Stars Are Sending Support to ‘Jeopardy’ Host Alex Trebek After His Cancer Diagnosis
Longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek revealed on Wednesday, March 6, that he was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. In the hours since his announcement, fans and fellow entertainers have been flooding social media with their well-wishes for the star, who said he intends to fight the disease with everything he’s got.
Trebek, 78, shared the news about his health in a video posted to the official Jeopardy! Twitter account. He prefaced the announcement by saying it was in keeping with his “longtime policy of being open and transparent with the Jeopardy! fan base,” as well as an effort to get ahead of overblown or inaccurate reports about his health in the media.
“Just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” Trebek said. “Now, normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging. But I’m going to fight this, and I’m going to keep working. And with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease.”
On a lighter note, he continued: “Truth told, I have to. Under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you.”
A Message from Alex Trebek: pic.twitter.com/LbxcIyeTCF
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) March 6, 2019
Well wishes poured in from longtime viewers as well as Trebek’s peers in Hollywood, including game show contemporary Pat Sajak of Wheel of Fortune fame.
“The Sajak family is deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek’s struggle with cancer,” Sajak tweeted. “Our hearts go out to him and his family. But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him. We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.”
The Sajak family is deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek’s struggle with cancer. Our hearts go out to him and his family. But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him. We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) March 6, 2019
Longtime Bachelor host Chris Harrison also sent his best to the TV veteran. “Thinking and praying for fellow game show host and absolute legend Alex Trebek as he starts his fight with pancreatic cancer,” he tweeted. “God’s speed my friend.”
Even Cher wrote about the news. “Sending love and prayers To Alex Trebek,” the icon tweeted. “I’ve been playing Jeopardy! with him since I was in my 20’s…ahhh 30’s…hmmm 40’s…50’s…OMG 60’s. I’LL NEVER BE TOO OLD TO PLAY.”
And it wasn’t just celebrities sending messages of support — former contestants reached out, too. “I’ve said this before but Alex Trebek is in a way the last Cronkite: authoritative, reassuring TV voice you hear every night, almost to the point of ritual,” Jeopardy! record holder Ken Jennings tweeted. “One thing I know for a fact: Alex is very aware of how much he means to millions of people, and how we will be pulling for him…I hope that’s a comfort. And I hope some very good LA oncologists are getting ready to have their mispronunciations corrected.”
And I hope some very good L.A. oncologists are getting ready to have their mispronunciations corrected.
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) March 6, 2019
Trebek, who was born, raised, and started his television career in Canada before joining Jeopardy! in 1984, even got a shout-out from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Keep fighting, Alex,” Trudeau tweeted. “Canadians are rooting for you!”
We’re sending all our best thoughts to Alex Trebek for his upcoming treatments.
(Photo via CBS)