Alex Trebek, long-running ‘Jeopardy!’ host, dead at 80 | CNN (2024)

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Alex Trebek, the genial “Jeopardy!” host with all the answers and a reassuring presence in the TV game-show landscape for five decades, has died. He was 80 years old.

“Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” said a statement shared on the show’s Twitter account Sunday. “Thank you, Alex.”

The cause of death was not immediately announced. Trebek revealed in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, triggering an outpouring of support and well wishes at the time.

“Jeopardy!” contestant Ken Jennings tweeted Sunday he was thinking of Trebek’s family and the “Jeopardy!” family, “which, in a way, included millions of us,” he said.

“Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did,” Jennings wrote. “He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him.”

Trebek is survived by his wife, Jean, whom he married in 1990, and his three children.

Host Alex Trebek talks to the 10 finalists in the fifth annual National Geography Bee in Washington, DC, on May 26, 1993.

Over 37 seasons, Trebek hosted more than 8,200 episodes of “Jeopardy!,” the most by a presenter of any single TV game show, according to a statement from Sony Pictures.

But despite the years he spent on “Jeopardy!,” the syndicated quiz show where answers are presented in the form of a question, Trebek wasn’t exactly an overnight success.

Born in Sudbury, Ontario, he studied philosophy before becoming a journalist, working as a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

In 1966, while still in his mid-20s, he switched from journalism to hosting game shows, starting with a quiz show titled “Reach for the Top,” and followed a few years later by another, “Jackpot.”

It wasn’t until 1984 that Trebek landed what turned out to be his big break, when producer-host Merv Griffin chose him to emcee a revival of “Jeopardy!,” which was paired with another hit game show, “Wheel of Fortune.”

"Jeopardy!" moderator Alex Trebek is seen speaking in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on October 1, 2018.

The combination became a formidable block in the hour leading into prime time while earning Trebek five Daytime Emmy Awards for his role as host.

His longevity was reflected in a personal milestone, when he passed Bob Barker of “The Price is Right” in the Guinness Book of Records as the person who had hosted the most game-show episodes.

In a 2014 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Trebek downplayed that honor, saying, “I’m just enjoying what I’m doing, I’m happy to have a job. I like the show, I like the contestants and it pays well.”

Trebek began hinting it might be time to retire in 2018, before agreeing to sign one last contract extension, which was to run through 2022.

“He loved that ‘Jeopardy!’ popularized intelligence and it was important for him,” Mike Richards, the show’s executive producer, told CNN on Sunday.

“I think he really became synonymous with the show, in that he really was that smart,” Richards added. Trebek “reveled in these intelligent people, in the contestants, in the writers,” Richards said, and he would review every clue for each show, rewriting them and giving them his own “flavor.”

“It’s just who he was – he craved knowledge,” Richards said. “And it showed.”

Trebek’s last day in the studio was October 29, according to Sony Pictures. “Jeopardy!” episodes hosted by Trebek are set to air through December 25.

“The show is not announcing plans for a new host at this time,” the statement from Sony Pictures said.

‘Authoritative, reassuring’

Besides his hosting work, which included such shows as “Classic Concentration” and “High Rollers,” Trebek was active as a philanthropist, taking part in USO Tours visiting US troops overseas and serving as a spokesman for various charities, including WorldVision.

Game show host Alex Trebek poses on the set of "Jeopardy!" on April 17, 2010, in Culver City, California.

Alex Trebek appears on the set of the game show "High Rollers," which he hosted from 1974 to 1976.

Trebek stands with his wife Elaine Callei at the annual Thalian Ball in California in 1976. Trebek married broadcaster Callei in 1974. They divorced in 1981.

Alex Trebek hosts "Jeopardy!" on ABC in 1984.

Trebek is seen in his Los Angeles home in August 1988.

Trebek guest stars as himself in the "Cheers" episode "What is... Cliff Clavin?" The episode, which aired on January 18, 1990, featured Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger) appearing on the game show "Jeopardy!"

Alex Trebek and Jean Currivan attend the opening of "Jackie Mason: Brand New" in May 1990 at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, California. Trebek and Currivan married in 1990.

An episode of "The Golden Girls" in February 1992 titled "Questions and Answers" featured members of the cast appearing on "Jeopardy!" Pictured from left are Bea Arthur, David Leisure, Bill Erwin and Betty White, along with Trebek.

Trebek poses with his wife, Jean, and children Matthew and Emily after unveiling his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 1999.

Trebek poses with his wife, Jean, and children Matthew and Emily after unveiling his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 1999.

Trebek appears with cast members of "Saturday Night Live" during a "Jeopardy!" skit in May 2002. The skit featured Will Ferrell as Trebek, Alex Trebek as himself, Dean Edwards as Boyd Tinsley, Jimmy Fallon as Dave Matthews, Winona Ryder as Bjork and Darrell Hammond as Sean Connery.

Trebek holds his Emmy after winning the Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding game show host for "Jeopardy!" on May 16, 2003.

Trebek poses for a photo on set with contestant Ken Jennings after his earnings from his record-breaking streak on the game show surpassed $1 million on July 14, 2004.

Trebek celebrates with his Emmys and cake after being inducted into The Guinness Book of World Records on November 1, 2005.

Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek accept Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Las Vegas Hilton on June 19, 2011.

Trebek cuts the ribbon to kick off the 28th season of "Jeopardy!" on September 20, 2011, with Sony Pictures executives Harry Friedman, Steve Mosko and Michael Lynton.

Trebek speaks at the launch of All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC on November 18, 2011.

Trebek attends the 71st Annual Peabody Awards on May 21, 2012, in New York. Trebek and "Jeopardy!" received the award for "encouraging, celebrating and rewarding knowledge."

Shaquille O'Neal and Trebek guest star in the "Phone Booth" sketch with Jimmy Fallon on October 5, 2015.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Trebek in his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 5, 2016.

Trebek makes Kellie Pickler laugh during a group photo at the USO's 75th anniversary gala on October 20, 2016, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.

Consul General of Canada James Villeneuve and Trebek speak at the 150th anniversary of Canada's confederation at the consul general's official residence in Los Angeles on June 30, 2017.

Governor General of Canada Julie Payette presents the insignia of the Order of Canada to Trebek at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on November 17, 2017.

Trebek is introduced at the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Arizona Coyotes on November 18, 2017, in Ottawa.

Alex Trebek is interviewed at the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame Awards on Monday, April 9, 2018, in Las Vegas, where "Jeopardy!" was among the inductees.

Trebek discusses his cancer diagnosis with Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" on May 1, 2019.

Trebek kisses his Emmy at the 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards show in Los Angeles on May 5, 2019.

Trebek hosts the "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time" tournament with James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. The tournament premiered Tuesday, January 7, 2020, and the three highest-earning contestants competed in a first-to-3-wins series with a top prize of $1 million. Jennings won the tournament after four matches.

Trebek smiles during a taping of "Jeopardy!" in December 2019.

Alex Trebek's life in pictures

One of the few public missteps in Trebek’s career came when he tried his hand again at journalism, agreeing to moderate a Pennsylvania gubernatorial debate in 2018. Criticized for a performance that included talking more than either of the candidates, he subsequently apologized, saying he had been “naïve” about his role.

When Trebek announced his diagnosis in March 2019, tributes came from across the entertainment industry, including from late-night host Stephen Colbert, who said, “Everybody loves Alex Trebek.”

Jennings compared Trebek to CBS anchor Walter Cronkite, tweeting, “Alex Trebek is in a way the last Cronkite: authoritative, reassuring TV voice you hear every night, almost to the point of ritual.”

Trebek earned numerous awards over the course of his career, including the Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding game show host, which he won seven times, most recently in July. He also received a lifetime achievement award at the Daytime Emmys in June 2011.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the number of children Alex Trebek had. He had three children.

CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report.