‘Jeopardy’ Host Alex Trebek Dead at 80

Alex Trebek, longtime host of Jeopardy and an international treasure, died today at the age of 80 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. The news was first reported by the official Jeopardy account:

Trebek first announced news of his cancer diagnosis in March of 2019. He continued to host Jeopardy while undergoing chemotherapy, although he often had to work through crippling pain. In May 2019, Trebek told CBS Sunday Morning that the treatment gave him horrible stomach cramps, which often became so unmanageable that he was “on the floor writhing in pain.” Trebek’s health seemed to improve over that summer — ahead of the Season 36 premiere, he said that he had completed chemo and was “on the mend” — but in September, he revealed that his “numbers went south dramatically and quickly” after completing treatment. “The doctors are now reexamining my situation, and it appears I will be having more chemo treatments ahead of me,” the Jeopardy host said in a September 17, 2019 video. “They worked very well the first time, so we’re expecting good results again.”

From there, though, things seemingly began to improve. He made his way through the entirety of Season 36 of the show, and in July of 2020, he shared an update just a few days shy of his 80th birthday. “I’d…like to take this opportunity to give you a quick health update,” Trebek said. “I’m doing well, I’ve been continuing my treatment, and it is paying off, though it does fatigue me a great deal. My numbers are good, I’m feeling great.” Just four days later, he explained to Good Morning America that he was undergoing experimental treatment in efforts to battle the disease.

Officials from Jeopardy have stated that Trebek’s last day in the studio was October 29, and that the last episode that Trebek taped will air on December 25.

The affable, wry Canadian began his broadcasting career way back in 1963, but he first gained attention here in the United States in the 1970s, the decade in which the game show format exploded in popularity. In 1984, Trebek was named host of the syndicated return of Jeopardy, a position that he held until his death.