| Full Name | George Alexander Trebek |
| Age | 80 |
| Birthday | July 22, 1940 |
| Birth Sign | Cancer |
| Born | Canada |
| Height | 5′ 8′′ |
| Net Worth | $75 million |
| Social | Twitter, Instagram |
George Alexander Trebek was a popular game show host and TV personality, best known for his 37-season run hosting Jeopardy!. As the quick-witted host presiding over the iconic quiz show arena since 1984, Trebek was an authoritative, dapper and beloved figure for millions of fans.
Early Life and Childhood
Alex Trebek grew up in a bilingual French-English household in the Ontario mining town of Sudbury, Canada. His father George Edward Trebek was a Ukrainian immigrant and chef. His mother Lucille Lagacé was a French-Canadian homemaker. As a boy, Trebek was curious and bright, spending hours reading encyclopedias.
Trebek recalled fond memories of his childhood saying, "We didn‘t have a whole lot of money, but we never felt poor because we always had food on the table." He credits his mother with instilling his work ethic and sense of humor.
Rise to Game Show Royalty
In 1963, a 23-year old Trebek made his broadcasting debut hosting the Canadian game show Music Hop. Over the next decade he hosted several other Canadian shows, working his way up to American game shows in the 1970s. By the time Trebek was tapped to host Jeopardy! in 1984, he had honed his skills and developed an authoritative yet friendly demeanor.
For 37 remarkable seasons, Trebek hosted Jeopardy!, winning the hearts of viewers with his quick wit, dapper dress, encyclopedic knowledge and kindness towards contestants. Trebek‘s playful banter and skill made even the most difficult trivia seem fun. He hosted nearly 8,000 episodes and won 7 Emmys. Trebek cemented his legacy as the greatest game show host of our time.
Cancer Diagnosis and Final Years
In March 2019, Trebek stunned fans by announcing he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Always transparent, he shared his journey through chemotherapy with the public. Remarkably, Trebek continued to host new episodes of Jeopardy! throughout his treatment.
On November 8, 2020, Trebek passed away peacefully at his home. He was 80 years old. His last taped episode aired in January 2021, securing his place in quiz show history. Trebek handled his illness with courage, dignity and openness, inspiring millions of fans.
Remembering a Legend
Over his five decade career, Alex Trebek became an American icon who was invited into homes nightly through Jeopardy!. Though he is gone, his quick wit, humor and kindness will live on through decades of episodes. I‘ll always remember Alex for his smooth delivery, fun anecdotes and ability to always keep viewers on their toes. He left an indelible mark on game show television that will never be forgotten.