Alex Trebek is best known for being the host of Peril!, a syndicated game show on NBC. The series debuted on March 30, 1964, but Alex Trebek took over as host in 1984 and has since garnered many loyal fans. The eccentric television host has also hosted other game shows, including: Tell the Truth, Classic Concentration, Double Dare, The Magician of Chances, Battlestars, and High Rollers.
The Canadian-American has also appeared in several scripted TV shows, mostly always playing himself. Alex was born in Canada, where he spent his early years. however, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998.
Alex Trebek Biography, Age
George Alexander Trebek was born on November 22, 1940 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada to George and Lucille Trebek. His mother was Franco-Ontarian while his father was a chef who immigrated from Ukraine (although he spent his early years in Japan). As a result, the future game show host grew up of mixed ethnicity and in a multilingual household.
Alex Trebek attended the University of Ottawa and graduated in 1961 with a degree in philosophy. At the University of Ottawa, he became interested in broadcasting after joining the English Debating Society. After graduating in 1961, he began his career working as a news anchor for CBC – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He then specialized in covering special events and national news.
career breakthrough
Alex’s first hosting job came in 1963, when he hosted Music Hop, a Canadian music program. Soon after, he hosted Reaching the Top, a high school quiz show. It was the start of what was to become a long and distinguished career for Alex Trebek.
During his career, he has hosted several shows, including The Wizard of Chances, Dare to Doubly, High Rollers, Pillsbury Bake-Off, and The $128,000 Question.
With his growing resume, he became one of two hosts who have been active in Canada and the United States. His bilingual ability was shown in the 1978 bilingual special episode of Reaching the Top where he easily alternated between French and English throughout the episode.
In 1984, he shot a pilot for the revival of the 1964 series, Peril! The pilot was picked up and since then Alex Trebek has hosted Peril until now. In 1987, he became the host of the classic NBC game show Concentration. He hosted both shows simultaneously until 1991, when Concentration Classique ended its run, although reruns continued to air until 1993.
In 1991, he also became the host of Tell the Truth, becoming the first person in broadcasting history to host three US games at the same time. He starred in several commercials, including Colonial Penn Life Insurance. He was also a guest on several shows including How I Met Your Mother and Hot in Cleveland
In 2014, Alex Trebek was awarded the Guinness World Record for most episodes of a hosted game show with 6,829 episodes under his belt at the time.
Family – wife and children
In 1974, Alex Trebek married Elaine Callei, an American businesswoman, former Playboy Bunny and Ohio State University graduate. The two were together until their divorce in 1981. Although they had no children together, Alex had adopted Nicky, Elaine’s daughter from a previous marriage. Elaine currently owns an art gallery in Los Angeles.
After his divorce from Elaine, Alex waited until 1990 before he remarried. This time he married a property manager – Jean Currivan – from New York. The two married when Jean was only twenty-six. They first met at a party and immediately agreed. The game host proposed on Jean’s twenty-sixth birthday by surprising her with a 16-carat sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds. They got married shortly after and have been together ever since.
Alex and Jean currently have two children together – Matthew, born in 1990 and Emily, born in 1993. According to Matthew, he is more like his mother, Jean – reserved and shy, while Emily is more like Alex – social and outgoing. Matthew currently owns Oso, a Mexican street food restaurant located in Harlem, New York.
Alex Trebek – Height and Weight
Alex Trebek’s height is 5 feet 8 inches while his weight is 61 kg (134 pounds). Despite all her years in the entertainment industry, her other body measurements are still unknown.
Is he retiring from Jeopardy?
Alex Trebek was a host on Peril! since 1984. The show is the primary source of his wealth and net worth, which currently stands at $50 million. He’s a big part of what makes the show a smash hit. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that the Canadian-American TV host has no plans to retire from Peril! very soon. At least his current contract as host of Peril! will last until 2020
