The late Alex Trebek hosted more than 8,200 'Jeopardy!' episodes, with his last slated to air on Christmas Day. Here's a look at his life and legacy, from his start as a Canadian sports announcer to Emmy-winning millionaire.

Updated

2020-11-24T17:20:00Z

alex trebek

Trebek won Emmy Awards in 1989, 1990, 2003, 2006, 2008, and 2019.
Reed Saxon/AP Images
  • Alex Trebek, the beloved host of the "Jeopardy!" game show, died on November 8 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 80.
  • Trebek, who helmed "Jeopardy!" for 36 years, holds the record for most episodes of a game show hosted. He reportedly earned a salary of $10 million a year.
  • His last episode will air on Christmas Day. It was taped at the end of October, just over a week before he died.
  • The show announced that it will resume production at the end of November with a series of interim guest hosts. "We will honor his legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved," the show's executive producer Mike Richards said.
  • Trebek's path from sports announcer to game-show legend holds many lessons for success. Here's a deep dive into his trajectory and legacy.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Alex Trebek was the host of "Jeopardy!" for 36 years — that amounts to over 8,200 hosted episodes.

He died on November 8 following a a battle with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was 80.

Trebek's final remaining episode will air on Christmas Day. He filmed his final episode just a week before he died.

The show announced on Monday that it will resume production at the end of November with a rotating cast of to-be-announced guest hosts. "We will honor [Trebek's] legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved," Mike Richards, the show's executive producer said in a statement.

The first will be legendary contestant Ken Jennings. "There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored to be helping 'Jeopardy' out with this in January," Jennings wrote on Twitter.

Trebek died with quite the legacy.

After starting his television career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), he went on to host dozens of game shows, along with securing a recurring role as the host of  "Jeopardy!" in 1984. The show originally debuted in 1964.

Amidst a long list of lifetime achievements, Trebek holds the record for being the longest-standing game show host, along with seven total Emmy Awards. He has also made countless cameos on popular television shows, from "Golden Girls" to "How I Met Your Mother."

He released an autobiography in July that covered his career, his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and how he would like to be remembered.

Keep reading for a look at the beloved host's life.

Canadian television personality Alex Trebek was a game show host for over 50 years. He died at the age of 80 on November 8.

Alex Trebek.
Reuters

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, Insider

Trebek grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, which is roughly 250 miles north of Toronto.

Sudbury, Ontario is the fifth-largest city in Canada by land size.
Google Maps

Source: CBC, TV Guide, World Atlas

Trebek attended the University of Ottawa ...

The University of Ottawa's main campus.
Spiroview Inc/Shutterstock

Source: CBC

... where he began his career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He worked as a journalist and sports announcer before transitioning to hosting shows such as "Music Hop," a live teen music show, in the 1960s.

CBC headquarters in Toronto.
Kiev.Victor/Shutterstock

Source: CBC, Encyclopedia Britannica

"Jeopardy!" is by far Trebek's most successful show. It has aired more than 8,100 episodes to date.

Alex Trebek in 1988.
Alan Greth/AP Images

Source: Insider, Bloomberg, Insider

Despite its many episodes, the show only tapes 46 days out of the year, fitting multiple episodes in on these days to be aired later. The last episode with Trebek at the helm will air on Christmas Day.

A previous podium of Trebek's with a sample sheet and other items on display outside the "Jeopardy!" studio.
Josh Noel/Chicago Tribune/MCT via Getty Images

Source: Bloomberg, Insider

In 1994, the Game Show Network launched as a new cable network, and began broadcasting "Jeopardy!" and other classic game shows.

Alex Trebek with "Jeopardy!" with "Wheel of Fortune" creator Merv Griffin and Vanna White celebrating the launch of the Game Show Network in 1994.
REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Source: Reuters

In 1990, Trebek married Jean Currivan. The couple had two children, Matthew and Emily.

Jean Currivan is Trebek's second wife, he was married previously from 1974-1981.
Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Getty Images

Source: People, Biography

Trebek's family was present for his induction to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.

The Trebek family on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.
Reuters

Source: Reuters

Trebek has been awarded seven Daytime Emmy Awards. Six of those were awards for Outstanding Game Show Host ...

Trebek won Emmy Awards in 1989, 1990, 2003, 2006, 2008, and 2019.
Reed Saxon/AP Images

Source: Variety, CNN, Vulture

... and one represented a 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. Trebek received the award alongside fellow longtime game show host Pat Sajak.

Pat Sajak, host of "Wheel of Fortune" and Alex Trebek accepting their Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2011.
REUTERS/Richard Brian

Source: Reuters

Trebek was also awarded a Peabody Award for "Jeopardy!" the following year in 2012.

"Jeopardy!" executive producer Harry Friedman (left) and host Alex Trebek (right).
REUTERS/Keith Bedford

Source: Reuters

In 2014, Trebek was awarded a Guinness World Record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter. With 6,829 episodes hosted at the time, he surpassed Bob Barker's record on "Price Is Right."

Trebek celebrating with a Guinness World Record cake and a display of the show's Emmy Awards in 2005.
E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment/Getty Images

Source: Guinness World Records, Global News

Will Ferrell famously portrayed Alex Trebek's iconic role during his time on SNL for the recurring "Celebrity Jeopardy!" skits. Trebek himself made a guest appearance in 2002.

From left to right, Will Ferrell, Alex Trebek, and SNL actors Dean Edwards, Jimmy Fallon, Winona Ryder, and Darrell Hammond.
Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Source: Reuters

Trebek has also made many other television appearances over the years, usually as himself. He has appeared on shows such as "Golden Girls," "Cheers," "How I Met Your Mother," and most recently, "Orange is the New Black."

Trebek on an episode of "Golden Girls" in 1992.
Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Source: IMDb

Trebek reportedly earned a $10 million salary for his work on the game show.

Trebek in Los Angeles in 2017.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Source: CNN

In March 2019, Trebek announced that he'd been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. He's had previous health complications including surgery for blood clots in 2018 and a minor heart attack in 2007.

In his announcement of his cancer diagnosis, Trebek said he planned to "fight it" because he had three years left in his "Jeopardy!" contract.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Source: Bloomberg

He then released a memoir in July. The memoir gives the reader a look at who Trebek wanted to be remembered as.

Simon & Schuster

His autobiography, entitled "The Answer Is ...: Reflections on My Life," was released in July. His cancer diagnosis played into his decision to write the book. The book covers Trebek's many successes and gives the reader a look into his private life.

Trebek wrote about meeting Queen Elizabeth II and coaching his children's sports teams with Bryan Cranston along with his mustache and his accidental encounters with drugs.

The memoir also delineated what he would like his legacy to be.

"I'm about to turn 80," Trebek wrote. His birthday was July 22. "I've lived a good, full life, and I'm nearing the end of it. I know that," he continued. "I'd like to be remembered first of all as a good and loving husband and father, and also as a decent man who did his best to help people perform at their best."

Trebek previously named several possible replacements as the host of "Jeopardy!", including NHL announcer Alex Faust, CNN analyst Laura Coates, and a number of "Jeopardy!" alum.

Laura Coates in 2017.
Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Source: The New York Times

Jennings will serve as the first host of "Jeopardy!" following Trebek's passing, the show announced on Monday. Filming for those episodes will begin at the end of November. "There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored," Jennings wrote on Twitter. Other to-be-announced guest hosts will also try their best Trebek impression.

Ken Jennings on "Jeopardy!" as a contestant, alongside host Alex Trebek.
Getty

Source: Insider

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