Alex Trebek Dead at 80 After Battling Pancreatic Cancer
By: TMZ
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Alex Trebek -- the revered and beloved "Jeopardy!" host since 1984, whose calm but witty presence was must-see television for millions of Americans -- has died ... TMZ has learned.
A "Jeopardy!" spokesperson tells TMZ, "Jeopardy is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends."
The TV icon had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer since announcing the news back in March 2019. He immediately started chemo after the diagnosis, but made no plans to retire and continued hosting his game show ... as impressively as ever.
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Trebek powered through for a full year -- despite what he called "massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on" -- because he said he realized giving up on life would be a betrayal to his wife, God and other cancer patients.
He pointed out the odds of surviving a second year with pancreatic cancer were just 7 percent, but he hoped he'd be able to celebrate that milestone too. Sadly, he took a turn for the worse.
Alex continued to host "Jeopardy!" ... recently beginning his 37th season, and earlier this year, he shot the epic 'Greatest of All Time' tournament on prime-time television.
Play video contentJEOPARDY!
"Jeopardy!" says Alex hosted episodes will air through December 25th. His last day taping in studio was October 29.
After his initial diagnosis, there were several ups and downs for Alex. In May 2019, he announced his tumors had shrunk more than 50 percent, obviously a great sign of progress, but his numbers declined and he began another round of chemotherapy a few months later. Still, he maintained a positive outlook ... and did a lot of good throughout his ordeal.
His soothing and reassuring voice was on display when he announced having cancer. Trebek -- who was signed to host the show through 2022 -- joked, "Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host 'Jeopardy!' for three more years!"
His commitment to the game show was a two-way street. When Alex took a brief medical leave in 2018 to have surgery for blood clots on his brain after a nasty fall, "Jeopardy!" never aired episodes with a guest host. He also suffered mild heart attacks in 2007 and 2012.
Alex started his career on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961 announcing the news, and quickly gained fame after hosting the high school quiz show, "Reach for the Top."
He introduced himself to U.S. audiences in 1973 when he hosted a new NBC show called "The Wizard of Odds." That would lead to work on a variety of game shows ... including "High Rollers" with his trademark curly hair and classic 'stache and a brief fill-in stint for Chuck Woolery on "Wheel of Fortune."
Then, when the "Jeopardy!" gig -- a revival of the old show -- came up, Alex got the call.
The show gained immense popularity with Alex at the helm ... dominating the evening game show biz along with 'Wheel.'
Alex -- winner of 6 Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding game show host -- set a Guinness World record in June 2014 for most episodes (6,829) of a game show hosted. Despite his unprecedented and hugely successful run, Alex never viewed himself as a celeb or the "star" of the show. He said as much to Harvey Levin for an episode on "Objectified."
Play video contentJULY 2018OBJECTIFIED
Alex also told Levin he was seriously considering retirement before signing a contract extension. He seemed serious at the time ... naming 2 potential replacements: L.A. Kings announcer Alex Faust and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates.
Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Ontario, Canada. He majored in philosophy at the University of Ottawa but he had serious ambitions about a career on TV. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998, but not before running the Olympic Torch in 1996 as it made its way to Atlanta.
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Alex -- who was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2017 for his iconic achievements -- married Elaine Kares in 1974 and they divorced in 1981. He married again in 1990 ... this time to Jean Currivan, with whom he had 2 children ... Matthew and Emily.
He was 80.
RIP
He had quite a following.
The only game show I ever watched on a regular basis.
The only game show that ever applauded intelligence.
The only game show host I ever admired for his intelligence.
R.I.P ALEX
From what I've seen of it I have to agree.
Another Canadian, Monty Hall who hosted "Let's Make a Deal", was no slouch. I knew him personally, and his brother Bob was a fellow lawyer in Toronto with whom I spent a fair amount of time due to our common interests, and they were both pretty bright good people.
However, I, too watched Jeopardy many times in the past, and agree with all the good things said by those quoted in the article - he was a master of the genre. I'm saddened by his death, and wish him R.I.P. and his family comfort in their mourning their loss.
Let's make it a true daily double, Alex.
I think everyone was pulling for him after he took such a philosophic approach to his illness. People who have stage 4 cancer are usually living on borrowed time though.
You and I both enjoyed the movie Groundhog Day. Do you recall the scene where they were watching Jeopardy and Bill Murray kept calling out the right answers before the contestant?
I do.
Jeopardy was a big deal even in 1993 when that movie came out.
He worked up until the last minute. C lass, intelligence, and wit!
Sorry to hear of his passing. Rest easy Alex.
I've been a huge Jeopardy fan for as long as I can remember. I remember my kids saying I should be a contestant but I'm really not as good as they thought I was back then.
RIP Alex.
Today would have been my mother in laws birthday. She died from pancreatic cancer, too.
I mention this because she loved Alex. She never missed a night of Jeopardy. They passed from this terrible disease. He passed on her birthday and I find that a strange coincidence.
Alex faced this disease with dignity and strength. I guess he never had a chance to post his farewell video because of COVID. He will be missed.
Btw... My brother in law was a 5-time winner on Jeopardy! He even went on to the Tournament of champions.
Great minds think alike.
Mensa recruited me back in the day and I said no. Didn't much care for them at the time.
Yes it is.
Sad .. I knew he had a hard row to hoe .. was so hopeful he would make it .. alas, RIP Alex, you fought a valiant and graceful fight and cannot be replaced!
Cancer is just simply evil!
Alex had much more than 15 minutes.
He will be missed
RIP, Alex. Your show was an addiction in my house growing up. My dad and I never missed it, if we could help it.
Rest in peace, Mr. Trebek. You were respected for your career, soft tone, humor, but especially for your philanthropy.