Canadian born Alex Trebek has passed away after a courageous battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.
Despite his diagnosis, Trebek continued to host the long-running game show which he had done so since 1984. His last day of taping in the studio, but fans will still get to see Trebek in new episodes that will air through December 25th.
He announced his diagnosis back in March of 2019 with a video message to viewers. In his message Trebek emphasized-
“Now normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this, and I’m going to keep working. And with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease. Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done.”
Throughout his career, Trebek won 6 Daytime Emmy Awards for best game show host. In 1999, one year after he became a naturalized United States citizen, Trebek was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He even set a Guinness World record for the most episodes of a game show hosted in 2014 with 6,892 episodes.
In relation to Disney, Trebek appeared in the now non-existent EPCOT’s Ellen’s Energy Adventure. He also voiced the tap recorder in Spy Hard and voice himself in an episode of Pepper Ann.
He leaves behind his wife of 30 years Jean Currivan and children Matthew and Emily.
May he rest in peace.