The Untold Truth Of Drew Carey

Drew Carey is a name synonymous with laughter and entertainment, but his journey to stardom is filled with twists and turns that many may not know. As the host of the longest-running game show in American television history, The Price is Right, he has captured the hearts of millions since taking over from Bob Barker in 2007. However, beyond the glitz and glamour, Drew's life story reveals a man who has faced struggles, triumphs, and profound transformations.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Drew's path to fame was anything but straightforward. From his early days serving in the Marine Corps Reserve to rising through the ranks as a comedian and television host, Drew's life has been a testament to resilience and adaptability. His experiences, including personal losses and health challenges, have shaped him into the multifaceted icon he is today.

Join us as we delve into the remarkable life of Drew Carey, exploring the key moments that have defined his career and personal life. From his signature look to the significant impacts he has made on television and comedy, this article uncovers the untold truths behind the man who brings joy into our living rooms every day.

Table of Contents

• Biography
• Where Did Drew Carey's Signature Look Come From?
• Drew Carey Went Through Some Very Dark Times
• College Graduation Wasn't in the Cards for Drew Carey
• From Homeless to Right at Home on The Tonight Show
• Drew Carey's Weight Almost Killed Him
• You Probably Won't Find Drew Carey's Step-son in a MAGA Hat Anytime Soon
• Under Drew Carey, The Price Is Right Started to Celebrate and Uplift Women
• Drew Carey Lost His Former Fiancée in a Gruesome Murder
• Did The WWE Hall of Fame Snub a Diva for Drew Carey?
• Does the Name Brooks Parkenridge Ring a Bell?
• Drew Carey is a Buddhist

Biography

Where Did Drew Carey's Signature Look Come From?

Drew Carey was a military man before he became famous, serving in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1980 to 1986. "While in the Marine Reserves, I was looking for a way to make some more money, and it was suggested that I try using my jokes," Carey once said (via Military.com). It was during this time that he adopted his signature crew cut and started wearing the black-rimmed spectacles that became part of his image in the years that followed.

Although he has clearly carried parts of his military background with him, Carey played down his service during his Reddit AMA. "I don't like to make a big deal out of it," he said, before joking, "I kept the commies out of Ohio. We did a great job until the battle of Overland." But it clearly had a big impact on him and he gives back in the best way he can—with his comedy, which is what he said led him to leave the military behind.

Drew Carey Went Through Some Very Dark Times

Drew Carey smiles so much that it's hard to imagine him being anything other than happy and content, but that hasn't always been the case. The future star went through some serious mental health struggles in his late teens and early 20s, which apparently led to two separate suicide attempts. He opened up about the harrowing time in his life while speaking to Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell during a 2007 set tour.

Fortunately, Carey was able to find the right coping methods to deal with his struggles. "I learned how to believe in myself. Learned how to set goals, you know, self-help books," he told O'Dell, adding, "I just read every single one I can get a hold of and I still do. ... I am always coming out bigger, better, stronger, and happier." If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

College Graduation Wasn't in the Cards for Drew Carey

Speaking with Us Weekly, Drew Carey confessed that he "skipped [his] senior year of high school." While he was the class clown, according to biographers Ann Gaines and Nancy Peacock, he didn't abandon academics until college. Carey actually did graduate from James Ford Rhodes High School, completing a senior English course during the summer after his junior year.

From there, the fresh-faced 17-year-old headed to Kent State University, where he didn't exactly focus on academics and was "dismissed" after three years. "My first GPA in college was 0.5. That's half a D," Carey quipped to Us Weekly. It all worked out in the end, though, as Carey now holds honorary degrees from both Kent State and Cleveland State University.

From Homeless to Right at Home on The Tonight Show

Drew Carey's transition from Marine Reserve to famous comedian didn't happen overnight. He was reportedly paid around $10 a joke for his first ever stand-up show. According to Cleveland.com, Carey then found work as a paid emcee at the now-closed Cleveland Comedy Club in 1986 before moving to California to try and make it big the following year. But he quickly ran out of money and moved back to Cleveland: "I was once so broke, I had to give blood to get money for food," he told Us Weekly in 2013.

Carey returned to Hollywood and the touring comedy circuit, living mostly "out of his car" for over a year. His ultimate goal at the time was to appear on The Tonight Show— which he initially flubbed thanks to a missed phone call. But Carey's desire to make it onto the stage with Johnny Carson watching never faded.

Drew Carey's Weight Almost Killed Him

Drew Carey lost his father to a heart attack when he was just eight years old, and at one stage, he believed he was going to go the same way. "I always thought I was going to die before I was 60," he told Parade magazine. At his heaviest, Carey weighed 262 pounds. He started dieting after he was diagnosed with heart disease and had to have a stent put in one of his arteries.

The motivation he needed to get back on track came in the form of a child. When the comic became engaged to Nicole Jaracz, he realized that he wasn’t even fit enough to play with her then-5-year-old son Conner without becoming seriously short of breath. "I couldn't keep up with him," Carey said. He then permanently joined the ranks of sitcom stars who transformed their bodies and got serious about his weight.

You Probably Won't Find Drew Carey's Step-son in a MAGA Hat Anytime Soon

Drew Carey's step-son Conner made headlines in 2017 when he started a fire during a protest. The father and son were eating at a restaurant in Washington D.C. on the night of Donald Trump's inauguration when they discovered that protests were happening nearby. "I was just down the street having dinner with my kid and he wanted to see it," Carey told TMZ.

Fox News correspondent Griff Jenkins interviewed Connor live at the scene of the (since extinguished) fire, and asked him about his participation with it. Connor replied, "I actually kinda started this fire... because I felt like it, and I'm just saying, 'Screw our