Guy Hovis, the iconic performer of The Lawrence Welk Show and celebrated for his unforgettable musical duo with former wife Ralna English, has passed away at the age of 84.
The news was confirmed on Friday, January 23, by English via her official Facebook page. She revealed that Guy Hovis passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22, after a several-week stay in the hospital.
“This news will come as a shock to many, as it has to me,” English wrote in a heartfelt post. “Guy had been hospitalized for weeks. I spoke with him briefly on Monday, and I was deeply concerned. His condition took a sudden turn for the worse. It hurts me to share this, but he passed away peacefully last night. We are all devastated and trying to come to terms with this loss.”
Though married from 1969 to 1984, Hovis and English’s professional partnership began with their appearance on a 1969 Christmas special, shortly after their wedding.
Their effortless on-screen chemistry quickly caught the attention of host Lawrence Welk, who invited them back repeatedly, eventually making them permanent fixtures of the show.
For 12 years, until 1982, the duo “Guy & Ralna” remained fan favorites, admired for their magnetic stage presence and seamless vocal harmonies.
During their 15-year marriage, the couple also adopted a daughter, Julie, further cementing their shared personal and professional legacy.
