TV mogul, Merv Griffin, who invented the popular game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune ... passed away yesterday after surrendering to prostate cancer.
Griffin's TV career was launched in the '50s with variety-show appearances that eventually culminated in the 1965 launch of his syndicated Merv Griffin Show which ran until 1986.
In 1986, Merv sold his company to Columbia Pictures Television for $250 million ... Making him really rich!

After making his fortune in TV, Griffin invested in hotel and casino properties and became a magnate, even publicly battling Donald Trump over some Atlantic City and Bahamas properties in the 1980s.

So, in not many words, Griffin was really a mogul; not only did his his shows rivaled that of Johnny Carson's & his real-estate empire once butted heads with Donald Trump ... but through-out 23 years, he hosted 5,500 shows and interviewed more than 25,000 guests! Now that's a lot!

Rest in peace Merv ... We'll always love you.