As the seemingly omniscient host of the long-running quiz show
Jeopardy!, this Canada-born personality has drawn both admiration and ire. Although his detractors dub him pretentious and robotic, his fans love his consistently mild-mannered demeanor. The fact that he has appeared as himself (or some version thereof) in a number of projects, including
Wrestlemania and the first
Charlie's Angels movie,
seems to imply that Trebek actually doesn't take himself that seriously. After graduating from college with a philosophy degree, Trebek became a TV and radio news correspondent in his homeland. He segued to hosting in the '60s and took his first Stateside gig on
The Wizard of Odds in 1973. Myriad game-show gigs followed, but
Jeopardy! made him a star. During his tenure, he hosted an array of other shows and specials, including (for a brief period) three game shows —
Jeopardy!,
Classic Concentration and
To Tell the Truth — simultaneously. Except for shaving off his moustache in 2001, neither Trebek nor his signature series have changed much over the years, which may just be the key to the series' — and the man's — success.
Alex Trebek Fast Facts:
- Once considered becoming a priest but changed his mind after spending a summer at a Trappist monastery.
- Came up with the idea of including several separate tournaments for contestants on Jeopardy!, including teens, seniors, celebrities and college students.
- Has done more than 10 USO tours and won the Bob Hope Entertainment Award for his efforts in 1998.
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the California Broadcasting Association's Hall of Fame.
- Has won two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host (1989, 2003).
- Alex Trebek Relationships:
- Elaine Callei - Ex-wife
- Emily Trebek - Daughter
- George Edward Trebek - Father
- Jean Currivan Trebek - Wife
- Lucille Lagace - Mother
- Matthew Trebek - Son
- College:
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (BS in Philosophy, 1961)
