Alex Trebek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alex Trebek
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Trebek at the Peabody Awards in 2012
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George Alexander Trebek
July 22, 1940 Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | November 8, 2020 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Ottawa (BA) |
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| Years active | 1961–2020 |
| Known for | Second host of Jeopardy! (1984–2020) |
| Political party | Independent |
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| Children | 3 |
| Honours | Order of Canada |
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George Alexander Trebek OC (July 22, 1940 – November 8, 2020) was a famous Canadian-American TV host. He was best known for hosting the popular quiz show Jeopardy! for 37 seasons. He hosted it from when it started again in 1984 until he passed away in 2020.
Trebek also hosted many other game shows. These included The Wizard of Odds, Double Dare, and High Rollers. He often appeared in movies and TV shows as himself.
Born in Canada, Trebek became a U.S. citizen in 1998. He won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host eight times for his work on Jeopardy!. He died at age 80 after battling pancreatic cancer.
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Early Life and Education
Alex Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. His father was a chef who came from Ukraine. His mother was French-Canadian. Trebek grew up speaking both French and English.
His first job was at age 13, working as a bellhop at the hotel where his father cooked. He went to Sudbury High School. Later, he studied philosophy at the University of Ottawa. He graduated in 1961. While in college, he was part of the English Debating Society. He was very interested in a career in broadcast news.
Broadcasting Career Highlights
Starting at CBC
Trebek began his career in 1961 at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He worked many different jobs there. He even read the national news on CBC radio. He also covered sports like curling and horse racing.
His first hosting job was on a Canadian music show called Music Hop in 1963. In 1966, he hosted a high school quiz show called Reach for the Top. From 1967 to 1970, he introduced classical music programs. He also hosted a weekly skating show.
Becoming a Game Show Host
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In 1973, Trebek moved to the United States. He started working for NBC. His first U.S. game show was The Wizard of Odds. A year later, he hosted High Rollers, which was very popular.
He also hosted Double Dare for CBS. This was his only game show with CBS. He also hosted the second season of The $128,000 Question.
Trebek sometimes appeared as a guest on other game shows. In 1980, he won a tournament on NBC's Card Sharks. He competed against other game show hosts. He also appeared on The Magnificent Marble Machine and To Say the Least.
After High Rollers ended in 1980, Trebek hosted Battlestars. He also hosted Pitfall, which was filmed in Canada.
Hosting Jeopardy!
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Alex Trebek started hosting Jeopardy! in 1984. He continued to host it until his death in 2020. He filmed his last episode on October 29, 2020. This episode aired in January 2021.
While hosting Jeopardy!, Trebek also hosted Classic Concentration from 1987 to 1991. In 1991, he made history by hosting three American game shows at once. He also hosted To Tell the Truth for a short time.
In 1997, Trebek and Pat Sajak, the host of Wheel of Fortune, switched places for April Fools' Day. Trebek hosted Wheel of Fortune and Sajak hosted Jeopardy!.
In January 2020, Trebek hosted a special Jeopardy! event called The Greatest of All Time. It featured the show's top winners: Brad Rutter, Ken Jennings, and James Holzhauer.
Other TV Appearances
Trebek appeared on many other TV shows. These included Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Colbert Report. In 1995, he filled in for a week on Good Morning America.
He also acted in some TV shows and movies, usually playing himself. He appeared in an episode of The X-Files in 1996. On June 13, 2014, he earned a Guinness World Record. He was recognized for hosting the most episodes of a game show, with 6,829 episodes of Jeopardy! at that time.
Personal Life
Alex Trebek married Elaine Callei in 1974. They did not have children together, but Trebek adopted Elaine's daughter, Nicky. They divorced in 1981. In 1990, he married Jean Currivan. They had two children, Matthew and Emily.
In 1996, Trebek carried the Olympic torch in Florida. He became a U.S. citizen in 1998.
Trebek owned a large ranch in California. There, he raised and trained thoroughbred racehorses. He sold the ranch in 2008.
Pancreatic Cancer and Death
On March 6, 2019, Alex Trebek announced he had pancreatic cancer. He continued to host Jeopardy! while undergoing treatment.
He taped his final episodes on October 29, 2020. Ten days later, on November 8, Trebek passed away at his home in Los Angeles. He was 80 years old. He was cremated, and his remains were given to his wife.
Tributes and Recognition
After Trebek's death, many people paid tribute to him. These included Jeopardy! contestant and future host Ken Jennings. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, also shared his condolences.
On the Jeopardy! episode after his death, the show's executive producer, Mike Richards, gave a special message. He said Trebek loved the show and was an inspiration. The lights on the set were dimmed in his memory.
After each episode in his final season, a special message appeared. It read, "Dedicated to Alex Trebek. Forever in our hearts. Always our inspiration." On the first anniversary of his death, another message appeared. It said, "Alex Trebek, July 22, 1940 – November 8, 2020. You are missed every day."
In 2021, the Jeopardy! stage was officially renamed "The Alex Trebek Stage." His family was there for the dedication.
Helping Others (Philanthropy)
Alex Trebek was known for his kindness and generosity. He supported many charities. These included World Vision Canada and United Service Organizations (USO). For World Vision, he traveled to different countries. He reported on their work helping children.
He and the Jeopardy! team visited military bases around the world. This helped boost the spirits of the troops. Trebek also donated 74 acres of land in the Hollywood Hills for conservation.
He hosted the National Geographic Bee in the United States for 25 years. He stepped down in 2013. He also supported making English the official language of the United States.
In 2016, Trebek gave $5 million to the University of Ottawa. This money helped create the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue. It aims to bring different ideas and speakers to students. By 2020, his total donations to the university were about $10 million.
In March 2020, Trebek donated $100,000 to a homeless shelter in Los Angeles. After he passed away, his son donated Trebek's wardrobe to a charity that helps people find jobs.
Awards and Honors
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Alex Trebek received many awards and honors throughout his life. In 1997, the University of Ottawa gave him an honorary degree.
He won eight Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Awards. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2010, he received the gold medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. This was for his work in promoting geography education. In 2016, he became the Honorary President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
In 2011, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Fordham University.
On May 4, 2015, the University of Ottawa named its alumni hall after him. This was to honor his support for the university. In 2016, he received the Key to the City of Ottawa.
On June 30, 2017, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors. It recognized his achievements in television and his promotion of learning.
In 2019, he received the Americanism Award. In 2020, he won the Icon Award at the Canadian Screen Awards.
In 2021, a grant program called The Trebek Initiative was announced. It helps new Canadian explorers, scientists, and educators. A mural honoring Trebek was also created at his old high school in Sudbury.
On August 19, 2021, the Jeopardy! sound stage was officially renamed "The Alex Trebek Stage." In 2022, Trebek was added to the first Jeopardy! Hall of Fame.
Shows Hosted
- 1963–1964: Music Hop (CBC)
- 1966–1973: Reach for the Top (CBC)
- 1969: Strategy (CBC)
- 1973: The Wizard of Odds (NBC)
- 1974–1976, 1978–1980: High Rollers (NBC)
- 1976–1977: Double Dare (CBS)
- 1981–1982: Pitfall
- 1981–1983: Battlestars
- 1984–2021: Jeopardy!
- 1987–1991: Classic Concentration
- 1989–2013: The National Geographic Bee national finals
- 1991: To Tell the Truth
- 1996–1998: The Pillsbury Bake-Off
- 1997: Wheel of Fortune (April Fools' Day episode)
- 2020: Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time
Acting Roles (as himself, unless noted)
- 1987: Mama's Family (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1988: Rain Man (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1990: Cheers (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1990: Predator 2 (voice, as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1992: The Golden Girls (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1992: White Men Can't Jump (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1993: Groundhog Day (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1993: Rugrats (voice, as Alan Quebec, host of "Super Stumpers")
- 1995: The Nanny (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1996: The X-Files (as a "Man in Black")
- 1996: Seinfeld (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 1997: The Simpsons (voice, as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 2000: Finding Forrester (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 2000: Charlie's Angels (as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 2006: Family Guy (voice, as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 2010: How I Met Your Mother
- 2014: Hot in Cleveland (as himself and Park Ranger Alex Trebek)
- 2018: Orange Is the New Black
- 2018: RuPaul's Drag Race
- 2020: Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? (voice, as the host of Jeopardy!)
- 2021: Free Guy (final film role, as the host of Jeopardy!)
See Also
In Spanish: Alex Trebek para niños
