( CNN ) -- Like he does every week , Chris Hardwick hosted `` Talking Dead '' on Sunday night -- but this time , he was coping with a heartbreaking loss . His father , Billy Hardwick , died of an apparent heart attack a day earlier . Chris Hardwick , who hosts the aftershow for AMC 's most-watched series , `` Walking Dead , '' said he decided to continue with his duties because it was an appreciated distraction . He said he was grateful that he had a chance to tell his 72-year-old father that he loved him , and encouraged viewers to appreciate their families . Billy Hardwick was a Hall of Fame bowler who also appeared on his son 's podcast , nerdist . `` My dad was my favorite podcast guest . He was amazingly open and it brought us closer , '' Chris Hardwick tweeted Saturday . According to the Professional Bowling Association , Billy Hardwick 's career took off after `` one of the greatest turnarounds in professional bowling history . '' He went from a rookie in 1962 to winning four titles the next season . After he retired , he opened Billy Hardwick 's All-Star Lanes in Memphis , Tennessee . People we lost in 2013 . CNN 's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report .
His father dies of an apparent heart attack . The father was a Hall of Fame bowler . Billyu Hardwick had appeared on his son 's podcast .