Allen Funt was an American television producer and director, best known for creating and hosting the popular hidden camera show, Candid Camera. Born on March 16, 1925, he pioneered the genre of practical jokes on television, capturing the spontaneous reactions of unsuspecting people. Funt's work on Candid Camera began in the 1940s and continued for several decades, making it a beloved program in American pop culture. His innovative approach to comedy influenced many later shows and comedians, establishing a legacy that endures in the realm of reality television and prank shows.