George Alexander Trebek, popularly known as Alex Trebek was a beloved television personality. This Canadian-American game show host was best known for hosting the popular quiz show “Jeopardy!” for 37 seasons straight since its revival.
With his calm demeanour and sharp wit, he managed to build a successful career in the entertainment world. Other than Jeopardy, he hosted many other game shows, including Classic Concentration, High Rollers, The Wizard of Odds, To Tell the Truth, and Double Dare.
Trebek’s career spanned decades before falling victim to pancreatic cancer and succumbing to it on 8th November 2020, at the age of 80. If you are eager to learn about Alex Trebek’s career journey and life, we have got you sorted.
Early Life
Alex Trebek was born on 22nd July 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. His father, George Edward Trebek, was a chef, and his mother, Lucille Lagacé, was of French-Canadian descent. Growing up in a bilingual household, Trebek was fluent in both French and English from an early age. His fluency in both languages would later serve him well in his broadcasting career.
Trebek had a troubled school life due to various reasons. He was almost expelled from the boarding school he attended. Later he joined a military school in Quebec but dropped out midway. He then attended Sudbury High School and went on to the University of Ottawa to earn a degree in philosophy. Initially, he was not into television but wanted to become a diplomat. However, his path took a different turn when he began working part-time at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to help pay for his education.
Career
Trebek’s career in broadcasting began at the CBC in the early 1960s, where he covered a variety of roles, including newscasting and hosting music programs. His charisma and versatility soon caught the attention of producers, which landed him prominent hosting gigs.
In 1973, Trebek moved to the United States to further his career. He initially hosted several game shows, including The Wizard of Odds, Double Dare, and High Rollers. However, it was in 1984 that Trebek got his biggest career breakthrough as he was offered to be the host of the knowledge quiz game show Jeopardy!
With Trebek’s excellent hosting abilities, the show became one of the most popular game shows in television history. He hosted over 8,000 episodes across 37 seasons, earning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host. He even earned a place in the Guinness World Record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter.
Personal Life
Talking about Alex Trebek’s personal life, he got married to Elaine Callei in 1974. However, their marriage didn’t last for long as it ended in divorce in 1981. In 1990, he married Jean Currivan, a real estate project manager. Together, they had two children, Matthew and Emily.
Outside of his television career, Trebek was passionate about various causes. He was an advocate for education, and also involved in philanthropy. He supported organizations such as World Vision and the United Service Organizations (USO).
In March 2019, Trebek announced that he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued to host Jeopardy! while undergoing treatment.
Net Worth
At the time of his passing in November 2020, Alex Trebek’s net worth was estimated to be around $75 million. His fortune was generated primarily through his long tenure on Jeopardy! where he reportedly earned $10 million annually. In addition to his salary, he also made smart investments in real estate, which further contributed to his wealth.
