It has been announced that the beloved Alex Trebek, host on “Jeopardy!” since 1984, has passed away. This news comes from a spokesperson for the show. “Jeopardy is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends.” The TV icon was 80 years old.
Announced in March 2019, the star had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He immediately started treatment after the diagnosis and made no plans to retire and continued hosting his game show. And despite what he called “massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on”, saying he realized giving up on life would be a betrayal to his wife, God and other cancer patients,he persevered.
Ken Jennings, who won that ‘G.O.A.T.’ tournament reacted to Alex’s passing, saying, “Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deep decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him.”
Ken’s competitor James Holzhauer added, “It was one of the great privileges of my life to spend time with this courageous man while he fought the battle of his life. You will never be replaced in our hearts, Alex.”
“Jeopardy!” says Alex hosted episodes will air through December 25th. His last day taping in the studio was October 29.
The shows executive producer, Mike Richards, says, “Working beside him for the past year and a half as he heroically continued to host “Jeopardy!” was an incredible honor. His belief in the importance of the show and his willingness to push himself to perform at the highest level was the most inspiring demonstration of courage I have ever seen.”
The TV icon was the recipient of 6 Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding game show host — set a Guinness World record in June 2014 for most episodes (6,829) of a game show hosted. Despite his unprecedented and hugely successful run, Alex never viewed himself as a celeb or the “star” of the show. He said as much to Harvey Levin for an episode on “Objectified.”
Alex Trebek is survived by his wife, Jean Currivan, and their two children Matthew and Emily.
—
Photo Credit: PaulCouvrette / Shutterstock.com