His April 7 death was confirmed to theNew York Timesby his former stepdaughter.
His passing had not been made public.
While disappearing in obscurity, Doren went on to become America’s darling andTwenty-One’s most winning contestant.
Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; Everett Collection
But not for long.
Despite denials by Enright and NBC, ratings dropped andTwenty-Onewas canceled in 1958.
Van Doren’s reputation was forever tarnished and he went into hiding.
Van Dorendied last yearin Connecticut at 93.
I could have said, The answer isMarty, instead of On the Waterfront.
I would have won.
There would have been no Charles Van Doren, no famous celebrity.
Charles Van Doren would have gone back to teaching college and my whole life would have been changed.
And I said, ‘No, he’s not going to win $100,000.
He’s going to take a dive.’'
