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{{Infobox person
| image = Alex Trebek 2009.jpg
| caption = Alex Trebek in April 2009
| birth_name = George Alexander Trebek
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1940|7|22}}
| birth_place = [[Sudbury, Ontario]], [[Canada]]
| occupation = Television personality<br />Game show host<br /> Actor
| years_active = 1963–present
| spouse = [[Elaine Trebek Kares|Elaine Callei]] (1974–81)<br/>Jean Currivan-Trebek (1990–present)
| children = 2
| signature = AlexTrebek.png
}}
'''George Alexander "Alex" Trebek''' ({{IPAc-en|t|r|ɨ|ˈ|b|ɛ|k}}; born July 22, 1940) is a [[Canadian American]] television personality. He has been the host of the [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]] [[game show]] ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' since 1984, and has also hosted a number of other game shows, including ''[[The Wizard of Odds]]'', ''[[Double Dare (1976 game show)|Double Dare]]'', ''[[High Rollers]]'', ''[[Battlestars (game show)|Battlestars]]'', ''[[Classic Concentration]]'' and ''[[To Tell the Truth]]''. Trebek has made appearances in numerous television series, usually [[Cameo appearance|portraying himself]]. A native of Canada, he became a [[naturalization|naturalized]] United States [[citizenship|citizen]] in 1998.<ref>[http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_110135152.html "Who Is Alex Trebek?"], CBS Los Angeles biography, 20 April 2007. URL retrieved 21 September 2007</ref>

Trebek is signed as host of ''Jeopardy!'' through 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=de Moraes|first1=Lisa|title=Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak, Vanna White Stick With ‘Jeopardy!’, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Through 2017-18 Season|url=http://deadline.com/2015/03/alex-trebek-pat-sajak-vanna-white-contracts-wheel-fortune-jeopardy-sony-pictures-television-1201390645/|accessdate=March 11, 2015|publisher=[[Deadline.com]]|date=March 11, 2015}}</ref>

==Early life==
Trebek was born in [[Sudbury, Ontario|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]], in 1940,<ref>{{cite news | url =http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-alex-trebek-heart-attack-jeopardy,0,1382363.story | title= Alex Trebek, host of 'Jeopardy!,' resting after heart attack at 71 | first=Christie | last = D'Zurilla | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date= 24 June 2012 | quote=Trebeck turns 72 on July 22.| accessdate = 24 June 2012}}</ref> the son of George Edward Trebek, a chef who had emigrated from [[Ukrainian Canadians|Ukraine]] as a child, and the former Lucille Lagacé, a [[Franco-Ontarian]].<ref>{{cite video| url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wrGymxZSDQ&t=1m32s| title=Alex Trebek YKO Los Angeles| quote=Now, jump ahead about 20 years.... my father is still a chef, and he's getting feelings of nostalgia for the Old Country. He would like to go back and visit Ukraine.}}</ref> Trebek graduated from [[Lisgar Collegiate Institute]] in 1957 before graduating from [[Toronto]]'s [[Malvern Collegiate Institute]] in 1958, and later the [[University of Ottawa]] with a degree in [[philosophy]] in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.media.uottawa.ca/mediaroom/news-details_2350.html|title=This University of Ottawa alumnus is honoured for his outstanding TV career. Who is Alex Trebek?|publisher=[[University of Ottawa]]|date=17 June 2011|accessdate=20 June 2012}}</ref> As a student at the University of Ottawa, he was a member of the English Debating Society. Interested in a career in broadcast news, he began his broadcasting career working for the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] as a [[news presenter|newscaster]] and [[sportscaster]]. Trebek specialized in national news and covered a wide range of special events for the CBC's radio and television divisions, including curling<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvarchive.ca/database/16529/cbc_championship_curling/details/ |title=CBC Championship Curling |publisher=TVArchive.ca |date= |accessdate=19 April 2012}}</ref> and horse racing.<ref>[http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/qpodcast_20080804_6879.mp3 NewspaperARCHIVE.com - Search old newspaper articles online]</ref>

==Career==
Trebek's first hosting job was on a Canadian music program called ''[[Music Hop]]'' in 1963. In 1966 he hosted a high school [[game show|quiz show]] called ''[[Reach for the Top]].'' From 1967 to 1970 he was a host for the CBC, introducing classical music programs including performances by Glenn Gould. In 1973 he moved to the [[United States]] and worked for [[NBC]] as host of a new game show, ''[[The Wizard of Odds]].'' A year later Trebek hosted the popular [[Heatter-Quigley Productions|Merrill Heatter-Bob Quigley]] game show, ''[[High Rollers]],'' which had two incarnations on NBC (1974–76 and 1978–80), and an accompanying syndicated season (1975–76). In between stints as host of ''High Rollers,'' Trebek hosted the short-lived CBS game show ''[[Double Dare (1976 game show)|Double Dare]]'' (not to be confused with the [[Double Dare (1986 game show)|1986 Nickelodeon game show of the same name]]). ''Double Dare'' turned out to be his only Game Show with the CBS network (he returned to CBS in 1994 to host [[Pillsbury Bake-Off]] until 1998), and the first show he hosted for what was then [[Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions]], as well as the second season of the syndicated series ''[[The $128,000 Question]],'' which taped in [[Toronto]]. Since the second incarnation of ''High Rollers'' premiered while ''The $128,000 Question'' was still airing and taping episodes, Trebek became one of two hosts to emcee shows in both the United States and Canada, joining [[Jim Perry (television personality)|Jim Perry]], who was hosting ''[[Definition (TV series)|Definition]]'' and ''[[Headline Hunters]]'' in Canada and ''[[Card Sharks]],'' which, coincidentally, premiered the same day as ''High Rollers'' in 1978, in the United States. Trebek's [[Francophone]] side was put on display in 1978, in a special bilingual edition of ''Reach for the Top'' and its Radio-Canada equivalent, ''[[Génies en herbe]].'' In this show Trebek alternated smoothly between French and English throughout.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://archives.cbc.ca/programs/2089/ |title=CBC Archives| work=CBC News}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref>

Like other hosts of the day, Trebek made several guest appearances as panelist or player on other shows; one of his guest appearances was on a special week of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Card Sharks]],'' in 1980, where he and several other game show hosts (including [[Allen Ludden]], [[Bill Cullen]], [[Wink Martindale]], [[Jack Clark (television)|Jack Clark]], [[Gene Rayburn]], and [[Jim Lange]]) competed in a week-long round robin tournament for charity. Trebek won the tournament, defeating Cullen in the finals. Trebek also appeared as a celebrity teammate on the NBC game show ''[[The Magnificent Marble Machine]]'' in 1975, as well as the [[Tom Kennedy (television presenter)|Tom Kennedy]]-hosted NBC word game ''[[To Say the Least]]'' in 1978. Both of those shows were produced by Merrill Heatter-Bob Quigley Productions, which also produced ''High Rollers,'' the show Trebek was hosting during both of those guest appearances. Trebek also was a contestant on ''[[Celebrity Bowling]]'' in 1973, teamed with [[Jim McKrell]]; the duo won their match against [[Dick Gautier]] and [[Scatman Crothers]].

After ''[[High Rollers]]'' was canceled in 1980, Trebek moved on to ''[[Battlestars (game show)|Battlestars]]'' for NBC. The series debuted in October 1981, and was canceled in April 1982 after only six months on the air. In September 1981 Trebek took the helm of the syndicated ''[[Pitfall (game show)|Pitfall]],'' which taped in [[Vancouver]] and forced him to commute, as he had while hosting ''High Rollers'' and ''The $128,000 Question'' in 1978. ''Pitfall'' was canceled after its production company, Catalena Productions, went bankrupt. As a result, he was never paid for that series. After both series ended, Trebek hosted a revival of ''Battlestars'' called ''The New Battlestars'' that ended after thirteen weeks, then shot a series of pilots for other series for producers [[Merrill Heatter (screenwriter)|Merrill Heatter]] (for whom he had worked hosting ''High Rollers'' and ''Battlestars'') and [[Merv Griffin]]. The Heatter pilots were ''Malcolm,'' an NBC-ordered pilot featuring Trebek with an animated character as his co-host, and ''Lucky Numbers,'' an attempt at a revival of ''High Rollers'' that failed to sell. For Griffin, he shot two pilots for a revival of ''Jeopardy!'' This revival sold; he began hosting the revival in 1984 and has hosted ever since.

In 1987, while still hosting ''Jeopardy!'', Trebek returned to daytime television as host of NBC's ''[[Classic Concentration]],'' his second show for [[Mark Goodson]]. He hosted both shows simultaneously until 20 September 1991, when ''Classic Concentration'' aired its final episode. In 1991 Trebek made broadcast history by becoming the first person to host three American game shows at the same time, earning this distinction on 4 February 1991, when he took over for [[Lynn Swann]] as host of NBC's ''[[To Tell the Truth]],'' also for Goodson-Todman, which he hosted until the end of the series' run on September 20, 1991.

In 1994, Trebek returned to the CBS network for the first time since hosting Double Dare to host the [[Pillsbury Bake-off]] which he hosted until 1998.

In August 1995 in a return to his broadcast-news roots, Trebek filled in for [[Charles Gibson]] for a week on ''[[Good Morning America]].''

Trebek and [[Pat Sajak]], host of ''[[Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)|Wheel of Fortune]],'' traded places on April Fools' Day 1997. Sajak hosted ''Jeopardy!'' and Trebek hosted ''Wheel of Fortune'' with Sajak's wife, Lesly, as Trebek's co-host.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=April Fool's Day Special|series=Wheel of Fortune|date=1 April 1997|network=Syndicated|credits=[[Columbia TriStar Television]]; [[Harry Friedman]], producer; Dick Carson, director}}</ref> Sajak and ''Wheel of Fortune'' co-host [[Vanna White]] played contestants at the wheel, with winnings going toward charities.

Trebek appeared on ''[[Celebrity Poker Showdown]]'' in 2005. He came in second place in his qualifying game, losing to [[Cheryl Hines]]. On May 9, 2008, Trebek was a guest on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' On the program, he discussed his 24-year career as the host of ''Jeopardy!'' Another appearance on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' was in 2011, when he talked about the IBM Challenge on ''Jeopardy!''

Trebek also appears in many commercials for [[Colonial Penn]] Life Insurance, of which he is a "compensated endorser," and he reprised his role as host of ''To Tell the Truth'' in a 2010 advertisement for [[DirecTV]].

[[File:Alex Trebek USAF.jpg|thumb|Alex Trebek at [[Kadena Air Base]], [[Okinawa, Japan]], on 31 March 2007]]
In December 2010, Trebek guest-starred on ''[[How I Met Your Mother]].''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/News/Exclusive-Alex-Trebek-1025741.aspx|title= Exclusive: Alex Trebek to Guest Star on How I Met Your Mother|publisher=TVGuide.com|accessdate=18 November 2010}}</ref>

On March 26, 2014, Alex Trebek made a guest appearance on ''[[Hot in Cleveland]]'' as himself & as Ranger, Park Alex Trebek.<ref name="Hot in Cleveland">{{cite web|url= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_in_Cleveland|title= Hot in Cleveland}}</ref><ref name="List of Hot in Cleveland episodes">{{cite web|url= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hot_in_Cleveland_episodes|title= List of Hot in Cleveland episodes}}</ref><ref name="Hot in Cleveland season 5">{{cite web|url= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_in_Cleveland_(season_5)|title= Hot in Cleveland (season 5)}}</ref>

On the December 18, 2014 series finale episode of ''[[The Colbert Report]]'', Trebek (introduced as the "one with all the answers") greets Colbert as he boards a sleigh driven by Santa Claus and [[Abraham Lincoln]] and leaves the studio for the last time.<ref name="ew14">{{citenews|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/12/19/colbert-report-finale/|date=December 19, 2014|title='The Colbert Report' wraps up with an immortal, star-studded finale|author=Hillary Busis|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Trebek became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1998.<ref name=monsters>{{cite web | url = http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/archive/peoplearchive.php/Alex_Trebek/biography/ |title=Alex Trebek Biography |publisher=Monstersandcritics.com |date= |accessdate=19 April 2012}}</ref> Trebek has been married to Jean Currivan Trebek since 1990 and they have two children, Matthew and Emily. His former wife is [[Elaine Trebek Kares|Elaine Callei]].<ref name=tvgbio>{{cite web | url = http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/alex-trebek/bio/211344 | title= Alex Trebek: Biography | publisher=[[TV Guide|TVGuide.com]] | accessdate= 24 June 2012}}</ref>

In 1996 Trebek ran the [[Olympic Torch]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], through a leg of its journey to Atlanta.<ref>{{cite web | title=J! Archive - Show #5365, aired Friday, December 28, 2007 - Contestant interveiew | url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=2252 | date=28 December 2007 | accessdate=31 December 2007 | quote=I'm sure there were as many heartwarming stories as there were wacky adventures associated with the carrying of the torch. I carried it in Florida. | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080101054729/http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=2252| archivedate= 1 January 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

In late 2001 during ''Jeopardy!'''s season 18 Trebek shaved the mustache that he had worn for over 30 years. He wore a fake mustache for the first half of the April 1, 2008, episode as an April Fools' joke.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameshows.about.com/od/jeopardy/tp/jeopardy_memorable_moments.htm |title=Jeopardy Top Ten Memorable Moments - Best Jeopardy Moments |publisher=Gameshows.about.com |date=16 March 2007 |accessdate=25 August 2013}}</ref> In summer 2014, Trebek regrew the mustache for the 31st season of ''Jeopardy!'' only to shave it off again a month into the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2014/09/09/alex-trebek-mustache-photos-jeopardy/|title=Alex Trebek Brings His Mustache Back: See theJeopardy! Host's New (Old) Look|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|work=[[People (magazine)|People Magazine]]|date=September 9, 2014|accessdate=September 10, 2014}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wthr.com/story/26773079/2014/10/13/alex-trebek-shaves-mustache-again-after-jeopardy-fan-vote|title=Alex Trebek shaves mustache again after Jeopardy! fan vote|publisher=[[Dispatch Broadcast Group]]|work=[[WTHR]]|date=September 13, 2014|accessdate=September 14, 2014}}</ref>

Trebek owned and managed a 700-acre (2.8&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) ranch near [[Paso Robles, California|Paso Robles]] in [[Creston, California|Creston]], [[California]], known as Creston Farms, where he [[breed|bred]] and trained [[thoroughbred]] [[race horse]]s.<ref name=monsters /> Trebek's colt, Reba's Gold, is the stakes-winning son of [[Slew o' Gold]].<ref>[http://www.pedigreequery.com/rebas+gold Rebas Gold Horse Pedigree]</ref>

===Health and personal incidents===

On January 30, 2004, Trebek escaped major injury after falling asleep behind the wheel of his pickup truck while driving alone on a rural road in the [[Central Coast of California|Central Coast]] town of [[Templeton, California|Templeton]], [[California]], returning from a family home in [[Lake Nacimiento]]. The truck sideswiped a string of mailboxes, flew 45 feet<ref>{{cite web | title=J! Archive - Show #5012, aired Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - Contestant interview | date=30 May 2006 | url=http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=984 | accessdate=29 December 2006 | quote=I got you beat. When I fell asleep at the wheel, my pickup flew 45 feet.}}</ref> over an embankment, and came to rest against a utility pole in a ditch. Trebek was not cited for the accident and returned to work taping ''Jeopardy!'' the following Tuesday.<ref>{{cite news | title='Jeopardy!' host Trebek in car crash | agency=Associated Press | date=31 January 2004 | url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/31/trebek.ap/index.html | accessdate=29 December 2006 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070322041432/http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/31/trebek.ap/index.html | archivedate=22 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title='Jeopardy!' host hopes to return Tuesday | agency=Associated Press | date=2 February 2004 | url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/02/people.trebek.ap/index.html | accessdate=29 December 2006 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061129234606/http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/02/people.trebek.ap/index.html | archivedate=29 November 2006}} See also [http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=11720].</ref>

On December 11, 2007, Trebek was admitted to [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] after suffering a minor [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] in his home. He was released on December 15, 2007.<ref>{{cite web | last=Albiniak | first=Paige | title=Alex Trebek Released from Hospital: ''Jeopardy!'' Host Heads Home to Recuperate from Heart Attack | publisher=Broadcasting & Cable | url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6513228.html | date=16 December 2007 | accessdate=12 February 2008 | quote=''Jeopardy!'' host Alex Trebek was released from Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Hospital Saturday [December 15]... }}</ref> Trebek returned to the production of ''Jeopardy!'' as scheduled on 14 January 2008, to tape the [[Jeopardy! Teen Tournament|Teen Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jeopardy.com/announcementalextrebek20071211.php | title=Jeopardy! official web site Alex Trebek announcement | quote=Alex Trebek, host of Jeopardy!, has had a minor heart attack. He is resting comfortably in a Los Angeles hospital, and he will be back in the studio for the next scheduled tapings in January. | date=11 December 2007 | accessdate=11 December 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071213160422/http://jeopardy.com/announcementalextrebek20071211.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 13 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Jablon | first=Robert | agency=Associated Press | title=Trebek Hospitalized With Heart Attack | url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jQkNHtRpZWQh_mFyiHvkdIMP9eIAD8TFFPGG0 | date=11 December 2007 | accessdate=11 December 2007 | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20071213182326/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jQkNHtRpZWQh_mFyiHvkdIMP9eIAD8TFFPGG0| archivedate= 13 December 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="ellen">{{cite episode | title=Interview with Alex Trebek | series=The Ellen DeGeneres Show | serieslink=The Ellen DeGeneres Show | airdate=2008-01-18 | url=http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=35092 | quote=We've got our Teen Tournament coming up in two weeks. We just taped that. I went back to work, felt great doing it. }}</ref>

Trebek was robbed in a hotel room in [[San Francisco]] on July 27, 2011. While hosting the [[National Geographic World Championship]] he told a crowd at [[Google]]'s HQ that he "snapped an [[Achilles tendon]] early Wednesday morning, while chasing a burglar at a San Francisco hotel." He woke up to sounds of a woman in his room going through his things. He said he then got out of bed, put on his underwear and chased the robber down the hall. During the chase, Trebek was injured, but he hobbled back to his room to call security, and the woman was apprehended. The woman arrested was Lucinda Moyers, who had been convicted of four previous burglaries since 1990.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://main.aol.com/2011/12/06/lucinda-moyers-alex-trebek_n_1131415.html|title=Lucinda Moyers, Alex Trebek's Burglar, Won't Face Three Strikes|agency=Associated Press|publisher=[[AOL News]]|date=6 December 2011|accessdate=25 May 2012}}</ref> Trebek says all was recovered except cash and a bracelet (a gift from his mother). He was expected to be in a cast for close to six weeks.<ref>{{cite news| last=Budman | first=Scott | publisher=NBC Bay Area| url=http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Trebek--I-Left-My-Cash-in-San-Francisco-126281588.html | title=Trebek: "I Left My Cash in San Francisco" Famous host talks robbery at Google |date=27 July 2011 | accessdate=27 July 2011}}</ref>

Trebek suffered a second mild heart attack on June 23, 2012.<ref>{{cite news | title=‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek hospitalized with mild heart attack | date=24 June 2012 | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/jeopardy-host-alex-trebek-hospitalized-with-mild-heart-attack/2012/06/24/gJQAhyGyzV_story.html | work=Washington Post | accessdate=24 June 2012 | deadurl=yes}} {{Dead link|date=August 2012|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> However, he returned to the ''Jeopardy!'' set on July 24 for filming of the 29th season, after recovery from his heart attack. The 29th season began airing on September 17, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yahr|first=Emily|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/alex-trebek-back-on-jeopardy-set-after-recovering-from-heart-attack/2012/07/24/gJQAqsER7W_blog.html|title=Alex Trebek back on ‘Jeopardy!’ set after recovering from heart attack|work=Washington Post|date=24 July 2012|accessdate=27 July 2012}}</ref>

==Honors and awards==
[[File:Alex Trebek Star on Walk of Fame.jpg|thumb|Trebek's star on the Canadian Walk of Fame]]
Trebek has been awarded five Outstanding Game Show Host [[Emmy Award]]s and a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] (located at 6501 Hollywood Boulevard, near those for [[Ann-Margret]] and [[Vincent Price]]).

In March 2006, it was announced that he would receive a star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Entertainment/20060308/walk_fame_060308/|title=Canada's Walk of Fame inductees announced|date=8 March 2006|publisher=[[CTV Television Network]]|accessdate=20 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/bios/alextrebek/|title=Bios - Alex Trebek|publisher=jeopardy.com}}</ref> He is the second game show host to be inducted (the first being [[Monty Hall]] of ''[[Let's Make a Deal]]'' and the third being [[Howie Mandel]] of ''[[Deal or No Deal]]''). His star is located on King Street West near those of the [[Crazy Canucks]] and [[Eugene Levy]].

In 2011, it was announced that Trebek would be one of the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the [[Daytime Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20072468-10391698.html|title=Daytime Emmy Awards honor Pat Sajak, Alex Trebek|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=20 June 2011|accessdate=20 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118038399|title=Daytime Emmy wheel spins for Sajak, Trebek|last=Maloney|first=Michael|date=17 June 2011|publisher=''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''|accessdate=20 June 2012}}</ref>

As of June 13, 2014, Trebek has held a [[Guinness World Record]] for "the most gameshow episodes hosted by the same presenter (same program)" for having hosted 6,829 episodes of ''Jeopardy!'', overtaking previous record holder [[Bob Barker]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/6/video-jeopardy!-star-alex-trebek-sets-record-for-most-game-show-episodes-hosted-58061|title=Jeopardy! star Alex Trebek sets record for most game show episodes hosted|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|date=13 June 2014|accessdate=14 June 2014}}</ref>

===Philanthropy and activism ===
He hosts the annual [[National Geographic Bee]] in the United States and [[The Great Canadian Geography Challenge]] in Canada. Active with the [[World Vision]] charitable organization, he has traveled to many third world countries with World Vision projects, taping reports on the group's efforts on behalf of children around the world.<ref>World Vision's website says Trebek has been a sponsor of the charity since the early 1980s ([http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/comms.nsf/stable/jeopardy?OpenDocument&cmp=IL12640 "Bid on the Jeopardy set!"], World Vision website, 2002). His travels publicizing the charity's work include trips to [[Zambia]] ([http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/pr.nsf/f7b30c7d9156f79b8525646000810b4b/9a0d74ff092db41488257301005e2c36!OpenDocument "Alex Trebek to Visit Zambia with World Vision"] World Vision website, 21 June 2007) and [[Uganda]] ([http://www.worldvision.ca/home/about-us/celebrities-supporting-world-vision/ "Celebrities Supporting World Vision"], World Vision Canada website). World Vision's website says that Trebek "been regularly involved with World Vision and is often seen on the organization's television shows" (World Vision Canada website, ''ibid'')</ref>

Trebek and the entire ''Jeopardy!'' crew became involved with the [[USO]] in 1995 and have appeared on several military bases throughout the world, both in an attempt to find contestants and as a morale booster for the troops.

In 1998 Trebek donated 74 acres of open land in north Hollywood (worth over 2 million dollars at the time) to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.<ref>http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jan/14/local/me-8238</ref>

The American Foundation for the Blind in 2001 awarded Trebek with one of six Access Awards for his role in accommodating notable Jeopardy! champion [[Eddie Timanus]].

On November 4, 2010, Trebek received the [[Royal Canadian Geographical Society]]'s [[Gold]] Medal for his contribution to geographic education and the popular study of geography.<ref name="rcgs">{{cite web|url=http://www.rcgs.org/awards/gold_medal/winner_gold2010.asp|title=2010 Royal Canadian Geographical Society Gold Medal|publisher=rcgs.org|accessdate=3 May 2011| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110527205844/http://www.rcgs.org/awards/gold_medal/winner_gold2010.asp| archivedate= 27 May 2011 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> Previous recipients of this award include the author and [[anthropologist]] [[Wade Davis]] (2009), [[Peter Gzowski]] (1997), and [[Mary May Simon]] (1998), among others.<ref name="rcgs2">{{cite web|url=http://www.rcgs.org/awards/gold_medal/previous_winners.asp|title=All winners of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society Gold Medal|publisher=rcgs.org|accessdate=3 May 2011}}</ref>

==Television and film appearances==

===Shows hosted===
*1963–64: ''[[Music Hop]]''
*1964: ''[[Vacation Time]]'' – Co-host
*1966-70: ''CBC Championship Curling'' - Announcer
*1966–73: ''[[Reach for the Top]]''
*1969: ''Barris & Company'' – Co-host/Announcer (pilot)
*1969: ''[[Strategy (game show)|Strategy]]''
*1971: ''Pick and Choose''
*1972: ''Outside/Inside''
*1973: ''[[TGIF (ABC)|T.G.I.F.]]'' – Announcer
*1973: ''[[The Wizard of Odds]]''
*1974–76, 1978–80: ''[[High Rollers]]'' (NBC)
*1976–77: ''[[Double Dare (1976)|Double Dare]]'' (CBS)
*1976–80: ''[[Stars on Ice (TV series)|Stars on Ice]]'' (CTV)
*1977–78: ''[[The $128,000 Question]]''
*1980–81: ''Wall $treet''
*1981–82: ''[[Pitfall (game show)|Pitfall]]''
*1981–83: ''[[Battlestars (game show)|Battlestars]]''
*1983: ''Malcolm'' (pilot)
*1983: ''[[Starcade]]'' (pilot)
*1984–present: ''[[Jeopardy!]]''
*1985: ''Lucky Numbers'' (pilot)
*1987: ''VTV-Value Television'' – Co-host with [[Meredith MacRae]]
*1987–91: ''[[Classic Concentration]]''
*1989–2013: The [[National Geographic Bee]] national finals
*1990: ''[[Super Jeopardy!]]''
*1991: ''[[To Tell the Truth]]'' (1990–91) From February to May 1991
*1993: ''The Red Badge of Courage'' / ''Heart of Courage'' – Canadian-produced show highlighting brave individuals
*1996–98: The [[Pillsbury Bake-Off]]
*1997: ''[[Wheel of Fortune (US game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' – [[April Fools' Day]] episode (also a substitute host in August 1980)
*1999: ''Live from the [[Hollywood Bowl]]'' – annual live broadcast

===Cameo appearances===
*1987: ''[[Mama's Family]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1988: ''[[For Keeps (film)|For Keeps]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1988: ''[[Rain Man]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1990: ''[[Cheers]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1990: ''[[Predator 2]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (voice)
*1990: ''[[The Earth Day Special]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1991: ''[[WrestleMania VII]]'' – as himself, a ring announcer and interviewer
*1992: ''[[The Golden Girls]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (episode 7.16 – "Questions and Answers")
*1992: ''[[White Men Can't Jump]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1993: ''[[Short Cuts]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1993: ''[[Groundhog Day]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1993: ''[[Larry Sanders Show]]'' – as the minister who marries Hank Kinsley
*1993: ''[[Rugrats]]'' – as Alan Quebec, the host of "''Super Stumpers''" (episode 2.37 – "[[Rugrats Season Two|Game Show Didi]]")
*1995: ''[[The Nanny (TV series)|The Nanny]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (episode 3.2 - "Franny and the Professor")
*1995: ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1995: ''[[Jury Duty (film)|Jury Duty]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*1996: ''[[The X-Files]]'' – as a Man in Black who Agent Mulder thought looked "incredibly" like Alex Trebek (episode: "[[Jose Chung's From Outer Space]]")
*1996: ''[[Seinfeld]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (episode 8.9 – "[[The Abstinence]]")
*1996: ''[[The Magic School Bus (TV series)|The Magic School Bus]]'' – Announcer (voice) (episode 2.6 – "[[List of The Magic School Bus episodes#Season 3 (1996)|Shows and Tells]]")
*1997: ''[[The Simpsons]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!'' in "[[Miracle on Evergreen Terrace]]" (Voice)
*1998: ''[[The Weird Al Show]]'' – as himself, the Host of ''Jeopardy!'' (voice)
*1998: ''[[Mafia!]]'' – himself, riding on a parade float
*2000: ''[[Finding Forrester]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!''
*2000: ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' – himself
*2000: ''[[Arthur (TV series)|Arthur]]'' – as Alex Lebek, the host of ''Riddle Quest''<ref>{{cite web|last=Booth|first=John|url=http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/10/arthur/|title=The 15 Geekiest Episodes of PBS’s Arthur|publisher=''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''|date=10 October 2011|accessdate=14 August 2013}}</ref>
*2000: ''[[Pepper Ann]]'' – as himself (2 episodes)
*2002: ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' – himself
*2006: ''[[Family Guy]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!'' in "[[I Take Thee Quagmire]]" (voice)
*2008: ''[[The Bucket List]]'' – as himself, the host of ''Jeopardy!'' (voice)
*2013: ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'' – himself in "[[P.S. I Love You (How I Met Your Mother)|P.S. I Love You]]"
*2013: [[Delta Air Lines]] – as himself, answering a Jeopardy-like question in the final segment of Delta's Holiday-themed safety video.
*2014: ''[[Hot in Cleveland]]'' – as himself and Park Ranger Alex Trebek <ref name="Hot in Cleveland"/><ref name="List of Hot in Cleveland episodes"/><ref name="Hot in Cleveland season 5"/>
*2014: Delta Air Lines - as himself, seen raising hand after being asked if the passengers have any questions toward the end of a Delta safety video.
*2014: ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' (series finale) - as himself, in Santa's sleigh.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*{{IMDb name|871618}}
*[http://www.nndb.com/people/373/000022307/ Alex Trebek] at the [[Notable Names Database]]
*[http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/260-alex-trebek Alex Trebek's Charity Work]
*[http://entertainment.aol.ca/article/alex-trebek-and-jeopardy-come-home/309583/ Q&A with Alex Trebek]
*[[q:Alex Trebek|Alex Trebek]] at the [[Wikiquote]]
* {{emmytvlegends name|alex-trebek}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-media}}
{{succession box | title=Host of ''[[High Rollers]]''| before=Inuagurating host | after=[[Wink Martindale]] in 1987 | years=1974–76, 1978–80}}
{{succession box | title=Host of ''[[To Tell The Truth]]''| before=[[Lynn Swann]] | after=[[John O'Hurley]] in 2000| years=1991}}
{{succession box | title=Host of ''[[Concentration (game show)|Concentration]]''| before=[[Jack Narz]] | after=Defunct| years=1987–91}}
{{succession box | title=Host of ''[[Jeopardy!]]'' |years=1984–present |before=[[Art Fleming]] 1964–75, 1978–79 | after=Incumbent|years=1984-present}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box | before = [[Bob Barker]] | title = [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host]] | years = 1989–90<br>tie with [[Bob Barker]] in 1990 | after = [[Bob Barker]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Bob Barker]] | title = [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host]] | years = 2003 | after = [[Bob Barker]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Meredith Vieira]] | title = [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host]] | years = 2006 | after = [[Bob Barker]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Bob Barker]] | title = [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host]] | years = 2008 | after = [[Meredith Vieira]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Agnes Nixon]] | title = Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys | years = 2011<br>with [[Pat Sajak]] | after = Incumbent}}
{{s-end}}

{{Jeopardy!}}
{{Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Game Show Host 1984–1993}}
{{Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Game Show Host 1994–2003}}
{{Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Game Show Host 2004–2013}}

{{Authority control|VIAF=33618311}}

<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME= Trebek, Alex
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Trebek, George Alexander
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Television personality, Game show host
|DATE OF BIRTH= 1940-07-22
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trebek, Alex}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:American game show hosts]]
[[Category:American racehorse owners and breeders]]
[[Category:American people of Canadian descent]]
[[Category:Canadian horse racing announcers]]
[[Category:Canadian game show hosts]]
[[Category:Canadian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Ukrainian descent]]
[[Category:Curling broadcasters]]
[[Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Franco-Ontarian people]]
[[Category:Jeopardy!]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Greater Sudbury]]
[[Category:People from Ottawa]]
[[Category:University of Ottawa alumni]]
[[Category:American horse racing announcers]]
[[Category:American television sports announcers]]
[[Category:Royal Military College of Canada alumni]]
[[Category:Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host winners]]
[[Category:American people of Ukrainian descent]]

Revision as of 14:06, 28 April 2015

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