Alex Trebek (1940–2020,) fully George Alexander Trebek, was a Canadian-born American television personality and game show host. He is best known as the host of the trivia series Jeopardy! (1984–2020.)
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Trebek studied philosophy at the University of Ottawa, working part-time at Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio to help fund his education. After graduation, he worked as regional news, weather, and sports announcer at the CBC in Ottawa.
Trebek then shifted to Toronto and worked as a nationwide staff announcer. He started hosting various programs and special events, including Music Hop (1963–64) and Reach for the Top (1966–73.)
Moving to America in 1973, Trebek hosted the NBC game show The Wizard of Odds (1973–74.) Double Dare (1976–77,) The $128,000 Question (1977–78,) and NBC’s The New High Rollers (1979–80.) In 1984 Trebek started hosting Jeopardy!, a trivia game show that had been syndicated throughout North America since 1964. Over the next 36 years, Trebek hosted more than 8,000 episodes. He holds the Guinness World Record for the “most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter.”
Trebek also appeared in numerous other television series, in which he usually played himself. His memoir is The Answer Is: Reflections on My Life (2020.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Alex Trebek
It’s very important in life to know when to shut up. You should not be afraid of silence.
—Alex Trebek
Topics: Silence
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Art Linkletter Canadian-born American Radio Personality
Phyllis George American Sportscaster
Heywood Hale Broun American Journalist
Gordie Howe Canadian Hockey Player
Howard Cosell American Journalist
John Kenneth Galbraith American Economist
Mary Pickford American-Canadian Film Actress
Dennis Potter English Dramatist
Clifton Fadiman American Intellectual
Bill Cosby American Actor