memorable sayings attributed to Art Linkletter:
“If anything is worth trying at all, it’s worth trying at least 10 times.”
“The golden rule. There isn’t big anything better than the golden rule. It’s in every major religion in one language or another.”
“I’ve learned it’s always better to have a small percentage of a big success, than a hundred percent of nothing.”
“My philosophy is to do the best you can for somebody. Help. It’s not just what do you for yourself. It’s how you treat people decently.”
“I grew up poor. I never had any money. I was a hobo, you know, ride the freights.”
“Do a little more than you’re paid to. Give a little more than you have to. Try a little harder than you want to.”
“Aim a little higher than you think possible, and give a lot of thanks to God for health, family, and friends.”
These quotes reflect his core values: perseverance, generosity, decency, humility, and gratitude.
Lessons from Art Linkletter
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Be authentic and human
His appeal lay in spontaneity, listening, and making genuine connection. -
Persistent effort pays
His quote about trying things repeatedly reflects a mindset of discipline and resilience. -
Small acts of kindness matter
Linkletter saw value in helping others, being decent in how you treat people. -
Value relationships and family
He often spoke of his longest marriage and deep love of family as central achievements. -
Turn personal sorrow into positive action
After the death of his daughter Diane, he became an outspoken anti-drug advocate, channeling grief into public service. -
Never stop growing
He remained active into old age — writing, speaking, learning — and refused to see aging as a stop. -
Leverage opportunities wisely
His negotiation with Disney shows he saw value in combining media opportunity with business acumen.
Conclusion
Art Linkletter’s arc — from an abandoned infant to one of America’s most beloved broadcasters — is a compelling narrative of resilience, heart, curiosity, and reinvention. He didn’t just entertain; he connected, asked questions, lifted voices of children, and tried to use his platform for moral purpose.
His brand of warmth, humor, and dignity continues to influence media formats, public speaking, and the idea that authenticity and kindness are as powerful as spectacle. His quotations and philosophies still resonate in a world hungry for connection.