R.I.P. Robin Leach, host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

"Champagne wishes and caviar dreams!"

Image: The Everett Collection

Before Keeping up with the Kardashians, before Real Housewives, before Cribs, there was Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, the show that helped popularize reality television and promote property envy. The syndicated television series aired from 1984–1995, giving viewers a peek into the lives of the fabulously wealthy.

But it wouldn't have been nearly as classy without the British accent. As the host, Robin Leach gave an air of royalty to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Born in London, Leach got an early start in journalism as the editor of his school paper at the age of 14. His professional career began in print, too, writing for Daily Mail and The Star. After heading to America, Leach joined Regis Philbin as an entertainment reporter at KABC-TV on AM Los Angeles.

In 1984, he landed the job as Lifestyles host, at the peak of the decadent '80s. The series was the creation of Al Masini, the visionary producer behind Solid Gold, Entertainment Tonight and Star Search. So much of modern television — from E! to American Idol — can trace its roots back to his programs.

Leach took viewers on tours of mansions and yacht, detailing the gold bathroom fixtures and giving the five-figure price tags on chandeliers. At the end of each episode, he signed off by wishing the audience, "Champagne wishes and caviar dreams!"

On Thursday, Leach passed away at the age of 76, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The TV personality had been hospitalized since November 21 after suffering a stroke in Cabo San Lucas. He would have been 77 next Wednesday.

Leach's TV credits included cameos on scripted series such as Sledge Hammer! and Thirtysomething. In 1988, he also made a memorable appearance in Wrestlemania IV, introducing the tournament for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Naturally, Ted "The Million Dollar Man" DiBiase was involved.

Later in life, Leach settled down in Las Vegas, where he wrote for Las Vegas Sun.

Television stars and influencers we lost in 2018

  • Burt Reynolds of 'Smokey and the Bandit' and 'Gunsmoke'
  • Penny Marshall, 'Laverne & Shirley' star turned blockbuster director
  • Ken Berry, star of 'Mama's Family' and 'Mayberry R.F.D.'
  • Charlotte Rae, Mrs. Garrett of 'The Facts of Life'
  • Harry Anderson of 'Night Court' and 'Cheers'
  • David Ogden Stiers, M*A*S*H star and Disney voice actor
  • Steven Bochco, creator of 'Hill Street Blues' and 'NYPD Blue'
  • John Mahoney, the beloved father of 'Frasier'
  • Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk
  • Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul whose hits soundtracked our lives
  • Bill Daily, the comedic neighbor of 'The Bob Newhart Show'
  • Robin Leach, host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
  • Clint Walker, the towering star of 1950s Western 'Cheyenne'
  • Roy Clark, country music icon and 'Hee Haw' host
  • Neil Simon, playwright of 'The Odd Couple' and more
  • Chuck McCann, children's television host and the voice of ''I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs''
  • Hugh Wilson, creator of 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' 'Frank's Place'
  • Mickey Jones of 'Home Improvement' and 'National Lampoon's Vacation'
  • Harlan Ellison, the sci-fi writer behind the greatest Star Trek episode
  • Margot Kidder, best known as Lois Lane of 'Superman'
  • Vic Damone, legendary singer, popular entertainer and TV host
  • Doreen Tracey, original 'Mickey Mouse Club' Mousketeer
  • Billy Ray Latham, The Country Boys banjo player from 'The Andy Griffith Show'
  • Dean Webb, The Darling Boys mandolin player on The Andy Griffith Show
  • Peter Wyngarde, British actor who appeared in 'The Prisoner,' 'Flash Gordon' and a Lucy special
  • Michele Carey, model-turned-actress of 'Gunsmoke' and 'The Wild, Wild West'
  • Elmarie Wendel of 'Third Rock from the Sun'
  • Celeste Yarnall, Star Trek actress and '70s scream queen
  • Dorothy Malone, Oscar-winning actress and 'Peyton Place' star
  • Robert Dowdell of 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'
  • Robert Wolders, 'Laredo' star and longtime partner of Audrey Hepburn
  • Wayne Maunder, star of 'Custer' and 'Lancer'
  • Deanna Lund, a.k.a. Valerie Scott on 'Land of the Giants,' Anna Gram on 'Batman'
  • Jean Porter, actress from 'The Abbott & Costello Show'
  • Harry Landers, co-star on 'Ben Casey' and many beloved TV shows
  • Joseph Campanella of 'Mannix,' 'The Bold and the Beautiful' and more
  • Frank Buxton, writer, actor and director on 'The Odd Couple,' 'Happy Days'
  • Greta Thyssen, actress on 'The Three Stooges' and 'Perry Mason'
  • Tim O'Connor of 'Peyton Place,' 'Buck Rogers' and 'Wonder Woman'
  • Bradford Dillman, prominent '60s and '70s film and TV actor
  • Tom Reese, TV and movie actor known for amazing fistfights
  • Ralph Woolsey, the man who gave 'Batman' its bold, distinctive look
  • Soon-Tek Oh, memorable character actor on 'M*A*S*H,' 'Charlie's Angels,' 'Hawaii Five-O'
  • Georgann Johnson, actress whose career spanned five decades in TV and movies
  • Eunice Gayson, the first Bond girl and guest star on 'The Saint'
  • Frank Avruch, best known as Boston's Bozo the Clown
  • Jerry Maren, the last surviving Munchkin from 'The Wizard of Oz'
  • William Phipps, prolific actor who voiced Prince Charming
  • Frank Doubleday, classic TV bad guy and villain from Escape From New York
  • Allyn Ann McLerie of 'The Tony Randall Show'
  • Barbara Dodd Remsen, classic TV actress and notable casting director
  • Tim Rossovich, NFL star turned TV tough guy and character actor
  • Wright King of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Wanted: Dead or Alive'
  • Peggy McCay, prolific TV actress who played Andy Taylor's high school flame
  • John Gavin, 'Psycho' actor who was twice almost cast as James Bond
  • Eddie Foy III, actor turned casting director on all your favorite shows
  • Nokie Edwards, lead guitarist for surf-rock icons The Ventures
  • Kitty O'Neil, 'Wonder Woman' stunt double
  • Ken Swofford, actor who appeared on 'Gunsmoke,' 'Columbo' and more
  • Frank Parker, soap star who got his start playing Gomer Pyle's biggest bully
  • Peter Donat, who played both Mannix villain and Agent Mulder's father
  • Carole Shelley of The Odd Couple's Pigeon Sisters
  • Fredd Wayne, character actor who played Benjamin Franklin on TV
  • Patricia Benoit, the bride in television's first big event wedding
  • David Landsberg of 'C.P.O. Sharkey'
  • Tab Hunter, actor and singer behind the early rock hit ''Young Love''
  • Roger Perry of 'The Facts of Life,' 'Star Trek' and more
  • Bill Loud, patriarch from the pioneering PBS documentary 'An American Family'
  • Bob Dorough, Schoolhouse Rock! composer
  • Miriam Nelson, choreographer of classic TV dance scenes
  • Doug Grindstaff, designer of Star Trek's iconic sound effects
  • Patrick Williams, Emmy-winning TV composer
  • Burt Reynolds of 'Smokey and the Bandit' and 'Gunsmoke'
  • Penny Marshall, 'Laverne & Shirley' star turned blockbuster director
  • Ken Berry, star of 'Mama's Family' and 'Mayberry R.F.D.'
  • Charlotte Rae, Mrs. Garrett of 'The Facts of Life'
  • Harry Anderson of 'Night Court' and 'Cheers'
  • David Ogden Stiers, M*A*S*H star and Disney voice actor
  • Steven Bochco, creator of 'Hill Street Blues' and 'NYPD Blue'
  • John Mahoney, the beloved father of 'Frasier'
  • Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk
  • Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul whose hits soundtracked our lives
  • Bill Daily, the comedic neighbor of 'The Bob Newhart Show'
  • Robin Leach, host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
  • Clint Walker, the towering star of 1950s Western 'Cheyenne'
  • Roy Clark, country music icon and 'Hee Haw' host
  • Neil Simon, playwright of 'The Odd Couple' and more
  • Chuck McCann, children's television host and the voice of ''I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs''
  • Hugh Wilson, creator of 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' 'Frank's Place'
  • Mickey Jones of 'Home Improvement' and 'National Lampoon's Vacation'
  • Harlan Ellison, the sci-fi writer behind the greatest Star Trek episode
  • Margot Kidder, best known as Lois Lane of 'Superman'
  • Vic Damone, legendary singer, popular entertainer and TV host
  • Doreen Tracey, original 'Mickey Mouse Club' Mousketeer
  • Billy Ray Latham, The Country Boys banjo player from 'The Andy Griffith Show'
  • Dean Webb, The Darling Boys mandolin player on The Andy Griffith Show
  • Peter Wyngarde, British actor who appeared in 'The Prisoner,' 'Flash Gordon' and a Lucy special
  • Michele Carey, model-turned-actress of 'Gunsmoke' and 'The Wild, Wild West'
  • Elmarie Wendel of 'Third Rock from the Sun'
  • Celeste Yarnall, Star Trek actress and '70s scream queen
  • Dorothy Malone, Oscar-winning actress and 'Peyton Place' star
  • Robert Dowdell of 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'
  • Robert Wolders, 'Laredo' star and longtime partner of Audrey Hepburn
  • Wayne Maunder, star of 'Custer' and 'Lancer'
  • Deanna Lund, a.k.a. Valerie Scott on 'Land of the Giants,' Anna Gram on 'Batman'
  • Jean Porter, actress from 'The Abbott & Costello Show'
  • Harry Landers, co-star on 'Ben Casey' and many beloved TV shows
  • Joseph Campanella of 'Mannix,' 'The Bold and the Beautiful' and more
  • Frank Buxton, writer, actor and director on 'The Odd Couple,' 'Happy Days'
  • Greta Thyssen, actress on 'The Three Stooges' and 'Perry Mason'
  • Tim O'Connor of 'Peyton Place,' 'Buck Rogers' and 'Wonder Woman'
  • Bradford Dillman, prominent '60s and '70s film and TV actor
  • Tom Reese, TV and movie actor known for amazing fistfights
  • Ralph Woolsey, the man who gave 'Batman' its bold, distinctive look
  • Soon-Tek Oh, memorable character actor on 'M*A*S*H,' 'Charlie's Angels,' 'Hawaii Five-O'
  • Georgann Johnson, actress whose career spanned five decades in TV and movies
  • Eunice Gayson, the first Bond girl and guest star on 'The Saint'
  • Frank Avruch, best known as Boston's Bozo the Clown
  • Jerry Maren, the last surviving Munchkin from 'The Wizard of Oz'
  • William Phipps, prolific actor who voiced Prince Charming
  • Frank Doubleday, classic TV bad guy and villain from Escape From New York
  • Allyn Ann McLerie of 'The Tony Randall Show'
  • Barbara Dodd Remsen, classic TV actress and notable casting director
  • Tim Rossovich, NFL star turned TV tough guy and character actor
  • Wright King of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Wanted: Dead or Alive'
  • Peggy McCay, prolific TV actress who played Andy Taylor's high school flame
  • John Gavin, 'Psycho' actor who was twice almost cast as James Bond
  • Eddie Foy III, actor turned casting director on all your favorite shows
  • Nokie Edwards, lead guitarist for surf-rock icons The Ventures
  • Kitty O'Neil, 'Wonder Woman' stunt double
  • Ken Swofford, actor who appeared on 'Gunsmoke,' 'Columbo' and more
  • Frank Parker, soap star who got his start playing Gomer Pyle's biggest bully
  • Peter Donat, who played both Mannix villain and Agent Mulder's father
  • Carole Shelley of The Odd Couple's Pigeon Sisters
  • Fredd Wayne, character actor who played Benjamin Franklin on TV
  • Patricia Benoit, the bride in television's first big event wedding
  • David Landsberg of 'C.P.O. Sharkey'
  • Tab Hunter, actor and singer behind the early rock hit ''Young Love''
  • Roger Perry of 'The Facts of Life,' 'Star Trek' and more
  • Bill Loud, patriarch from the pioneering PBS documentary 'An American Family'
  • Bob Dorough, Schoolhouse Rock! composer
  • Miriam Nelson, choreographer of classic TV dance scenes
  • Doug Grindstaff, designer of Star Trek's iconic sound effects
  • Patrick Williams, Emmy-winning TV composer

Burt Reynolds of 'Smokey and the Bandit' and 'Gunsmoke'

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Penny Marshall, 'Laverne & Shirley' star turned blockbuster director

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Ken Berry, star of 'Mama's Family' and 'Mayberry R.F.D.'

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Image: AP Photo

Charlotte Rae, Mrs. Garrett of 'The Facts of Life'

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Harry Anderson of 'Night Court' and 'Cheers'

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David Ogden Stiers, M*A*S*H star and Disney voice actor

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Image: The Everett Collection

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John Mahoney, the beloved father of 'Frasier'

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Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk

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Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul whose hits soundtracked our lives

The singer also appeared on the series Room 222. READ MORE

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Bill Daily, the comedic neighbor of 'The Bob Newhart Show'

He played an aviator on I Dream of Jeannie, too. READ MORE

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Robin Leach, host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

"Champagne wishes and caviar dreams!" READ MORE

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Clint Walker, the towering star of 1950s Western 'Cheyenne'

The cowboy actor was 90 years old. READ MORE

Roy Clark, country music icon and 'Hee Haw' host

The television and recording star was 85. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

Neil Simon, playwright of 'The Odd Couple' and more

The legendary playwright passed away at the age of 91. READ MORE

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Chuck McCann, children's television host and the voice of ''I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs''

The 'Far Out Space Nuts' and 'Captain Kangaroo' actor was 83. READ MORE

Hugh Wilson, creator of 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' 'Frank's Place'

The Emmy-winning writer passed away on January 14 at 74. READ MORE

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Mickey Jones of 'Home Improvement' and 'National Lampoon's Vacation'

On February 7, Mickey Jones passed away at the age of 76. READ MORE

Harlan Ellison, the sci-fi writer behind the greatest Star Trek episode

The author won a Hugo Award for his script for "City on the Edge of Forever." READ MORE

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Margot Kidder, best known as Lois Lane of 'Superman'

The actress passed away at the age of 69. READ MORE

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Vic Damone, legendary singer, popular entertainer and TV host

On February 11, the entertainer passed away at the age of 89. READ MORE

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Doreen Tracey, original 'Mickey Mouse Club' Mousketeer

Actress Doreen Tracey passed away January 10 at the age of 74. READ MORE

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Billy Ray Latham, The Country Boys banjo player from 'The Andy Griffith Show'

In scenes with Andy Griffith, the star's eyes were glued to Latham's pro picking. READ MORE

Dean Webb, The Darling Boys mandolin player on The Andy Griffith Show

His memorable picking made him one of Mayberry's most darling faces. READ MORE

Peter Wyngarde, British actor who appeared in 'The Prisoner,' 'Flash Gordon' and a Lucy special

He was one of the men who inspired Austin Powers. READ MORE

Michele Carey, model-turned-actress of 'Gunsmoke' and 'The Wild, Wild West'

The actress got her big break in El Dorado. She was 75. READ MORE

Elmarie Wendel of 'Third Rock from the Sun'

The Mrs. Dubcek portrayer passed away at 89. READ MORE

Celeste Yarnall, Star Trek actress and '70s scream queen

The actress passed away on October 7 at the age of 74. READ MORE

Dorothy Malone, Oscar-winning actress and 'Peyton Place' star

On January 18, Dorothy Malone passed away at the age of 93. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

Robert Dowdell of 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'

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Robert Wolders, 'Laredo' star and longtime partner of Audrey Hepburn

The Dutch actor was often typecast as a dashing lover. READ MORE

Wayne Maunder, star of 'Custer' and 'Lancer'

The 1960s Western actor was 80 years old. READ MORE

Deanna Lund, a.k.a. Valerie Scott on 'Land of the Giants,' Anna Gram on 'Batman'

The actress passed away at the age of 81. READ MORE

Jean Porter, actress from 'The Abbott & Costello Show'

The '40s and '50s starlet passed away at the age of 95 on January 13. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

Harry Landers, co-star on 'Ben Casey' and many beloved TV shows

Bette Davis kickstarted an acting career that led to the 'Star Trek' finale. READ MORE

Joseph Campanella of 'Mannix,' 'The Bold and the Beautiful' and more

The accomplished actor passed away at 93. READ MORE

Frank Buxton, writer, actor and director on 'The Odd Couple,' 'Happy Days'

The multifaceted TV talent passed away on January 2 at the age of 87. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

Greta Thyssen, actress on 'The Three Stooges' and 'Perry Mason'

The actress passed away on January 6 at the age of 90. READ MORE

Tim O'Connor of 'Peyton Place,' 'Buck Rogers' and 'Wonder Woman'

The prominent character actor passed away at the age of 90. READ MORE

Bradford Dillman, prominent '60s and '70s film and TV actor

We saw Dillman step into top-tier classic shows, like Wagon Train and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and returning for recurring roles on shows like Dr. Kildare and Court Martial. READ MORE

Tom Reese, TV and movie actor known for amazing fistfights

He famously duked it out with Elvis Presley, Wonder Woman, Mannix and more. READ MORE

Ralph Woolsey, the man who gave 'Batman' its bold, distinctive look

The Emmy-winning cinematographer was 104. READ MORE

Soon-Tek Oh, memorable character actor on 'M*A*S*H,' 'Charlie's Angels,' 'Hawaii Five-O'

The accomplished actor passed away on April 4 at the age of 85. READ MORE

Georgann Johnson, actress whose career spanned five decades in TV and movies

The prolific actress passed away on June 4 at the age of 91. READ MORE

Eunice Gayson, the first Bond girl and guest star on 'The Saint'

The English actress also starred in Svengoolie favorite 'Revenge of Frankenstein.' READ MORE

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Frank Avruch, best known as Boston's Bozo the Clown

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Image: WHDH-TV / YouTube

Jerry Maren, the last surviving Munchkin from 'The Wizard of Oz'

The actor also played roles on the surreal children's show Lidsville. READ MORE

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William Phipps, prolific actor who voiced Prince Charming

On TV, he was a Batman hood, an eerie presence in The Twilight Zone and much more. READ MORE

Frank Doubleday, classic TV bad guy and villain from Escape From New York

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Allyn Ann McLerie of 'The Tony Randall Show'

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Barbara Dodd Remsen, classic TV actress and notable casting director

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Wright King of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Wanted: Dead or Alive'

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Peggy McCay, prolific TV actress who played Andy Taylor's high school flame

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Image: The Everett Collection

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Nokie Edwards, lead guitarist for surf-rock icons The Ventures

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Kitty O'Neil, 'Wonder Woman' stunt double

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Ken Swofford, actor who appeared on 'Gunsmoke,' 'Columbo' and more

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Frank Parker, soap star who got his start playing Gomer Pyle's biggest bully

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Peter Donat, who played both Mannix villain and Agent Mulder's father

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Image: The Everett Collection

Carole Shelley of The Odd Couple's Pigeon Sisters

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Image: The Everett Collection

David Landsberg of 'C.P.O. Sharkey'

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Tab Hunter, actor and singer behind the early rock hit ''Young Love''

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Image: The Everett Collection

Roger Perry of 'The Facts of Life,' 'Star Trek' and more

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Bob Dorough, Schoolhouse Rock! composer

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Image: The Everett Collection

Miriam Nelson, choreographer of classic TV dance scenes

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He changed how you experienced 1970s television. READ MORE

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