Pat Sajak and Vanna White are remembering how Alex Trebek impacted their lives with special tributes on social media.
- We don't deserve Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak! Let's be real, these two men are probably the most beloved game show hosts of all time. Trebek has been hosting Jeopardy since 1984 and Sajak has been.
- 10 hours ago RELATED VIDEO: Wheel of Fortune Host Pat Sajak Says 'No One Was Better' Than the Late Alex Trebek. When the final episode aired, Nicky wrote 'Jeopardy!
The two are the long running hosts of Wheel of Fortune, which was taped in the studio right next door to Jeopardy!'s, and the two game shows have aired back to back on cable networks for years.
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak has recently shared his thoughts on the late Alex Trebek. Sajack spoke highly of the Jeopardy! Host during a recent interview with PEOPLE (the TV Show!) earlier this week. Trebek passed away on November 8, 2020. “No one admires what he accomplished more than I do,” Sajak told People Show.
'Alex Trebek’s courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him,' Pat wrote in his tribute on Twitter. 'A tremendous loss for his family, friends, co-workers and countless viewers.'
He added that he 'was honored to be a friend and a part of his professional family for all these years. A very sad day.'
Vanna headed to Instagram for her tribute, sharing a throwback picture of the two on the Wheel of Fortune set together.
'I will cherish the many memories I have shared with Alex Trebek that date back well before either of our careers took off,' she wrote. 'I will always be in awe of the way he faced the battle he fought so valiantly, and I’m devastated to lose my longtime friend.'
Vanna added, 'My heart is with his family, friends, co-workers and fans. There will never be another Alex Trebek and he will truly be missed.'
Alex Trebek’s courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him. A tremendous loss for his family, friends, co-workers and countless viewers. I was honored to be a friend and a part of his professional family for all these years. A very sad day.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) November 8, 2020
Alex sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep over the weekend. Many other celebs have shared tributes to the long-running host too...
Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak are both famous for the same thing: Being the longtime hosts of two of the most popular game shows on television. Trebek first popped up on Jeopardy! in 1984 and over the years 'has become one of television's most enduring and iconic figures, engaging millions of viewers worldwide with his impeccable delivery of 'answers and questions,' according to the show's website.
As for Sajak, History notes that '[i]n 1981, Wheel of Fortune's creator, Merv Griffin (who also developed ... Jeopardy!, which debuted in 1964) tapped Sajak to take over hosting duties from Chuck Woolery for a network daytime version of Wheel.' In the time since Trebek and Sajak first took on their hosting duties, the two have earned countless honors (like the many awards that both the Jeopardy! host and Wheel of Fortune host have won and been nominated for), set records, and enamored endless viewers.
Considering these two have so much in common, fans are surely curious if the two are friends or merely peers. Frankly, we're sure plenty of people would be shocked and disappointed if they turned out to be foes. So what's the truth about Trebek and Sajak's relationship?
Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak aren't exactly friends, but 'they're not enemies either'
Considering the fact that Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak are two of the most iconic game show hosts on television, you might think that they are buddies. Unfortunately, that's not exactly the case. The Week noted in April 2013 that the pair 'aren't friends,' but added that 'they're not enemies either.'
The Wheel of Fortune star explained the nature of their relationship to the outlet, saying, 'We get along fine, but we're not in the same bowling league.' Fair enough. Granted, we have to admit that we'd be thrilled if they did, indeed, lace up their bowling shoes each Thursday night to throw strikes and spares together.
Pat Sajak Alex Trebek April Fools
That being said, while they may never play casual sports together, Sajak was willing to send out a message of support when Trebek revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2019. At the time, Sajak tweeted (via USA Today) that he and his family were 'deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek's struggle with cancer.'
Pat Sajak Hosting Jeopardy
'Our hearts go out to him and his family. But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him,' Sajak continued. 'We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.'