‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ host Robin Leach dead at 76

By The Canadian Press and News Staff

A publicist says Robin Leach, whose voice crystalized the opulent 1980s on the TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, has died. He was 76.

Leach’s family said through a public relations firm that he died Friday.

“Despite the past 10 months, what a beautiful life he had,” his family said in a statement provided to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where he had been a columnist. “Our Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle and friend Robin Leach passed away peacefully last night at 1:50 a.m.

“Everyone’s support and love over the past, almost one year, has been incredible and we are so grateful. Memorial arrangements to follow.”

John Katsilometes, a writer for the Review-Journal, said on Twitter Leach died after having a second stroke while in hospice care.

He had been hospitalized since Nov. 21, after his first stroke in Cabo San Lucas.

Born in London in 1941, Leach was best known for hosting Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

He gave frenzied descriptions of yachts, mansions and private jets in his English accent on the syndicated show that ran from 1984 to 1995.

He signed off by hoping viewers would have “champagne wishes and caviar dreams,” a phrase that became a cultural touchstone.

Leach’s voice was constantly parodied. Both Harry Shearer and Dana Carvey did Leach on Saturday Night Live.

He began his career as a print journalist in Britain. He came to the U.S. where he wrote for the New York Daily News and People magazine before finding his calling in television.

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