Historical Figure
Alex Trebek
d. 2020
Canadian-American TV personality (1940–2020)
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Biography
George Alexander Trebek was a Canadian and American game show host and television personality. Regarded as a pop culture icon, he was best known for hosting the syndicated quiz show Jeopardy! for 37 seasons from its revival in 1984 until his death in 2020. Trebek also hosted a number of other game shows, including The Wizard of Odds, Double Dare, High Rollers, Battlestars, Classic Concentration, and To Tell the Truth. He made appearances, usually as himself, in numerous films and television series.
In Their Own Words (4)
Don't tell me what you believe in. I'll observe how you behave and I will make my own determination.
"What I've Learned: Alex Trebek", Esquire, March 2003. , 2003
Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever, but I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me, then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.
His prepared last words. From an ABC News interview, January 2020. , 2020
I'm curious about everything - even things that don't interest me.
Jacobs, A.J. The Know-It-All, pg 102.
What goes 0-300 in less than 2 seconds? Your mother on a scale.
Justinson, C.H.L. Down and Dirty, pg 32.
Timeline
The story of Alex Trebek, told in moments.
Born George Alexander Trebek in Sudbury, Ontario. His father, a Ukrainian immigrant, works as a hotel chef. The household speaks both French and English.
Starts at the CBC before finishing his philosophy degree at the University of Ottawa. He reads national radio news, calls horse races, announces curling matches. He does everything the station needs.
First episode of the revived Jeopardy! airs in syndication. The original run with Art Fleming ended in 1979. Trebek's calm authority and genuine curiosity about the answers make him inseparable from the show. He'll host 8,200 episodes.
Becomes a naturalized American citizen. He's been living in Los Angeles for over two decades but kept his Canadian citizenship until now.
IBM's Watson computer competes on Jeopardy! against Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. Watson wins. Trebek moderates the three-night event with the same composure he'd bring to any Tuesday taping.
Announces on YouTube that he has stage IV pancreatic cancer. "I'm going to fight this, and I'm going to keep working." He does. He tapes episodes through chemotherapy for another 18 months.
Dies at home in Los Angeles. He is 80. His final episodes air through January 2021. Eight Daytime Emmys. 37 seasons.
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