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Beloved Canadian legendary game show host of Jeopardy Alex Trebek passes away after losing his battle to cancer

Ish Sharma Darpan, 09 Nov, 2020 05:33 AM
  • Beloved Canadian legendary game show host of Jeopardy Alex Trebek passes away after losing his battle to cancer

The popular and much loved game show host of Jeopardy Alex Trebek who was the face of Jeopardy for over 3 decades is no more after losing his battle to stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He announced in Spring of 2019 of his diagnosis on the show. He began hosting the game show in 1984. He was well liked by viewers and fans alike for his sense of humour, wit, and personable approach with the contestants.

Jeopardy took to Twitter to break news of his demise. 

It wasn't just Jeopardy but Sony Pictures also shared a Twitter post in relation to the Canadian icon's passing away.

A contestant on his show Bart Thakur shed a tear as it was a surreal moment for him to see Trebek in person and he won the game show. He also credited Trebek for teaching him English. 

His chemo treatments started right after his diagnosis but he made no plans to retire and kept onwards with hosting his game show with even more vigor and vitality than ever. Trebek powered through for a full year in spite of his physical suffering which he described in his own words as  "massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on" -- but he said he had a great realization that giving up on life would be a betrayal to his wife, to the divine, and other cancer patients.

Contestants on 'Greatest of All Time' tournaments of the show such as Ken Jennings, who won that 'G.O.A.T.' shared a few tweets in relation to Trebek's passing away. 

Another well liked contestant on the GOAT James Holzhauer shared a video message and along with other heartfelt messages over Twitter during his time spent with the legend. 

The likes of celebrities such as William Shatner, Mindy Kaling, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Neil deGrasse Tyson all shared their condolences and warm messages on his death via social media. Even NASA took to Twitter and shared a post on his passing away. 

"Jeopardy!" says Trebek hosted episodes that will air until Christmas Day.  His last day of recording in the studio was October 29. After his initial diagnosis, it was still a rollercoaster for Trebek. Even after his diagnosis he maintained his vigor, vitality, and charisma which were visible during his performance.

The game show respected Trebek immensely and ever seeked a replacement -- who was signed to host the show through 2022 -- joked, "Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host 'Jeopardy!' for three more years!" His commitment to the game show was a two-way street. When Trebek took a brief medical leave in 2018 to have surgery for blood clots on his brain after a brutal fall, his health deteriorated and Trebek also suffered mild heart attacks in 2007 and 2012.

Trebek began his career with the well respected broadcaster CBC in 1961 announcing the news, and quickly gained fame after hosting the high school quiz show, "Reach for the Top."He also won the hearts of the US listeners  in 1973 when he hosted a new NBC show called "The Wizard of Odds."  That was his big break that gave him the kick start to host a variety of game shows ... including "High Rollers" with his trademark curly hair and classic 'stache and a brief fill-in gig for Chuck Woolery on "Wheel of Fortune."Then, when the "Jeopardy!" gig -- a revival of the old show -- came up, Trebek got the call. There was no stopping for him now. The show quickly garnered a lot of fame and publicity with Trebek at the helm ... dominating the evening game show biz along with 'Wheel.' Trebek-- winner of 6 Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding game show host -- set a Guinness World record in June 2014 for most episodes (6,829) of a game show hosted.

Despite the show's massive success Trebek never saw himself as a celeb or the "star" of the show. L.A. Kings announcer Alex Faust and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates are names that have been put forward even though Jeopardy has stated that it is not looking for a host. 

Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Ontario, Canada. He got a BA in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa but kept his eye on the dream  about a career on TV. He became a  U.S. citizen in 1998, but not before running the Olympic Torch in 1996 as it made its way to Atlanta. Trebek who was bestowed with the coveted Order of Canada in 2017 for his iconic achievements. He also was a philanthropist as he donated huge amounts of money to World Vision. He invested a lot in huge acres of land for wealth purposes. 

His first marriage was to Elaine Kares that took place in 1974 and they divorced after 10 years. He then tied the knot again in 1990 ... this time to Jean Currivan, with whom he had 2 children. "I will miss you Alex. I will take that for $2000 dollars".  He was 80 years old. 

Photo courtesy of Instagram. 

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