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Alex TrebekOCBornDiedCause of deathCitizenshipAlma materOccupationYears activePolitical partySpouse(s)ChildrenHonoursSignature
A native of Canada, Trebek became anaturalizedUnited States citizen in 1998.[3]He received theDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Hostseven times for his work onJeopardy!. On November 8, 2020, Trebek died at age 80 after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He had been contracted to hostJeopardy!until 2022.[4]
Trebek was born inSudbury, Ontario, Canada, on July 22, 1940,[5][6][7]the son of George Edward Trebek (néTerebeychuk),[8]a chef who had emigrated fromUkraineas a child, and Lucille Lagacé (born April 14, 1921), aFranco-Ontarian.[9]He grew up in a bilingual French-English household.[10]Trebek's first job was when he was 13; he was a bellhop at the hotel where his father worked as a chef.[11]Trebek attended Sudbury High School (nowSudbury Secondary School) and then attended theUniversity of Ottawa.[12]Trebek graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree inphilosophyin 1961.[5][13]While a university student, he was a member of the English Debating Society. At the time, he was interested in a career in broadcast news.[14]
Broadcasting career
CBC
Before completing his degree, Trebek began his career in 1961 working for theCanadian Broadcasting Corporation.[5]According to Trebek, "I went to school in the mornings and worked at nights; I did everything, at one time replacing every announcer in every possible job".[15]He would eventually read the CBC national radio news and cover a wide range of special events forCBC RadioandCBC Television, includingcurling[16]andhorse racing.[5]
Trebek's first hosting job was on a Canadian music program calledMusic Hopin 1963.[17]In 1966 he hosted a high schoolquiz showcalledReach for the Top.From 1967 to 1970 he was a host for the CBC, introducing classical music programs including performances byGlenn Gould. For one or two seasons he hosted a weekly skating program. Starting in spring 1969, Trebek also hostedStrategy, a weekday afternoon game show.[15]From 1971 until the end of 1972, Trebek hostedI'm Here Til 9, the localmorning driveradio show onCBC Toronto.[18]
Since the second incarnation ofHigh Rollerspremiered whileThe $128,000 Questionwas still airing and taping episodes, Trebek became one of two hosts to emcee shows in both the United States and Canada, joiningJim Perry, who was hostingDefinitionandHeadline Huntersin Canada andCard Sharks,which, coincidentally, premiered the same day asHigh Rollersin 1978 in the United States. Trebek'sfrancophoneside was put on display in 1978, in a special bilingual edition ofReach for the Topand its Radio-Canada equivalent,Génies en herbe.In this show Trebek alternated smoothly between French and English throughout.[23]
Like other hosts of the day, Trebek made several guest appearances as a panelist or player on other shows. One of his guest appearances was on a special week ofNBC'sCard Sharks,in 1980.[24]He and several other game show hosts (Allen Ludden,Bill Cullen,Wink Martindale,Jack Clark,Gene Rayburn, andJim Lange) competed in a week-long round robin tournament for charity.[25]Trebek won the tournament, defeating Cullen in the finals.[26]Trebek also appeared as a celebrity teammate on the NBC game showThe Magnificent Marble Machinein 1975, and theTom Kennedy-hosted NBC word gameTo Say the Leastin 1978.[27]Both of those shows were produced by Merrill Heatter-Bob Quigley Productions, which also producedHigh Rollers,the show Trebek was hosting during both of those guest appearances. Trebek also was a contestant onCelebrity Bowlingin 1976, teamed withJim McKrell.[28]The duo won their match againstDick GautierandScatman Crothers.[28]
AfterHigh Rollerswas cancelled in 1980, Trebek moved on toBattlestarsfor NBC. The series debuted in October 1981, and was cancelled in April 1982 after only six months on the air.[29]In September 1981 Trebek took the helm of the syndicatedPitfall, which taped inVancouverand forced him to commute, as he had done while hostingHigh RollersandThe $128,000 Questionin 1978.Pitfallwas cancelled after its production company, Catalena Productions, went bankrupt. As a result, he was never paid for that series.[30]After both series ended, Trebek hosted a revival ofBattlestarscalledThe New Battlestarsthat ended after thirteen weeks, then shot a series of pilots for other series for producersMerrill Heatter, for whom he had worked hostingHigh RollersandBattlestars, andMerv Griffin. The Heatter pilots wereMalcolm, an NBC-ordered pilot featuring Trebek with an animated character as his co-host, andLucky Numbers,an attempt at a revival ofHigh Rollersthat failed to sell. For Griffin, he shot two pilots for a revival ofJeopardy!when original hostArt Fleming(a friend of Trebek's) declined to return to the role due to creative differences. This revival sold; Trebek began hosting it in 1984, and remained the host until his death. His final episode hostingJeopardy!will air on Christmas Day 2020.[31]
In 1987, while still hostingJeopardy!, Trebek returned to daytime television as host of NBC'sClassic Concentration, his second show forMark Goodson. He hosted both shows simultaneously until September 20, 1991, whenClassic Concentrationaired its final first-run episode[32](NBC would air repeats until 1993). In 1991 Trebek made broadcast history by becoming the first person to host three American game shows at the same time, earning this distinction on February 4, 1991, when he took over forLynn Swannas host of NBC'sTo Tell the Truth, also for Goodson-Todman, which he hosted until the end of the series' run on May 31, 1991.[33]
In 1994, Trebek returned to the CBS network for the first time since hostingDouble Dareto host thePillsbury Bake-Off, which he hosted until 1998. Trebek andPat Sajak, host ofWheel of Fortune, traded places on April Fools' Day 1997. Pat Sajak hostedJeopardy!and Trebek hostedWheel of Fortunewith Sajak's wife, Lesly, as Trebek's co-host.[34]Sajak andWheel of Fortuneco-hostVanna Whiteplayed contestants at the wheel, with winnings going toward charities. Trebek appeared onCelebrity Poker Showdownin 2005, and came in second place in hisqualifying game, losing toCheryl Hines.[35]
Trebek had multiple guest appearances on other television shows, ranging fromJimmy Kimmel Live!in 2008 and 2011 to theThe Colbert Reportseries-finale.[38][39][40][41]In August 1995 in a return to his broadcast-news roots, Trebek filled in forCharles Gibsonfor a week onGood Morning America. Trebek was a guest star in season 3 ofThe X-Files, playing one of two "Men in Black" (human agents charged with the supervision of extraterrestrial lifeforms on Earth, hiding their existence from other humans) oppositeJesse Ventura, in the episode "Jose Chung's From Outer Space", which first aired on April 12, 1996.[42]On June 13, 2014,Guinness World Recordspresented Trebek with the world record for most episodes of a game show hosted, with 6,829 episodes at the time.[43][44]Trebek also appeared in multipletelevision commercials.[38][45]
On October 1, 2018, Trebek moderated the only debate in thePennsylvania governor's race, between DemocratTom Wolfand RepublicanScott Wagner.[46]According to news outlets, he wanted to change the flow of the debate to be more conversational instead of the more traditional format. He dominated the debate and talked for 41% of it,[47]often talking about himself without giving candidates time to discuss their stances on political issues.[48]He also made remarks regarding the sexual abuse scandals in theCatholic Church. Trebek later apologized for his performance, stating that he was "naive" and "misunderstood" the role of a moderator. "I offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pennsylvania, a state I dearly love," he said.[49]
On January 2, 2020,ABCran a special ofMichael Strahaninterviewing Trebek, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the taping ofJeopardy!. It was an exclusive interview at home with Trebek and his wife, Jean; a look back at the show's most memorable moments and contestants.[50]
Trebek married broadcasterElaine Calleiin 1974.[52]The couple had no children although Trebek adopted Callei's daughter Nicky; they divorced in 1981.[53]In 1990, he married Jean Currivan, a real estate project manager from New York.[54]They had two children, Matthew and Emily.[55]
In late 2001 duringJeopardy!'s 18th season, Trebek shaved the mustache that he had worn for over 30 years. He wore a fake mustache for the first half of the April 1, 2008, episode as an April Fools' joke.[58]In summer 2014, Trebek regrew the mustache for the 31st season ofJeopardy!, only to shave it off again a month into the season.[59][60]Trebek grew out a full beard at the beginning of the 2018 season, shaving it down to a goatee for the second episode and a mustache by the second week, and the next day was clean-shaven again.[61]
On January 30, 2004, Trebek escaped major injury after falling asleep behind the wheel of his pickup truck while driving alone on a rural road in theCentral Coasttown ofTempleton, California, returning from a family home inLake Nacimiento.[62][63]The truck sideswiped a string of mailboxes, flew 45 feet[64]over an embankment, and came to rest against a utility pole in a ditch. Trebek was not cited for the accident and returned to work tapingJeopardy!four days later.[65][66]
Trebek owned and managed a 700-acre ranch nearPaso RoblesinCreston, California, known as Creston Farms, where hebredand trainedthoroughbredracehorses.[57]His colt Reba's Gold is the stakes-winning son ofSlew o' Gold.[67]Trebek sold the operation in 2008 and the property is now an event center called Windfall Farms.[68]
In a 2018 interview withVulture, Trebek said he was a political moderate and registeredindependent, neither conservative nor liberal, with some libertarian leanings.[69]Trebek stated he believed in God as a Christian. In a 2019 interview, he said he was raised Catholic during his childhood and adolescence.[70][71]
Health
On December 11, 2007, Trebek suffered a minor heart attack at his home, but returned to work as scheduled in January 2008.[72][73][74]In July 2011, he injured anAchilles tendonwhile chasing a burglar who had entered his San Francisco hotel room, requiring six weeks in a cast.[75][76]Trebek suffered another mild heart attack in June 2012,[77]but was able to return to work the following month.[78]
On December 15, 2017, over the winter break ofJeopardy!taping, Trebek was admitted toCedars-Sinai Medical Centerafter reportedly experiencing complications from a fall in October of that year. The incident resulted in asubdural hematoma.[79]Trebek underwent surgery to remove blood clots from his brain the following day.[80]On January 4, 2018, theverified Twitter accountofJeopardy!announced that Trebek had been suffering from the fall. Trebek required a short medical leave and returned to regular hosting duty in mid-January 2018.[81]
In 2018, while being interviewed byHarvey Levinon Fox News, Trebek floated the idea of retirement, saying the odds of his leavingJeopardy!in 2020 were 50/50 "and a little less". He added that he might continue if he is "not making too many mistakes" but would make an "intelligent decision" as to when he should give up the emcee role.[82]In October that year, he signed a new contract to continue as host through 2022,[4]stating in January 2019 that although he was beginning to slow down due to his age, the show's work schedule, consisting of 46 taping sessions each year, was still manageable.[83]
Pancreatic cancer and death
On March 6, 2019, Trebek announced that he had been diagnosed withstage IVpancreatic cancer. He had been experiencing a persistent stomach ache before the diagnosis but did not recognize it as a symptom of the disease.[84]In a prepared video announcement of the diagnosis, Trebek noted that his prognosis was poor but said that he would aggressively fight the cancer in hopes of beating the odds, and would continue hostingJeopardy!for as long as he was able, joking that his contract obligated him to do so for three more years.[85]Trebek updated the situation in May 2019, stating that he was responding exceptionally well to treatment and that some of the tumors had shrunk to half their previously observed size; he credited the prayers and well-wishes of his fans for the better-than-usual results, and would undergo several more rounds of chemotherapy.[86][87]Trebek finished that round of chemotherapy treatments in time to resume taping of the show in August 2019.[88]Follow-upimmunotherapywas ineffective, and Trebek resumed chemotherapy in September.[89]
On October 4, 2019, in an interview withCTV'sChief Anchor and Senior EditorLisa LaFlamme, Trebek said "I'm not afraid of dying," and "I've lived a good life, a full life, and I'm nearing the end of that life ... if it happens, why should I be afraid [of] that?" In the same interview, Trebek noted that sores in his mouth, a side effect from the chemotherapy, were interfering with his ability to speak, noting that "there will come a point when they (fans and producers) will no longer be able to say, 'It's okay.'"[90]On November 11, 2019, during the Final Jeopardy! round, a player's response stated, "What is We ♡ you, Alex!", which caused Trebek to become emotional. Hours later, #WeLoveYouAlex was trending on Twitter.[91]In a December 2019 interview withABC News, Trebek stated that he would begin looking at experimental treatments and chemotherapies and that despite periods of severe pain and depression, he was still in good enough physical condition to handle construction projects.[92]Trebek also stated that he had already prepared an on-air farewell statement before his cancer diagnosis.[92]
In March 2020, Trebek announced he had survived one year ofcancer treatment(noting that his prognosis to survive that long was only an 18% chance) and that, though the chemotherapy treatments were often worse than the cancer symptoms themselves, he was confident that he would survive another year, saying that ending treatment would be a "betrayal" to his family, supporters, and to the God in whom he has faith.[93]As a precautionary measure,Jeopardy!was to tape episodes without a studio audience, to protect Trebek from the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic; Trebek, both because of his age and condition, was particularly at risk of death from theparticular strain of coronavirusthat is circulating.[94]Soon afterward, production of the show was suspended altogether.[95]The show resumed taping in August, in time for the season 37 premiere.[96]
On July 16, 2020, Trebek gave an update regarding his cancer. He said that the chemotherapy was "paying off" while he still felt fatigued. He also stated that he was looking forward to taping again.[97]On July 21, 2020, he published his memoirThe Answer Is...: Reflections on My Life.[98]
Trebek died at his home in Los Angeles on November 8, 2020, at the age of 80,[99]after more than 18 months fighting pancreatic cancer.[99][100]
Philanthropy and activism
Trebek was a longtime philanthropist and activist. He was active with multiple charities, includingWorld Vision Canada[51]andUnited Service Organizations.[101]For World Vision, Trebek travelled to many developing countries with World Vision projects, taping reports on the group's efforts on behalf of children around the world.[51]Trebek and theJeopardy!crew became involved with the United Service Organizations in 1995, appearing on several military bases throughout the world, both in an attempt to find contestants and as a morale booster for the troops.[101]He donated 74 acres (30 hectares) of open land in theHollywood Hillsto theSanta Monica Mountains Conservancyin 1998.[102]He was later awarded one of theAmerican Foundation for the Blind's six yearly Access Awards[103]for his role in accommodatingJeopardy!championEddie Timanus.[104]Trebek hosted the annualThe Great Canadian Geography Challengein Canada.[105]He hosted theNational Geographic Beein the United States for 25 years, stepping down in 2013.[106][107]In 2016, Trebek donated $5 million to theUniversity of Ottawato fund the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue, the objective of which is "to expose students to a wide range of diverse views, through speeches, public panels, events and lectures by University of Ottawa researchers, senior government officials and guests speakers from around the world."[108]Trebek's gifts to the university, which at the time totaled $7.5 million, also fund a Distinguished Speaker Series, which has included a presentation by Nobel laureateLeymah Gbowee, introduced by Trebek.[108]In 2017, Trebek funded the Alex Trebek Leadership Award at the University of Ottawa, an annual $10,000 award to asumma cum laudegraduate who has also demonstrated community leadership.[109]By October 2020, Trebek's contributions to the University of Ottawa totalled around $10 million.[51]In March 2020, Trebek donated $100,000 to Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter in Los Angeles.[110]
Awards and honours
Trebek was proud of the Peabody Award received byJeopardy!in 2012
On November 4, 2010, Trebek received theRoyal Canadian Geographical Society's Gold Medal for his contribution to geographic education and the popular study of geography.[117]Previous recipients of this award include the author andanthropologistWade Davis(2009),Peter Gzowski(1997), andMary May Simon(1998).[118]In 2016, Trebek was named the Honorary President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.[119]In that capacity, he was present at the opening of the RCGS's new headquarters in 2018.[51]
In 2011, it was announced that Trebek would be one of the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award at theDaytime Emmy Awards.[120][121]That same year Trebek received an Honorary Doctorate fromFordham University.[122]As of June 13, 2014, Trebek has held aGuinness World Recordfor "the most gameshow episodes hosted by the same presenter (same program)" for having hosted 6,829 episodes ofJeopardy!,[123]overtaking previous record holderBob Barker.[124]On May 4, 2015, Trebek's alma mater, the University of Ottawa, named its alumni hall in his honour, as a benefactor to the university.[125]
2014:Delta Air Lines – as himself, seen raising hand after being asked if the passengers have any questions toward the end of a Delta safety video.[165]
^Alex Trebek YKO Los Angeles.Now, jump ahead about 20 years... my father is still a chef, and he's getting feelings of nostalgia for the Old Country. He would like to go back and visit Ukraine.
^Marchese, David (November 12, 2018)."In Conversation: Alex Trebek".Vulture.com. New York City:New York Media. RetrievedNovember 13,2018.I'm an independent. I'm not ultraconservative. I'm not ultraliberal either. I toldSean Hannityonce: "I'm a social liberal and a fiscal conservative. I want to help people, but I'm nnecessarily eager to pay for it."
^Jump up to:abEggertson, Laura."Alex Trebek gift supports big thinking".Tabaret. RetrievedDecember 12,2016.Trebek credits the influence of his wife Jean on his approach to philanthropy. As quoted by Eggertson, "She has taught me the value of looking outside of yourself in a charitable way, helping others either financially or personally – and never expecting anything in return."
^Corcelli, John. [ht tps://www.broadcasting-history.ca/programming/television/barris-and-company "Barris and Company"]Check|url=value (help).History of Canadian Broadcasting. Canadian Communication Foundation. RetrievedNovember 8,2020.
