Alex Trebek and 'Jeopardy!' — A Look Back at Longtime Host's Journey from Beginning to the Present

Alex Trebek has been hosting the syndicated game show "Jeopardy!" for over 25 years. He is contracted to host the show until 2022.

In any case, Trebek could keep hosting the show past that if both he and the network are willing, as reported by Cheat Sheet.

According to the acclaimed host, he wants to work for as long as possible. However, he realizes that in the long run his wellbeing could meddle with his capacity to carry out the responsibility.

A LONG SHOT AT SUCCESS

Trebek was introduced to "Jeopardy!" in 1983, as reported by Good Housekeeping. The first version of the show started in 1964.

In 1984, Trebek began hosting and producing "Jeopardy!" The show faced a long shot at success as it was given "absurd" time slots.

It was also pulled from several stations. Trebek and the producers were even compelled to make the questions simpler so that viewers wouldn't feel terrible.

A SUCCESSFUL SHOW

After some time however, Trebek was able to make the show his own. It was eventually granted better air times as well. "Jeopardy!" was being viewed by over 15 million people daily just a few years later.

The face of the show got attractive for several guest appearance opportunities. That includes "Cheers," "The Golden Girls," and "Seinfeld."

In March 2019, Trebek announced a stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis on his Twitter account.

PERSONAL LIFE

Throughout the years, Trebek has also made appearances in several feature films, including "Charlie's Angels" and the "Bucket List."

All through his hosting career, Trebek additionally assumed the role of husband and father. He married businesswoman, Elaine Trebek Kares.

However, Trebek and Elaine eventually called it quits in the early 1980s. Trebek then re-married Jean Currivan Trebek, a real estate project manager, in 1990.

The couple have been married now for nearly three decades. They share two children together — son Matthew and daughter Emily.

In March 2019, Trebek announced a stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis on his Twitter account, as reported by Cheat Sheet.

"I'm going to keep working and with the love and support of my family and friends — and with the help of your prayers also," Trebek said in the video, "I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease."

In January 2020, Trebek and his wife Jean gave an update on Trebek's wellbeing during an interview with "Good Morning America." Jean revealed that she'd asked Trebek to take a break from his job.

"But I know it's what feeds him. He loves doing Jeopardy! He has his own family over there," she said. "They are such a close-knit, beautiful group of people."

Since his announcement, Trebek continued to host "Jeopardy!" While he doesn't have a clue who will be his replacement as the host of the show, he knows what he wants to say during his goodbye.