Just hours after beloved Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek passed away following his lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer, his Wheel of Fortune colleagues Pat Sajak and Vanna White penned touching tributes.
On Nov. 8, 2020, Alex Trebek passed away at the age of 80. The devastating news sent shockwaves across America. The longtime Jeopardy! host's death was announced on Twitter with the game show's official account tweeting, 'Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex.'
- Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak has recently shared his thoughts on the late Alex Trebek. Sajack spoke highly of the Jeopardy! Host during a recent interview with PEOPLE (the TV Show!) earlier this week. Trebek passed away on November 8, 2020. “No one admires what he accomplished more than I do,” Sajak told People Show.
- Aug 06, 2020 Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak are both famous for the same thing: Being the longtime hosts of two of the most popular game shows on television. Trebek first popped up on Jeopardy! In 1984 and over the.
- 10 hours ago RELATED VIDEO: Wheel of Fortune Host Pat Sajak Says 'No One Was Better' Than the Late Alex Trebek. When the final episode aired, Nicky wrote 'Jeopardy!
As even casual fans of the game show likely know, Trebek had been open about his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He first announced his diagnosis in March 2019, explaining his desire to be open with fans about what he was going through. 'I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease,' Trebek said at the time. While he seemingly fought incredibly hard following his 2019 announcement, the beloved figure is sadly no longer with us.
From Seth Meyers to Viola Davis, countless celebrities have spoken out about Trebek's legacy and the impact he had on living rooms across America. Now, two more TV game show icons have paid tribute to the host in the wake of the loss: Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Scroll down to find out what they had to say about Alex Trebek's passing.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White wrote touching tribues, noting the 'tremendous loss'
So what did Pat Sajak and Vanna White have to say about the tragic passing of Alex Trebek? According to Page Six, the Wheel of Fortune host took to Twitter on Nov. 8, 2020, to share his feelings. 'Alex Trebek's courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him,' Sajak penned. 'A tremendous loss for his family, friends, co-workers and countless viewers. I was honored to be a friend and a part of his professional family for all these years. A very sad day.' Per Page Six, Sajak and Alex Trebek had hosted their respective game shows since the '80s.
Wheel of Fortune's Vanna White was also quick to mourn the loss of her peer and friend. She took to Instagram in her own heartfelt post on Nov. 8, 2020. 'I will cherish the many memories I have shared with Alex Trebek that date back well before either of our careers took off,' she wrote. 'I will always be in awe of the way he faced the battle he fought so valiantly, and I'm devastated to lose my longtime friend. My heart is with his family, friends, co-workers and fans. There will never be another Alex Trebek and he will truly be missed.'
In the time since the painful loss, some fans have speculated about Alex's Trebek's possible successor, though most are simply mourning the passing of an American treasure.
Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak are both famous for the same thing: Being the longtime hosts of two of the most popular game shows on television. Trebek first popped up on Jeopardy! in 1984 and over the years 'has become one of television's most enduring and iconic figures, engaging millions of viewers worldwide with his impeccable delivery of 'answers and questions,' according to the show's website.
As for Sajak, History notes that '[i]n 1981, Wheel of Fortune's creator, Merv Griffin (who also developed ... Jeopardy!, which debuted in 1964) tapped Sajak to take over hosting duties from Chuck Woolery for a network daytime version of Wheel.' In the time since Trebek and Sajak first took on their hosting duties, the two have earned countless honors (like the many awards that both the Jeopardy! host and Wheel of Fortune host have won and been nominated for), set records, and enamored endless viewers.
Considering these two have so much in common, fans are surely curious if the two are friends or merely peers. Frankly, we're sure plenty of people would be shocked and disappointed if they turned out to be foes. So what's the truth about Trebek and Sajak's relationship?
Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak aren't exactly friends, but 'they're not enemies either'
Considering the fact that Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak are two of the most iconic game show hosts on television, you might think that they are buddies. Unfortunately, that's not exactly the case. The Week noted in April 2013 that the pair 'aren't friends,' but added that 'they're not enemies either.'
The Wheel of Fortune star explained the nature of their relationship to the outlet, saying, 'We get along fine, but we're not in the same bowling league.' Fair enough. Granted, we have to admit that we'd be thrilled if they did, indeed, lace up their bowling shoes each Thursday night to throw strikes and spares together.
That being said, while they may never play casual sports together, Sajak was willing to send out a message of support when Trebek revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2019. At the time, Sajak tweeted (via USA Today) that he and his family were 'deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek's struggle with cancer.'
Wheel Of Fortune Alex Trebek
'Our hearts go out to him and his family. But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him,' Sajak continued. 'We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.'