by Longstanding “Danger!” host Alex Trebeck revealed in a YouTube video on this day in history, Wednesday March 6, 2019, that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Trebek, then 78, said he found out about the condition this week, as he explained in a video that shocked millions of people who watched and followed the popular program under his tutelage.
“Well, usually the prognosis for that [pancreatic cancer] is not very encouraging, but I will fight it and keep working on it,” he announced in the video.
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“And with the love and support of my family and friends, and also with the help of your prayers,” he also said, “I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease.”
Trebek then joked that he needed to recover in order to fulfill the TV hosting duties he was contracted to do.
Alex Trebek, Outstanding Game Show Host winner for Jeopardy! He has hosted the program since 1984 and announced to the world that he was battling pancreatic cancer on March 6, 2019. (Albert L. Ortega/WireImage)
“To tell you the truth, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to say ‘Jeopardy!’ moderate. for three more years!” he said.
“So help me. Keep the faith and we will win. We will make it. Thanks.”
Trebek continued to offer fans and followers updates on his health while he underwent treatment.
He offered the update on his health, he said, in order to be “open and transparent” with fans of the TV show.
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Over time and while undergoing treatment, he continued to offer fans and followers updates on his health.
Alex Trebek, who became a naturalized US citizen in 1998, served as the host of the game show “Jeopardy!” for 37 seasons. (“Danger!” via AP, file)
He vowed to keep hosting and do the job he loved for as long as possible.
However, he also indicated that he would come to terms with the idea that he might have to stop treatment to save his quality of life.
Trebek also shared with followers, “I’m staying with this current protocol then that’s it. If it doesn’t work I’ll probably stop the treatment,” he wrote.
Trebek regularly spoke about how much he loved hosting the popular game show and even credited fans with helping him through his treatment.
“Quality of life was an important aspect.”
However, he later alleviated these fears with a follow-up statement in July.
“This quote from [his] The book was written BEFORE my current regimen and I’ve been going through some bad times,” Trebek explained.
“My current numbers are very good, but we have to be patient with this new immunotherapy program that I’m in,” he said.
During his performance, Alex Trebek will be asked “Who is Alex Trebek? Celebrating 35 seasons of ‘Jeopardy!’” at 92nd Street Y on February 19, 2019 in New York City. (Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
“But if we stopped being successful, I would go back to my previous chemo treatment – NOT stop all treatment.”
Trebek would die from the disease on November 8, 2020.
“This is a tremendous loss for the ‘Jeopardy!’ Staff, crew and all of Alex’s millions of fans,” Mike Richards, the show’s executive producer at the time, said in a statement to Fox News at the time.
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“He was an industry legend that we were all fortunate enough to watch night after night for 37 years. For the past year and a half, he’s worked alongside him as he continues to heroically sing ‘Jeopardy!’ moderated. was an incredible honor… His constant desire to learn, his kindness and his professionalism will stay with us all forever.”
Trebek had the “Jeopardy!” Program since 1984 — for a total of 37 seasons. He directed more than 8,000 episodes.
During his career, he received eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host for his work on Jeopardy!
He routinely spoke about how much he enjoyed hosting the popular game show and even credited fans to help him throughout his treatment.
During his career, Trebek received eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host for his work on Jeopardy!
When production halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was one of the loudest voices campaigning for the show to come back safely.
Trebek was born in Greater Sudbury, Canada and became a naturalized American citizen in 1998.
He died in Los Angeles after his 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
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After Trebek’s death, a number of guest presenters filled in for him on his most recent Jeopardy! Season.
Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings were announced as his co-successors as permanent hosts in July 2022, after taking turns for the show’s 38th season.
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Previously, a number of innkeepers filled in temporarily.
Fox News Digital’s Bryan Robinson and Elizabeth Zwirz and Tyler McCarthy contributed to this report.
