Did Ripley Have a Heart Attack on TV’s First Reality Show?

Ripley's first TV show is arguably the first “reality” show in history.

Vintage & Historical
1 min
Sabrina Sieck
Sabrina Sieck
Did Ripley Have a Heart Attack on TV’s First Reality Show?
All stories
Vintage & Historical

First Reality Show

He recovered enough to finish the show, but admitted himself into a hospital the next morning. A checkup revealed Ripley had a heart condition, although not thought to be critical. Three days later, the Modern Marco Polo had a fatal heart attack.

Robert Ripley tombstone.

The 14th episode was a eulogy and the series continued on for more than two years, hosted by Robert St. John and Ripley’s close friend Li Ling Ai.

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Ripley's Cartoon Of The Day

Sunday Cartoon! - February 2, 2025

Cartoon of the Day

Ripley's Cartoon Of The Day

Robert Ripley began the Believe It or Not! cartoon in 1918. Today, Kieran Castaño is the eighth artist to continue the legacy of illustrating the world's longest-running syndicated cartoon!