History of Alex Trebek in Timeline

Alex Trebek was a Canadian-American television personality best known for hosting the game show "Jeopardy!" for 37 seasons, from 1984 until his death in 2020. He was renowned for his warm demeanor, sharp wit, and calm stage presence. Trebek also hosted several other game shows throughout his career, including "The Wizard of Odds," "Double Dare," and "Classic Concentration." His enduring popularity made him a recognizable figure in popular culture, with numerous cameos in films and television series.

April 14, 1921: Birth of Lucille Lagacé

Alex Trebek's mother, Lucille Marie Lagacé, was born on April 14, 1921.

July 22, 1940: Birth of Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on July 22, 1940.

1961: Career Start at CBC

Alex Trebek began his broadcasting career in 1961, working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in various roles.

1961: Graduation from the University of Ottawa

Alex Trebek graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in philosophy in 1961.

1963: Host of "Music Hop"

Alex Trebek's first hosting job was on a Canadian music program called "Music Hop" in 1963.

1966: Host of "Reach for the Top"

In 1966, Alex Trebek hosted a high school quiz show called "Reach for the Top".

1967: CBC Host for Classical Music Programs

From 1967 to 1970, Trebek hosted various programs for the CBC, including introducing classical music performances.

April 1, 1969: Host of "Strategy"

Alex Trebek started hosting the weekday afternoon game show "Strategy" on April 1, 1969.

1970: End of Hosting for CBC's Classical Music Programs

Alex Trebek's role as host for CBC's classical music programs ended in 1970.

1971: Shortlisted for "Hockey Night in Canada" Host

Alex Trebek was shortlisted to host "Hockey Night in Canada" in 1971 but was ultimately not selected.

1971: Host of "I'm Here Til 9"

From 1971 to 1972, Alex Trebek hosted the local morning drive radio show "I'm Here Til 9" on CBC Toronto.

1972: End of "I'm Here Til 9"

Alex Trebek's time hosting "I'm Here Til 9" on CBC Toronto concluded in 1972.

1973: Move to the United States

Alex Trebek moved to the United States in 1973 to host the game show "The Wizard of Odds" for NBC.

1974: Host of "High Rollers"

Alex Trebek began hosting the game show "High Rollers" on NBC in 1974.

1974: Trebek Marries Elaine Callei

Alex Trebek married broadcaster Elaine Callei in 1974.

1975: Syndicated Season of "High Rollers" and Host of "Double Dare"

A syndicated season of "High Rollers", hosted by Alex Trebek, aired in 1975. That same year, he also hosted the short-lived CBS game show "Double Dare".

1975: Appearance on "The Magnificent Marble Machine"

Alex Trebek appeared as a celebrity teammate on the NBC game show "The Magnificent Marble Machine" in 1975.

1976: Contestant on "Celebrity Bowling"

Alex Trebek appeared as a contestant on "Celebrity Bowling" in 1976, winning his match alongside teammate Jim McKrell.

1978: Bilingual "Reach for the Top"

Alex Trebek's fluency in French and English was showcased in a special bilingual edition of "Reach for the Top" and its Radio-Canada equivalent, "Génies en herbe", in 1978.

1978: Appearance on "To Say the Least"

In 1978, Alex Trebek appeared on the Tom Kennedy-hosted NBC word game "To Say the Least".

1978: Concurrent Hosting of "High Rollers" and "The $128,000 Question"

In 1978, Alex Trebek hosted both "High Rollers" in the United States and "The $128,000 Question" in Canada.

1978: Second Incarnation of "High Rollers"

The second incarnation of the game show "High Rollers", hosted by Alex Trebek, premiered on NBC in 1978.

1980: Cancellation of "High Rollers"

After its cancellation in 1980, Alex Trebek went on to host other game shows like "Battlestars" and "Pitfall".

1980: Winner on "Card Sharks"

In 1980, Alex Trebek participated in and won a week-long "Card Sharks" tournament against other game show hosts.

September 1981: Host of "Pitfall"

Alex Trebek began hosting the syndicated game show "Pitfall" in September 1981.

October 1981: Premiere of "Battlestars"

The game show "Battlestars", hosted by Alex Trebek, premiered on NBC in October 1981.

1981: Trebek and Callei Divorce

Alex Trebek and Elaine Callei divorced in 1981.

April 1982: Cancellation of "Battlestars"

NBC's game show "Battlestars", hosted by Alex Trebek, was cancelled in April 1982 after six months.

1984: Start of "Jeopardy!" Hosting Role

Alex Trebek became the host of "Jeopardy!" in 1984 and remained in that role until his death in 2020.

1984: Jeopardy! Revival

Alex Trebek began hosting the revival of "Jeopardy!" in 1984.

1986: Nickelodeon's "Double Dare"

Nickelodeon premiered a new game show called "Double Dare" in 1986, unrelated to the show Alex Trebek hosted for CBS in 1975.

1987: Trebek Returns to Daytime TV with "Classic Concentration"

In 1987, while still hosting "Jeopardy!", Alex Trebek returned to daytime television as the host of NBC's "Classic Concentration".

1989: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

Alex Trebek won his first Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award for his work on "Jeopardy!" in 1989.

1990: Trebek Marries Jean Currivan

Alex Trebek married Jean Currivan, a real estate project manager, in 1990.

1990: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

Alex Trebek received his second consecutive Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award in 1990.

February 4, 1991: Trebek Makes Broadcast History

Alex Trebek made broadcast history on February 4, 1991, by becoming the first person to host three American game shows simultaneously: "Jeopardy!", "Classic Concentration," and "To Tell the Truth".

May 31, 1991: End of Trebek's Run on "To Tell the Truth"

May 31, 1991, marked the end of Alex Trebek's run as host of the game show "To Tell the Truth".

September 20, 1991: End of "Classic Concentration" First-Run Episodes

On September 20, 1991, the game show "Classic Concentration," hosted by Alex Trebek, aired its final first-run episode, although repeats continued until 1993.

1993: End of "Classic Concentration" Repeats

NBC continued to air repeats of the game show "Classic Concentration," hosted by Alex Trebek, until 1993.

1994: Host of "Pillsbury Bake-Off"

Alex Trebek returned to CBS in 1994 to host the "Pillsbury Bake-Off" until 1998.

1994: Trebek Returns to CBS to Host Pillsbury Bake-Off

In 1994, Alex Trebek returned to CBS, where he had previously hosted "Double Dare," to host the Pillsbury Bake-Off.

August 1995: Trebek Fills in on "Good Morning America"

In August 1995, Alex Trebek briefly returned to his broadcast news roots, filling in for Charles Gibson on "Good Morning America" for a week.

1995: Trebek and "Jeopardy!" Team Begin Involvement with the USO

In 1995, Alex Trebek and the "Jeopardy!" crew began collaborating with the United Service Organizations (USO), making appearances on military bases to boost morale and search for contestants.

April 12, 1996: Trebek Appears in "The X-Files"

Alex Trebek made a guest appearance on the television show "The X-Files" in the episode "Jose Chung's From Outer Space," which aired on April 12, 1996, playing a "Man in Black".

1996: Trebek Runs Olympic Torch

Alex Trebek participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay, carrying the torch through a leg of its journey to Atlanta, Florida.

1997: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ottawa

Alex Trebek received an honorary Doctor of the University (D.Univ) degree from the University of Ottawa in 1997.

1997: Trebek and Sajak Trade Hosting Duties for April Fools' Day

On April Fools' Day in 1997, Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak, host of "Wheel of Fortune," traded places, with Trebek hosting "Wheel" and Sajak hosting "Jeopardy!".

1998: U.S. Citizenship

Alex Trebek became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998.

1998: Trebek Becomes US Citizen

Alex Trebek became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1998.

1998: End of Trebek's Run on Pillsbury Bake-Off

Alex Trebek's time as host of the Pillsbury Bake-Off concluded in 1998.

1998: End of Hosting "Pillsbury Bake-Off"

Alex Trebek's time hosting the "Pillsbury Bake-Off" on CBS concluded in 1998.

1998: Trebek Donates Land and Receives Access Award

In 1998, Alex Trebek donated a significant portion of land to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He was also recognized with an Access Award from the American Foundation for the Blind for his commitment to inclusivity on "Jeopardy!".

2003: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

In 2003, Alex Trebek won his third Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award for his role on "Jeopardy!".

January 30, 2004: Trebek in Car Accident

On January 30, 2004, Alex Trebek was involved in a single-car accident in Templeton, California, after falling asleep at the wheel. He escaped major injury and returned to work on "Jeopardy!" a few days later.

2005: Trebek Appears on "Celebrity Poker Showdown"

In 2005, Alex Trebek appeared as a contestant on the television show "Celebrity Poker Showdown", finishing second in his qualifying game.

2006: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

Alex Trebek was honored with his fourth Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award in 2006 for his work on "Jeopardy!".

December 10, 2007: Trebek Experiences Minor Heart Attack

Alex Trebek suffered a minor heart attack at his home on December 10, 2007, but returned to work as scheduled in January 2008.

January 2008: Trebek Returns to Work After Heart Attack

Alex Trebek returned to work in January 2008 after recovering from a minor heart attack he had experienced in December 2007.

2008: Trebek Appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Alex Trebek made a guest appearance on the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in 2008.

2008: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

Alex Trebek received his fifth Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award in 2008 for his iconic role as the host of "Jeopardy!".

2008: Trebek Sells Creston Farms

Alex Trebek sold his 700-acre ranch, Creston Farms, in Paso Robles, California, in 2008. The property, where he bred and trained thoroughbred horses, is now an event center called Windfall Farms.

November 4, 2010: Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Gold Medal

On November 4, 2010, Alex Trebek was honored with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Gold Medal for his contributions to geographic education.

July 26, 2011: Trebek Injures Achilles Tendon

On July 26, 2011, Alex Trebek injured his Achilles tendon while pursuing a burglar who had entered his San Francisco hotel room.

2011: Trebek Appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Again

Alex Trebek made another guest appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in 2011.

2011: Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award & Honorary Doctorate

In 2011, Alex Trebek received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards and an Honorary Doctorate from Fordham University.

June 23, 2012: Trebek Experiences Another Mild Heart Attack

Alex Trebek experienced another mild heart attack on June 23, 2012, but was able to resume working the following month.

2013: Steps Down as Host of National Geographic Bee

In 2013, Alex Trebek stepped down as the host of the National Geographic Bee after 25 years.

June 13, 2014: Trebek Receives Guinness World Record

On June 13, 2014, Guinness World Records presented Alex Trebek with the record for most episodes of a game show hosted, having hosted 6,829 episodes of "Jeopardy!" at that point.

May 4, 2015: University of Ottawa Alumni Hall Naming

On May 4, 2015, the University of Ottawa named their alumni hall after Alex Trebek, recognizing his contributions as an alumnus and benefactor.

May 2016: Key to the City of Ottawa

In May 2016, Alex Trebek received the Key to the City of Ottawa, a significant honor recognizing his achievements and contributions.

2016: Honorary President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Alex Trebek became the Honorary President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2016, a testament to his dedication to geographical literacy.

2016: Donates $5 Million to University of Ottawa for Dialogue Forum

In 2016, Alex Trebek made a significant donation to the University of Ottawa, establishing the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue to foster diverse perspectives among students.

2016: Death of Lucille Lagacé

Lucille Marie Lagacé, Alex Trebek's mother, passed away in 2016.

June 30, 2017: Officer of the Order of Canada

On June 30, 2017, Alex Trebek was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for his impactful television career and dedication to promoting learning, particularly geographical literacy.

December 15, 2017: Trebek Hospitalized for Subdural Hematoma

On December 15, 2017, Alex Trebek was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center due to complications, including a subdural hematoma, from a fall he had suffered in October.

2017: Funds the Alex Trebek Leadership Award at the University of Ottawa

In 2017, he established the Alex Trebek Leadership Award at the University of Ottawa, an annual award recognizing academic excellence and community leadership.

January 4, 2018: "Jeopardy!" Announces Trebek's Injury

The official "Jeopardy!" Twitter account confirmed on January 4, 2018, that Alex Trebek had been experiencing health issues following a fall.

January 2018: Trebek Returns to "Jeopardy!" After Medical Leave

Alex Trebek returned to his regular hosting duties on "Jeopardy!" in mid-January 2018 after a brief medical leave.

June 24, 2018: Trebek Returns to "To Tell the Truth" as Panelist

Alex Trebek returned to the game show "To Tell the Truth" on June 24, 2018, this time as a panelist on the ABC revival.

October 1, 2018: Trebek Moderates Pennsylvania Governor's Debate

On October 1, 2018, Alex Trebek moderated the only debate in the Pennsylvania governor's race between Tom Wolf and Scott Wagner. His performance, marked by self-referencing and limited candidate speaking time, drew criticism and an apology from Trebek.

October 2018: Trebek Signs New Contract with "Jeopardy!"

In October 2018, Alex Trebek signed a new contract to continue hosting "Jeopardy!" through 2022.

2018: Opening of the RCGS Headquarters

In 2018, Alex Trebek, as the Honorary President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, attended the opening of their new headquarters.

2018: Trebek Shares Political Views

In a 2018 interview, Alex Trebek described his political views as moderate and independent, leaning towards libertarianism. He also stated his belief in God and his Catholic upbringing.

January 2019: Trebek Discusses His Age and "Jeopardy!" Schedule

In January 2019, Alex Trebek acknowledged that he was slowing down with age but felt the "Jeopardy!" taping schedule was still manageable.

March 6, 2019: Alex Trebek Announces Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

On March 6, 2019, Alex Trebek publicly announced his stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Despite the poor prognosis, he expressed determination to fight the disease and continue hosting "Jeopardy!" He also shared his intent to undergo aggressive treatment.

May 2019: Positive Response to Cancer Treatment

In May 2019, Alex Trebek provided a positive update on his cancer treatment, sharing that he was responding well, with tumors shrinking significantly. He attributed the positive results in part to the support of his fans.

June 28, 2019: Americanism Award

The Daughters of the American Revolution bestowed the 2019 Americanism Award upon Alex Trebek on June 28, 2019.

August 2019: Resumes Taping "Jeopardy!" After Chemotherapy

Alex Trebek resumed taping "Jeopardy!" in August 2019 after completing a round of chemotherapy treatments.

October 4, 2019: Trebek Shares Thoughts on Mortality and Treatment Challenges

On October 4, 2019, in an interview, Alex Trebek openly discussed his perspective on death, stating he was not afraid. He also revealed that side effects from chemotherapy, particularly mouth sores, were impacting his ability to speak.

December 2019: Exploring Experimental Treatments and Prepares Farewell Message

In December 2019, Alex Trebek shared that he was considering experimental treatments for his cancer and had already prepared an on-air farewell message.

December 2019: Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television's Icon Award

In December 2019, it was announced that Alex Trebek had won the prestigious Icon Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

2019: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

Alex Trebek was awarded his sixth Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award for "Jeopardy!" in 2019.

January 2, 2020: ABC Airs Trebek Special

On January 2, 2020, ABC aired a special about Alex Trebek and "Jeopardy!", featuring an interview with Michael Strahan and produced in conjunction with "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time".

January 7, 2020: Fordham Founder's Award

Alex Trebek and his wife, Jean, were honored with the Fordham Founder's Award at Fordham University on January 7, 2020.

January 2020: Trebek Hosts "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time"

Alex Trebek hosted "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time," a primetime special event on ABC in January 2020, featuring top contestants Brad Rutter, Ken Jennings, and James Holzhauer.

March 2020: Donates to Los Angeles Homeless Shelter

In March 2020, Alex Trebek donated $100,000 to the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter in Los Angeles.

March 2020: Marks One Year of Cancer Treatment, Pandemic Impacts "Jeopardy!"

In March 2020, Alex Trebek marked a year since his cancer diagnosis, surpassing the initial prognosis. He expressed determination to continue treatment. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "Jeopardy!" implemented safety measures, initially taping without a live audience before suspending production.

July 16, 2020: Positive Update on Cancer Treatment and Anticipation for "Jeopardy!" Taping

On July 16, 2020, Alex Trebek shared a positive update on his cancer treatment, noting that despite fatigue, the chemotherapy was showing positive results. He also expressed eagerness to resume taping "Jeopardy!".

July 21, 2020: Releases Memoir: "The Answer Is...: Reflections on My Life"

Alex Trebek's memoir, "The Answer Is...: Reflections on My Life," was published on July 21, 2020.

October 6, 2020: Trebek Makes Cameo in NHL Draft

Alex Trebek made a cameo appearance in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on October 6, 2020, announcing the Ottawa Senators' third-overall pick in the style of a "Jeopardy!" question.

October 2020: Trebek's Contributions to the University of Ottawa Total $10 Million

By October 2020, Alex Trebek's contributions to the University of Ottawa had reached $10 million.

October 29, 2020: Tapes Final "Jeopardy!" Episode

Alex Trebek taped his final episode of "Jeopardy!" on October 29, 2020, shortly before his passing.

November 8, 2020: Death of Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek passed away on November 8, 2020, after a battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer.

November 9, 2020: "Jeopardy!" Airs Tribute to Alex Trebek

The November 9, 2020, episode of "Jeopardy!" featured a tribute to Alex Trebek, delivered by then-executive producer Mike Richards.

November 23, 2020: Postponement of Final "Jeopardy!" Episodes

On November 23, 2020, Sony announced that the final episodes of "Jeopardy!" hosted by Alex Trebek would be postponed to January 2021.

2020: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

Alex Trebek received a posthumous Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award for his work on "Jeopardy!" in 2020.

2020: Trebek Hints at Possible Retirement

During a 2018 interview, Alex Trebek suggested there was a 50/50 chance he might retire from "Jeopardy!" in 2020, but would make a decision based on his performance and well-being.

2020: Reason for Not Hosting "Hockey Night in Canada" Revealed

In 2020, it was revealed that Alex Trebek was not chosen to host "Hockey Night in Canada" in 1971 because the executives disliked his mustache.

2020: Cancellation of the 8th Canadian Screen Awards

The 8th Canadian Screen Awards, where Alex Trebek was set to receive the Icon Award, was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 8, 2021: Trebek's Final "Jeopardy!" Episode Airs

Alex Trebek's final episode of "Jeopardy!" aired on January 8, 2021, concluding with a heartfelt tribute.

January 2021: Posthumous Icon Award Presentation

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television released Alex Trebek's acceptance speech for his Icon Award in January 2021, coinciding with the broadcast of his final "Jeopardy!" episode.

February 2021: Donation to The Doe Fund

In February 2021, Alex Trebek's son, Matthew, donated his father's wardrobe to The Doe Fund, fulfilling a wish Trebek made on his last day of taping "Jeopardy!".

July 2021: The Trebek Initiative

In July 2021, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the National Geographical Society launched The Trebek Initiative, a grant program to support emerging explorers, scientists, educators, and photographers in Canada. This initiative honors Alex Trebek's legacy and commitment to geographical exploration and education.

August 19, 2021: "Jeopardy!" Stage Renamed in Honor of Alex Trebek

On August 19, 2021, the "Jeopardy!" stage was officially renamed "The Alex Trebek Stage" in a dedication ceremony attended by his family.

2021: Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award

Alex Trebek won his eighth and final Outstanding Game Show Host Emmy Award posthumously in 2021.

2021: Airing of Final "Jeopardy!" Episodes

The final episodes of "Jeopardy!" hosted by Alex Trebek aired in January 2021.

April 2022: Trebek's Estate Liquidated

In April 2022, Alex Trebek's estate was liquidated in an estate sale.

July 27, 2022: Announcement of Permanent Jeopardy! Hosts

On July 27, 2022, Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings were announced as the permanent hosts of Jeopardy!, succeeding Alex Trebek. This followed a series of guest hosts and the brief, controversial tenure of Mike Richards.

September 29, 2022: Induction into the "Jeopardy!" Hall of Fame

On September 29, 2022, Alex Trebek was posthumously inducted into the inaugural class of the "Jeopardy!" Hall of Fame. His widow, Jean, accepted the award on his behalf.