Alex Trebek – Longtime Host Of Iconic Game Show “Jeopardy!” – Has Passed Away

Nov 09, 2020

Cherished game show host Alex Trebek, who made his way into America's heart with his nightly appearances hosting Jeopardy! for over 35 years, passed away Sunday morning aged 80. He had been battling stage IV pancreatic cancer since 2019. 
In response to the tragic news announced by the show's Twitter account, many have taken to social media to pay tribute to the TV legend – including Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau. 

"Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends," "Jeopardy!" tweeted on Sunday. "Thank you, Alex."

Although Trebek had been very open and honest about his diagnosis the past two years, even speaking openly about his mortality, his death still came as a shock – as an emotional shock, that is – to many. 

Shortly after "Jeopardy!" made the announcement, Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, took to Twitter to say the world had "lost an icon."

"We have lost an icon," Trudeau wrote in his tweet. "Almost every night for more than three decades, Alex Trebek entertained and educated millions around the world, instilling in so many of us a love for trivia. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss."  

Legendary "Jeopardy!" alumni Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer honored Trebek with their own social media posts as well.

Jennings posted a sweet photo of himself with Trebek on Twitter, along with a sweet tribute. 

"Alex wasn't just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I'm grateful for every minute I got to spend with him," Jenning wrote. "Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy! family—which, in a way, included millions of us."

Jenning is best known for his title as the contestant to have made the highest winnings on the show during a regular season, as well as to have won the most consecutive games. His latest appearance was earlier this year in January as a contestant on "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time" tournament. Jennings won the tournament, making him the best player the show had ever seen. 

"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," James Holzhauer wrote in his tribute. "You will never be replaced in our hearts, Alex."

Holzhauer is a professional gambler who made a name for himself on "Jeopardy!" last year after a 32-day-long streak on the show, which saw him end up taking $2.462 million home.

"Alex was so much more than a host. He was an impartial arbiter of truth and facts in a world that needs exactly that," Holzhauer added. "He was someone you could count on to entertain you every weekday, even when his health barely allowed it."

Trebek first announced his diagnosis through the "Jeopardy!" Youtube channel in March 2019, keeping with his "long-time policy of being open and transparent." The host told fans he had been diagnosed that same week with stage IV pancreatic cancer, an illness that "50,000 other people in the United States" are diagnosed with each year. 

In true Alex Trebek fashion, he told fans he did not plan on stepping down as the host of "Jeopardy!" – and he remained true to his word until the very end. According to People, his last day in the studio was October 29 – just ten days before he died. His final episode is set to air on Christmas day this year. 

Despite his heartbreaking diagnosis, Trebek remained positive through and through. Jennifer Tomazic, a journalist at WPXI news who interviewed the late show host this February, spoke of his unwavering positivity in an article she wrote that same month. 

"You wouldn't know he's in a fight for his life by watching Alex Trebek at work," Tomazic wrote. "Many close to him say he's the first one in the office, at 6 a.m. some days, reading through all the questions and answers and meeting with producers."

During their interview, Trebek spoke of how "humbled" he felt as he received messages of support from fans in both the USA and Canada. 

"The response from people all over America and Canada with regard to my current health situation is humbling, really," Trebek said. "I had no idea that our show and myself had such an impact on the lives of so many people out there."

Alex Trebek was born in Ontario, Canada, on July 22, 1940. He first started his career in television in the '60s at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, before moving to the United States in 1973 to work as a game show host. In 1984, Trebek joined "Jeopardy!" and has hosted the show ever since.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Currivan-Trebek, and their two children, Matthew and Emily.

Our deepest condolences go out to Alex Trebek’s family during this difficult time.