History of Pat Sajak in Timeline

Pat Sajak is an American game show host, television personality, and consultant, most famous for hosting Wheel of Fortune from 1981 to 2024. He holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving career as host of the same game show. Sajak has received multiple Emmy Awards for his work on Wheel of Fortune and continues to host Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and consult on the original series.

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Full Timeline

October 26, 1946: Patrick Sajak Born

On October 26, 1946, Patrick Leonard Sajak, also known as Sajdak, was born. He is an American game show host, television personality, and creative consultant.

1964: Graduation from Farragut High School

In 1964, Pat Sajak graduated from Farragut High School.

1968: Joined U.S. Army

In 1968, Pat Sajak joined the U.S. Army and served as a disc jockey on Armed Forces Radio in Vietnam.

1969: Accidental Broadcast Cut-off

In 1969, while in the army, Pat Sajak accidentally cut off President Richard Nixon's Christmas broadcast to the troops.

1972: Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right

In 1972, Bob Barker started hosting The Price Is Right.

1977: Joins KNBC-TV

In 1977, KNBC-TV in Los Angeles hired Pat Sajak as a full-time weather reporter.

1977: "Daytime Friends" Song

In 1977, Pat Sajak's comment about "daytime highs and nighttime lows" inspired the song "Daytime Friends".

1980: Hosted Game Show Pilots

In 1980, Pat Sajak hosted two game show pilots, Press Your Luck and Puzzlers.

1981: Offered Hosting Duties on Wheel of Fortune

In 1981, Merv Griffin offered Pat Sajak the hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune.

1981: Appeared on Password Plus

In 1981, Pat Sajak appeared on Password Plus.

1981: Host of Wheel of Fortune

In 1981, Pat Sajak became the host of Wheel of Fortune.

1982: Role in Airplane II: The Sequel

In 1982, Pat Sajak had a small role as a newscaster in the comedy film Airplane II: The Sequel.

1983: Hosted Daytime and Evening Wheel of Fortune

From 1983, Pat Sajak hosted both the daytime and syndicated evening versions of Wheel of Fortune.

1983: Portrayed Kevin Hathaway on Days of Our Lives

In 1983, Pat Sajak portrayed Kevin Hathaway in the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives.

1984: Appeared on Super Password

From 1984, Pat Sajak appeared on Super Password several times.

1986: Appeared on 227

In 1986, Pat Sajak and Vanna White portrayed themselves on an episode of the NBC sitcom 227.

January 9, 1989: Premiere of Late-Night Talk Show

On January 9, 1989, Pat Sajak's late-night talk show premiered on CBS.

January 1989: Premiere of Late-Night Talk Show

In January 1989, Pat Sajak's late-night talk show on CBS premiered.

1989: Late-Night Talk Show on CBS

In 1989, Pat Sajak began hosting a late-night talk show on CBS.

1989: Continued Hosting Evening Wheel of Fortune

In 1989, Pat Sajak continued to host the syndicated evening versions of Wheel of Fortune.

April 13, 1990: End of Late-Night Talk Show

On April 13, 1990, Pat Sajak's late-night talk show ended its run on CBS.

September 22, 1990: Birth of Son, Patrick

On September 22, 1990, Pat Sajak's son, Patrick Michael James Sajak, was born.

1990: End of Late-Night Talk Show

In 1990, Pat Sajak's late-night talk show on CBS ended.

November 7, 1992: Guest Star on The Commish

On November 7, 1992, Pat Sajak was a special guest star on The Commish, playing psychologist Brian Brandon in the episode "The Two Faces of Ed".

1994: Appeared on Rugrats

In 1994, Pat Sajak appeared as himself on the children's cartoon show Rugrats.

January 5, 1995: Birth of Daughter, Maggie

On January 5, 1995, Pat Sajak's daughter, Maggie Marie Sajak, was born.

1997: April Fool's Day Prank on Wheel of Fortune

In 1997, Pat Sajak and Vanna White were contestants on Wheel of Fortune hosted by Alex Trebek as an April Fool's Day prank.

1998: Owned WNAV Radio Station

From 1998, Pat Sajak owned Maryland-based AM radio station WNAV in Annapolis.

2001: Appeared in The King of Queens

In 2001, Pat Sajak appeared as himself in the episode "Inner Tube" on the sitcom The King of Queens.

2002: Hosted The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour

From at least 2002, Pat Sajak hosted The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour.

2003: Hosted Pat Sajak Weekend on Fox News

In 2003, Pat Sajak hosted Pat Sajak Weekend on Fox News.

2005: Investor in the Golden Baseball League

In 2005, Pat Sajak became an investor in the Golden Baseball League.

2006: End of The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour

In 2006, The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour ended due to scheduling conflicts.

2007: Bob Barker stopped hosting The Price Is Right

In 2007, Bob Barker stopped hosting The Price Is Right.

2007: Debut of Lucky Letters

In 2007, Pat Sajak's puzzle game "Lucky Letters" debuted.

2010: April Fool's Episode Appearance

In 2010, Pat Sajak appeared at the beginning of an April Fool's episode of Jeopardy! with Jeff Probst and Neil Patrick Harris.

2010: Began Writing for National Review Online

In 2010, Pat Sajak began writing for the National Review Online.

March 2012: Guest Appearance at Baseball Game

During a March 2012 Baltimore Orioles – Boston Red Sox spring-training game, Pat Sajak acknowledged that he had called some baseball games in the past.

2017: Celebrity Narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional

In 2017, Pat Sajak was a celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional.

2018: Longest-Running Game Show Host

In 2018, Pat Sajak became the longest-running host of any game show.

2018: Celebrity Narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional

In 2018, Pat Sajak was a celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional.

2018: On-Ice Appearance at Stanley Cup Finals

In 2018, Pat Sajak, an avid fan of the Washington Capitals, made an on-ice appearance before game three of the Stanley Cup Finals.

March 28, 2019: Taping of Guinness World Record Episode

On March 28, 2019, the episode honoring Pat Sajak's Guinness World Record was taped.

May 8, 2019: Aired Guinness World Record Episode

On May 8, 2019, the episode honoring Pat Sajak's Guinness World Record was aired.

November 8, 2019: Emergency Intestinal Surgery

On November 8, 2019, Pat Sajak underwent emergency intestinal surgery to remove a blockage.

December 5, 2019: Returned to Work

On December 5, 2019, Pat Sajak returned to work after recovering from emergency intestinal surgery.

2019: Hillsdale College Board of Trustees Chair

As of 2019, Pat Sajak is the Hillsdale College board of trustees chair.

2019: Celebrity Narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional

In 2019, Pat Sajak was a celebrity narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional.

2019: Guinness World Record

In 2019, Pat Sajak was recognized by Guinness World Records for having the longest-serving career as a game show host for the same show.

2020: Consulting Producer for Wheel of Fortune

Since 2020, Pat Sajak has been credited as a Consulting Producer of Wheel of Fortune.

September 2021: Signed On to Continue Hosting Wheel of Fortune

In September 2021, Pat Sajak and Vanna White signed on to continue as hosts of Wheel of Fortune through the 2023–24 season.

2021: Son Earned Medical Degree

In 2021, Pat Sajak's son Patrick earned his medical degree.

2021: Hosted Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

Since 2021, Pat Sajak and Vanna White have hosted Primetime Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC.

2021: Sold WNAV Radio Station

Until the end of 2021, Pat Sajak owned Maryland-based AM radio station WNAV in Annapolis.

June 12, 2023: Retirement Announcement

On June 12, 2023, Pat Sajak announced that he would retire as host of Wheel of Fortune in 2024.

June 2023: Agreed to Continue as Show Consultant

In June 2023, Pat Sajak agreed to continue as a show consultant for three years after hosting and said he would continue as chairman of the board of trustees for Hillsdale College.