István Vágó | |
|---|---|
 Vágó in 2005 | |
| Born | (1949-02-14)14 February 1949 Budapest, Second Hungarian Republic |
| Died | 29 April 2023(2023-04-29) (aged 74) Budapest, Hungary |
| Occupation | Television host |
| Television | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? |
| Spouse | Judit |
| Children | 1 |
István Vágó (14 February 1949 – 29 April 2023) was a Hungariantelevision host and political activist,[1] best known as the host of "Legyen ön is Milliomos!" the Hungarian version ofWho Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
Vágó was born and raised inBudapest. His original profession was a chemist, but he found a job working for Medimpex import-export company. Vágó spoke at least five languages.[2]
When Vágó began his television career he wanted to create a political show, but it was impossible to create one like he wanted (dealing with internal politics, analyzing decisions of the system) at the time so he ended up hosting quiz shows.[3] Vágó hosted various game shows, mostly quiz shows, since the '70s. He became one of the more popular television personalities in Hungary, and was usually known as "The Quiz Professor" by Hungarians. Vágó hostedMillionaire for several years; after a hiatus the show returned to the air in 2007,[4] with Vágó hosting the redesigned show once again. The second run proved less successful and was canceled in 2008.[3]
Vágó was the host ofMagyar Televízió (MTV) for 22 years, then he changed forTV2, thenRTL Klub. In 2009, he was the host ofTV2, thenhosted a game showÁtvágó, co-created by himself onStory4, which was cancelled after one season. Following the cancellation ofÁtvágó he announced his retirement as a television host.[2]
Vágó was anatheist andskeptic, and was the former president of theHungarian Skeptic Society.[5] He vocally supported theHungarianleft-wing, most notably former prime ministerFerenc Gyurcsány and theliberalSZDSZ party. He was present atantifascist[6] demonstrations. Vágó spawned controversy when he campaigned vocally for Ferenc Gyurcsány and health minister Ágnes Horváth. In 2014 he participated in the elections as a representative of the left wing, supporting Gyurcsány's party,Democratic Coalition.
In the 2014 municipal election, he ran as a candidate for local government as a joint candidate for the Democratic Coalition, the MSZP, the Co-PM, and the "European Federalists", though he told ATV that he did not understand local government politics.[7] According to its flyer program, it would introduce a fairer local tax, abolish toll parking at unjustified locations, and take over the building, the burial cemetery of St. John's Parish in Upper Christina City on Apor Vilmos Square, and make it a playhouse to preserve Normafa and prevent any investment planned there.[8] In an interview with HVG, he spoke in favor of Ferenc Gyurcsány and said that he was working to make DK leader a challenge forViktor Orbán.[9]
In January 2015, he joined theDemocratic Coalition and became the leader of the party's media working group.[10]
In September 2016, Vágó was elected DK XII. District Representative to the party's national organization, replacingSzabolcs Kerék-Bárczy, who left the party.[11]
Vágó played theguitar since his early teens, and was thebassist of Hungarian band Favágók. He was a fan ofThe Beatles andPaul McCartney.[1]
Vágó died on 29 April 2023, at age 74.[12]
A longer article discussing the end ofMillionaire
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