Trebek, Alex (1940-2020), was a Canadian-American television host. He hosted the American television trivia program “Jeopardy!” from 1984 to 2020. It became one of the most popular and iconic game shows in television history. Trebek was known for his calm and charismatic personality and gentle, subtle wit. He also made appearances in many other TV programs and motion pictures.
George Alexander Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He attended the University of Ottawa High School in Ottawa, Ontario. He went on to attend the University of Ottawa, graduating with a degree in philosophy in 1961. Trebek began his career as a journalist and newscaster with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). From 1966 to 1973, he hosted the Canadian quiz show “Reach for the Top.”.
Trebek’s first role in American television was hosting the game show “The Wizard of Odds” from 1973 to 1974. In 1984, the American television personality Merv Griffin, creator of the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune,” invited Trebek to host a revival of the 1960’s and 1970’s game show “Jeopardy!”. Trebek then hosted more than 37 seasons of the program, a quiz show in which contestants receive clues in the form of answers and must give answers in the form of questions.
Trebek won seven daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding game show host. In 2011, he won a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. That same year, Trebek and the rest of the “Jeopardy!” crew received the Peabody Award for service in broadcasting. In 2017, Trebek was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. In 2018, Trebek and “Jeopardy!” were inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Trebek wrote a memoir, The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life (2020). In 2019, Trebek announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died on Nov. 8, 2020.
