Comedian and actor Jan Murray dies at 89

NEW YORK, July 3 (UPI) -- Stand-up comedian and television legend Jan Murray has died at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 89.

His son Howard Murray said his father had been suffering from deteriorating health for the past few months, The New York Times reported Monday.

Murray belonged to a close-knit generation of New York stand-up comics.

"The house was always filled with comedians," said his daughter Diane Murray, recalling her father's friends -- Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Shecky Greene and Buddy Hackett -- who would gather for dinner and poker games at Murray's home.

"It was an unusual house, but when you are growing up, you don't realize that's not normal," she said.

Murray's gravelly voice and quick wit kept a generation of Americans thoroughly entertained through a long string of television game shows, including "Songs For Sale" and "Dollar a Second," the Times said. He also created and produced his most popular show, "Treasure Hunt."

He appeared in many movies and worked as a substitute host for Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show." He retired at 82, citing asthma.