History of Pat Sajak in Timeline
Patrick Sajak is an American television personality known for hosting game shows. He was born and raised in Chicago and started his career in radio broadcasting. Notably, he served as a disc jockey for the American Forces Vietnam Network during the Vietnam War.
October 26, 1946: Birth of Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 26, 1946.
1964: Pat Sajak Graduates High School
Pat Sajak graduated from Farragut High School in 1964.
1968: Pat Sajak Joins the US Army
Pat Sajak joined the US Army in 1968.
1969: Pat Sajak's Broadcast Mishap
While serving as a disc jockey on Armed Forces Radio, Pat Sajak accidentally cut off President Richard Nixon's 1969 Christmas broadcast to the troops.
1972: Bob Barker Begins Hosting 'The Price is Right'
This entry is about Pat Sajak. Bob Barker began hosting 'The Price is Right' in 1972.
1977: Pat Sajak Becomes Weather Reporter for KNBC-TV
In 1977, Pat Sajak became a full-time weather reporter for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles.
1977: Sajak's Weather Reports Inspire Kenny Rogers Hit
While working as a meteorologist in the mid-1970s, Pat Sajak's comments about "daytime highs and nighttime lows" inspired Ben Peters to write "Daytime Friends," which became a number one hit for Kenny Rogers in 1977.
1980: Pat Sajak Hosts Two Game Show Pilots
Pat Sajak hosted two game show pilots in 1980: 'Press Your Luck' and 'Puzzlers'.
1981: Pat Sajak Begins Hosting Wheel of Fortune
In 1981, Pat Sajak became the host of the popular game show 'Wheel of Fortune'.
1981: Merv Griffin Offers Pat Sajak 'Wheel of Fortune' Hosting Role
Merv Griffin asked Pat Sajak to host 'Wheel of Fortune' in 1981, but the president of NBC initially rejected the idea.
1981: Pat Sajak Appears on 'Password Plus'
Pat Sajak appeared on the game show 'Password Plus' in 1981.
1982: Pat Sajak Appears in 'Airplane II: The Sequel'
Pat Sajak had a small role as a newscaster in the 1982 comedy film 'Airplane II: The Sequel'.
1983: Pat Sajak Begins Hosting Both Daytime and Syndicated 'Wheel of Fortune'
From 1983 to 1989, Pat Sajak hosted both the daytime and syndicated evening versions of 'Wheel of Fortune'.
1983: Pat Sajak Appears in 'Days of Our Lives'
Pat Sajak portrayed Kevin Hathaway in the NBC daytime soap opera 'Days of Our Lives' in 1983.
1984: Pat Sajak Appears on 'Super Password'
Pat Sajak appeared on the game show 'Super Password' several times between 1984 and 1989.
1986: Sajak and White Guest Star on "227"
Pat Sajak and Vanna White appeared as themselves on an episode of the NBC sitcom "227" in 1986.
January 9, 1989: Pat Sajak's Late-Night Talk Show Premieres
Pat Sajak's late-night talk show premiered on CBS on January 9, 1989.
January 1989: Pat Sajak's Late-Night Talk Show Premieres
Pat Sajak's late-night talk show premiered on CBS in January 1989.
1989: Pat Sajak Leaves Daytime 'Wheel of Fortune'
Pat Sajak left the daytime version of 'Wheel of Fortune' in 1989.
1989: Pat Sajak Marries Lesly Brown
Pat Sajak married Lesly Brown in 1989.
1989: Pat Sajak's Late-Night Talk Show Premieres
Pat Sajak's late-night talk show premiered on CBS in 1989.
April 13, 1990: Pat Sajak's Late-Night Talk Show Ends
Pat Sajak's late-night talk show on CBS ended on April 13, 1990.
September 22, 1990: Birth of Pat Sajak's Son, Patrick
Patrick Michael James Sajak, Pat Sajak's son, was born on September 22, 1990.
1990: Pat Sajak's Late-Night Talk Show Ends
Pat Sajak's late-night talk show on CBS ended in 1990.
November 7, 1992: Sajak Guest Stars on "The Commish"
On November 7, 1992, Pat Sajak appeared as psychologist Brian Brandon in an episode of the TV show "The Commish" titled "The Two Faces of Ed."
1994: Pat Sajak Appears in 'Rugrats'
Pat Sajak appeared as himself on the children's cartoon show 'Rugrats' in 1994.
January 5, 1995: Birth of Pat Sajak's Daughter, Maggie
Maggie Marie Sajak, Pat Sajak's daughter, was born on January 5, 1995.
1997: Pat Sajak and Vanna White on 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune'
For April Fool's Day in 1997, Pat Sajak and Vanna White appeared as contestants on 'Wheel of Fortune' (hosted by Alex Trebek), and Sajak hosted an episode of 'Jeopardy!'.
1998: Sajak Purchases Maryland Radio Station WNAV
Pat Sajak bought Maryland-based AM radio station WNAV in Annapolis in 1998.
2001: Pat Sajak Appears in 'The King of Queens'
Pat Sajak appeared as himself in the episode "Inner Tube" on the sitcom 'The King of Queens' in 2001.
2002: Pat Sajak Begins Hosting 'The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour'
Pat Sajak began hosting the syndicated weekly radio sports talk show 'The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour' in 2002.
2003: Pat Sajak Hosts 'Pat Sajak Weekend' on Fox News
Pat Sajak hosted 'Pat Sajak Weekend' on Fox News in 2003.
2005: Sajak Invests in Golden Baseball League
Pat Sajak became an investor in the Golden Baseball League, an independent professional baseball league, in 2005.
2006: 'The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour' Ends
'The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour' ended in 2006 due to scheduling conflicts.
2007: Pat Sajak Debuts "Lucky Letters" Puzzle Game
Pat Sajak's first puzzle game, "Lucky Letters", debuted in 2007.
2007: Bob Barker Retires from 'The Price is Right'
This entry is about Pat Sajak. Bob Barker retired from hosting 'The Price is Right' in 2007.
2010: Pat Sajak Appears in April Fool's 'Jeopardy!' Episode
Pat Sajak appeared at the beginning of a 2010 April Fool's episode of 'Jeopardy!' along with Jeff Probst and Neil Patrick Harris.
2010: Pat Sajak Begins Writing for National Review Online
Pat Sajak began writing for the National Review Online in 2010.
March 2012: Sajak Reveals Past Baseball Broadcasting Experience
During a guest appearance at a Baltimore Orioles-Boston Red Sox spring training game in March 2012, Pat Sajak shared that he had called some baseball games previously.
2017: Sajak Narrates Disney's Candlelight Processional
Pat Sajak appeared as a celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional in 2017.
2018: Sajak Narrates Disney's Candlelight Processional
Pat Sajak appeared as a celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional in 2018.
2018: Pat Sajak's 36th Season of 'Wheel of Fortune'
Pat Sajak returned for his 36th season of hosting 'Wheel of Fortune' in 2018-2019.
2018: Sajak Makes On-Ice Appearance at Stanley Cup Finals
Pat Sajak, an avid fan of the Washington Capitals, appeared on the ice before game three of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals.
March 28, 2019: Pat Sajak's Guinness World Record Episode Taping
The episode of 'Wheel of Fortune' where Pat Sajak was officially honored by Guinness World Records for the longest-running host of any game show was taped on March 28, 2019.
May 8, 2019: Pat Sajak's Guinness World Record Episode Airs
The episode of 'Wheel of Fortune' where Pat Sajak was officially honored by Guinness World Records for the longest-running host of any game show aired on May 8, 2019.
November 8, 2019: Sajak Undergoes Emergency Intestinal Surgery
Pat Sajak underwent emergency surgery on November 8, 2019, to address an intestinal blockage. Vanna White and Sajak's daughter, Maggie, filled in for him during his recovery.
December 5, 2019: Sajak Returns to Work After Surgery
Pat Sajak returned to work on December 5, 2019, after recovering from emergency intestinal surgery.
2019: Sajak Narrates Disney's Candlelight Processional
Pat Sajak appeared as a celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional in 2019.
2019: Guinness World Record for Pat Sajak
Pat Sajak was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2019 for having the longest-serving career as a game show host for the same show ('Wheel of Fortune').
2019: Sajak Becomes Chair of Hillsdale College Board of Trustees
In 2019, Pat Sajak became the chair of the Hillsdale College board of trustees after serving as vice-chair for 15 years.
2020: Pat Sajak Becomes Consulting Producer of 'Wheel of Fortune'
Pat Sajak has been credited as a Consulting Producer of 'Wheel of Fortune' since the start of Season 39 in 2020.
September 2021: Sajak and White Extend "Wheel of Fortune" Contracts
In September 2021, Pat Sajak and Vanna White signed on to continue hosting "Wheel of Fortune" through the 2023-24 season.
2021: Pat Sajak and Vanna White Begin Hosting 'Primetime Celebrity Wheel of Fortune'
Pat Sajak and Vanna White began hosting 'Primetime Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' on ABC in 2021.
2021: Pat Sajak Becomes Consulting Producer of 'Wheel of Fortune'
Pat Sajak became a Consulting Producer of 'Wheel of Fortune' in 2021.
2021: Sajak Sells Maryland Radio Station WNAV
Pat Sajak ended his ownership of Maryland-based AM radio station WNAV in Annapolis at the end of 2021.
2021: Pat Sajak's Son Graduates from Medical School
Pat Sajak's son, Patrick, earned his medical degree in 2021.
June 2023: Sajak Announces Retirement from "Wheel of Fortune"
Pat Sajak announced his retirement as host of "Wheel of Fortune" in June 2023, set for after the show's 41st season in 2024.
2024: Sajak to Depart "Wheel of Fortune", Ryan Seacrest Named Successor
Pat Sajak's retirement as host of "Wheel of Fortune" is set to take place in 2024, with Ryan Seacrest announced as his replacement.