Art Linkletter, the legendary television host known for his "People Are Funny" and "House Party" shows, died Wednesday. He was 97.

Linkletter passed away at his Los Angeles, Calif., home.

"He lived a long, full, pure life, and the Lord had need for him," his son-in-law Art Hershey said.

The TV host was a guest on CBN's The 700 Club.  Click here to watch Linkletter's interview with Pat Robertson on The 700 Club in 2006.

Hershey added that his father-in-law had been ill "in the last few weeks time," but that the "aging process" was also taking its toll.

Linkletter was known for his funny interviews with children and ordinary people in the 1950s and '60s. He collected quotes from children into the book Kids Say The Darndest Things and it sold millions.

Following his daughter Diane's suicide, Linkletter became an outspoken anti-drug crusader. He blamed his daughter's death on LSD.

Linkletter is survived by his wife, Lois, and daughters Dawn Griffin and Sharon Linkletter, as well as seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.