Chuck Barris ( born Charles Hirsch Barris on June 3 , 1929 ) is an American , best known as the creator of many popular television game shows . Charles Hirsch `` Chuck '' Barris ( born June 3 , 1929 ) is an American game show producer , film director and presenter best known for hosting The Gong Show and creating The Dating Game . Barris , a survivor of lung cancer , is also an author .