Game show host legend Merv Griffin passed away on August 12th of last year at the age of 82 after succumbing to prostate cancer. He is interred in LA’s Westwood Village Memorial Park, where the graves of other famous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, and Jack Lemmon can be found. His tombstone reads “I will not be right back after this message,” a reference to the familiar send-off before a commercial break. Griffin personally requested the inscription, and his spokesperson said “Merv would have wanted it exactly that way.”

In an interview last June with CBS, Griffin said “I like my life. When I look back on it, I don’t have any regrets. It was all great fun.”

Griffin’s estate is worth a reported $1 billion. He earned his fortune by selling the game shows he created, “Jeopardy,” and “Wheel of Fortune,” to Coca Cola for $250 million in 1986. He then bought and sold hotels including the Beverly Hilton, and invested in real estate.

Griffin is survived by his son, Tony Griffin, and two grandchildren. He was in a long term relationship with actress Eva Gabor until she passed away in 1995.

Merv Griffin is shown on 5/6/05 at the National University of Ireland, where he was presented with an honorary degree. RIP Merv. Thanks to WENN for the header image, and The National Enquirer for the story and grave photo below.