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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Television Host

Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek was a Canadian-born American television personality best known as the longtime host of the game show Jeopardy!.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alex Trebek was a Canadian-born American television personality best known as the longtime host of the game show Jeopardy!. He hosted the revived U.S. version from 1984 until his death in 2020. Trebek became one of television’s most recognizable quiz-show hosts and held a Guinness World Record for hosting the most episodes of a single game show.

Early life and education

Trebek was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and studied philosophy at the University of Ottawa. Sources describe him as the son of a Ukrainian immigrant father and a Canadian mother.

Broadcasting career

He began working in Canadian broadcasting before becoming a game-show host. His early hosting work included Canadian programs such as Reach for the Top, and his first American hosting job was The Wizard of Odds in 1973.

Jeopardy!

Trebek began hosting Jeopardy! in 1984 and remained with the program until 2020. His long tenure made him closely associated with the show and brought him multiple major television awards.

Honours and legacy

Trebek won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He was also recognized by Guinness World Records for his long-running hosting record.

Key facts

  • Trebek hosted Jeopardy! for nearly 37 seasons, from its 1984 revival until 2020.
  • He was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and was Canadian-born before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1998.
  • He held the Guinness World Record for hosting the most episodes of the same game show.
  • He received seven Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host.
  • He died in 2020 of pancreatic cancer at age 80.
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Canadian context

Trebek was born in Ontario and began his broadcasting career in Canada, making him a notable Canadian media figure as well as an internationally recognized television host.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Alex Trebek?
Alex Trebek was a Canadian-born American television personality best known as the host of Jeopardy! from 1984 until 2020.
Where was Alex Trebek born?
He was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, on July 22, 1940.
What was Alex Trebek best known for?
He was best known for hosting Jeopardy!, one of television’s most prominent game shows.
When did Alex Trebek die?
He died on November 8, 2020, in Los Angeles, California, at age 80.
Did Alex Trebek become an American citizen?
Yes. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alex-Trebek
    Supports: Birth, death, nationality, and role as longtime Jeopardy! host.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0871618/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death details, and cause of death.
  3. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/alex-trebek
    Supports: Early hosting work, Jeopardy! tenure, and pancreatic cancer details.
  4. Jeopardy! — https://www.jeopardy.com/about/cast/alex-trebeks-legacy-1940-2020
    Supports: Episode count, awards, and record-setting hosting legacy.