Alex Trebek, who became an American citizen in 1998, welcomed “Jeopardy!” since 1984.
Los Angeles:
Alex Trebek, whose decades as host of the “Jeopardy!” Trivia game made him one of the most popular luminaries on American television, who died Sunday at the age of 80.
Trebek had led a very public fight against pancreatic cancer for almost two years, but had continued to record his program until recently.
His death was announced on Twitter by the “Jeopardy!” “, According to which Trebek” passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends “, adding:” Thank you, Alex “.
CNN media analyst Brian Stelter called Trebek “the greatest game show host of his generation … You always watched and came away smarter.”
Even Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his condolences to the family of Trebek, born in Canada.
“We have lost an icon,” he said. “Almost every night for more than three decades, Alex Trebek has entertained and educated millions of people around the world, instilling in so many of us a love of anecdotes.”
Trebek, who became a US citizen in 1998, welcomed “Jeopardy!” since 1984.
– A 36-year-old race –
Previously, he hosted other game shows including “Double Dare” and “Classic Concentration”, as well as the National Geographic Bee for 25 years.
But it was his time at “Jeopardy!” – a 36-year-old race almost unheard of by television standards – and his clear intelligence, gentlemanly aplomb and sneaky good humor that earned him the undying dedication of millions of viewers.
He has also won numerous awards. Trebek was a five-time Emmy Award winner during the day. He had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He was so deeply immersed in American popular culture that Trebek – or his imitators – appeared in numerous movies and TV shows; comedian Will Ferrell played it on “Saturday Night Live”; he even made headlines by shaving off his signature mustache.
Sometimes two or even three generations of viewers gathered in front of televisions to watch it.
A contestant, Burt Thakur, cried over a recently aired episode when he told Trebek how, as a little kid in India, he watched the show on his grandfather’s lap.
“I realized English thanks to you. And so, my grandfather who raised me – I’m going to have tears now – I used to sit on his lap and watch you day after day.
– Cancer diagnosis –
Trebek received a flood of support mail after announcing his stage 4 cancer. “I’m going to fight this,” he told his fans. Many wrote to him to tell him that they were inspired by his battle.
He had previously had health issues, including two heart attacks and a serious car accident, but he kept coming back.
George Alexander Trebek was born July 22, 1940 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Her father was a Ukrainian immigrant; her mother is French-speaking Canadian.
A graduate in philosophy, he went to work for the Société Radio-Canada in 1961; in 1966, he hosted a high school trivia game.
Trebek moved to the United States in 1973 to host a new NBC game show, “The Wizard of Odds”.
He took over the reins of “Jeopardy!” in 1984, when one of his friends, original host Art Fleming, refused to return.
Trebek held the record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same host, at 6,829, according to Variety.
“You work hard, you do your best,” he said with typical modesty at an awards ceremony.
He and his wife Jean Currivan have two children.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
