Alex Trebek has hosted nearly 8,000 episodes of 'Jeopardy!' over 35 years. Here's a look at the 6-time Emmy Award winner's long career
Canadian television personality Alex Trebek has been a game show host for over 50 years.
Born George Alexander Trebek, Trebek grew up in Sudbury, Ontario in 1940. The city is the fifth-largest in Canada by land size, and is roughly 250 miles north of Toronto.
Source: CBC, TV Guide, World Atlas
... where he began his career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He worked as a journalist and sports announcer before transitioning to hosting shows such as "Music Hop" in the 1960s.
Source: CBC
After moving to the United States, Trebek debuted as the host of the game show "High Rollers" ...
Source: Biography
"Jeopardy!" is by far Trebek's most successful show. It has aired over 7,000 episodes during its 35-year lifetime.
Despite its many episodes, the show only tapes 46 days out of the year, fitting multiple episodes in on these days to be aired later.
Source: Bloomberg
In 1994, the Game Show Network launched as the newest cable network, and began broadcasting "Jeopardy!" and other classic game shows.
Source: Reuters
Trebek married Elaine Callei in 1974. The couple divorced in 1981 and has no children.
Source: Biography
In 1990, Trebek married Jean Currivan. The couple has adult two children, Matthew and Emily.
Source: People
Trebek's family was present for his induction to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.
Source: Reuters
... and is the winner of six Daytime Emmy Awards, including five for Outstanding Game Show Host ...
... and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. Trebek received the award alongside fellow longtime game show host Pat Sajak.
Source: Reuters
In 2014, Trebek was awarded a Guinness World Record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter. With 6,829 episodes hosted at the time, he surpassed Bob Barker's record for "Price Is Right."
Source: Guinness World Records, Global News
Will Ferrell famously portrayed Alex Trebek's iconic role during his time on SNL for the recurring "Celebrity Jeopardy!" skits. Trebek himself made a guest appearance in 2002.
Source: Reuters
Trebek has also made many other television appearances over the years, usually as himself. He has appeared on shows such as "Golden Girls," "Cheers," "How I Met Your Mother," and most recently "Orange is the New Black."
Source: IMDb
On March 6, he announced that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but that he intends to "fight" it. He's had previous health complications including surgery for blood clots in 2018 and a minor heart attack in 2007.
Source: Bloomberg
Trebek previously named several possible replacements as the host of "Jeopardy!", including NHL announcer Alex Faust and CNN analyst Laura Coates.
Source: The New York Times
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