Alex Trebek, host of the Jeopardy Game Show, died Sunday morning at the age of 80, the show confirmed.
"Jeopardy is sad that Alex Trebek died peacefully at home this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex." official Jeopardy account tweeted.
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Trebek had one last year Video on Twitter and YouTube told fans that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, but he remained hopeful. "Usually the prognosis is not very encouraging, but I will fight against it and keep working," said Trebek.
Trebek has hosted the long-running Jeopardy series since 1984, and his contract should continue through 2023. New Jeopardy episodes moderated by Trebek will be broadcast until December 25th. His last day in the studio was October 29th.
"He was an industry legend who we saw night after night for 37 years," said Mike Richards, executive producer of Jeopardy, in a statement. "Working by his side for the past year and a half as he heroically continued to host Jeopardy has been an incredible honor. His belief in the importance of the show and his willingness to push himself to excel has been the most inspiring show of courage I have ever seen. His constant desire to learn, his kindness and his professionalism will be with all of us forever. "
When Trebek was asked in January by Entertainment Weekly what he wanted to say about his final episode of Jeopardy, he said, "I'm going to say goodbye and tell people, 'Don't ask me who will replace me because I'm sure that if you show them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me over the past 30 years, they will be a success and the show will continue to be a success and until we meet again, God bless you and Goodbye. "
As expected, many friends, colleagues and former participants from Trebek showed their love for the game show host on social media.
Alex wasn't just the best thing he ever did. He was also a gracious and deeply decent man, and I am grateful for every minute I spent with him. pic.twitter.com/CdHCcbqmp2
- Ken Jennings (@ KenJennings) November 8, 2020
"Alex was not only the best thing he has ever done. He was also a gracious and deeply decent man, and I am grateful for every minute I was allowed to spend with him," legendary At risk candidate Ken Jennings tweeted On Sunday. Jennings holds the record for the longest winning streak in the US game show Jeopardy with 74 wins.
I was on JEOPARDY! twice. In 1998 I went to the first Back to School Special. Alex Trebek was so nice to 15+ 10-11 year olds - my nightmare.
I was wearing a too shiny silver shirt from Limited Too that Alex kept joking (kindly) because he needed sunglasses to look at. REST IN PEACE. #Danger pic.twitter.com/QxgD9m9XI4
- 17 minute rain delay (@KendraJames_) November 8, 2020
"I've been in danger twice. In 1998, I was there for the first Back to School Special." Former candidate Kendra James tweeted. Alex Trebek was so nice to 15+ 10-11 year olds - my nightmare. I was wearing a too shiny silver shirt from Limited Too that Alex kept joking (kindly) because he needed sunglasses to look at. REST IN PEACE."
"So sad to hear that my friend Alex Trebek has died." Actor Ed Asner tweeted. "He was a fighter and also one of the nicest people on this planet. He left his mark on the world and on our hearts."
We mourn #alextrebek -a friend, a colleague, an icon. He graced us with warmth, wit and sheer elegance, which is why we welcomed him to our homes night after night year after year.
We are deeply saddened by his wife Jean, his family and millions of Jeopardy fans.- Robert Iger (@RobertIger) November 8, 2020
"We mourn for Alex Trebek - a friend, a colleague, an icon. He presented us with warmth, wit and sheer elegance, which is why we have welcomed him to our homes night after year. We are deeply saddened by his Ms. Jean, his family and millions of Jeopardy fans. " Disney executive chairman Bob Iger tweeted.
Other fan tributes to Trebek on Twitter show how much the game show host is missed. "The greatest quiz show host of all time who is second to none" wrote Peter Sagal, Host of the National Public Radio game show Wait Wait ... don't tell me. "RIP, Alex Trebek."
Alex Trebek passed away at the age of 80 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
This clip is everything.
Take a rest, Alex. Rest sir ... pic.twitter.com/zDX75s6Mtd
- Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) November 8, 2020
Alex Trebek seemed like a straight shooter, but he was never afraid to have fun with parodies. His contribution to The Simpsons is one of my favorite guest spots ever pic.twitter.com/2o2nzZ1nfT
- Tristan Cooper (@TristanACooper) November 8, 2020
It was a high point in my professional life when something I wrote hinted at it @Danger. I don't expect Alex Trebek to have remembered he and I had this brief intersection of our lives - he read a lot of pointers - but I do remember, and I'm glad about it. pic.twitter.com/veOovy42hO
- John Scalzi (@scalzi) November 8, 2020
