Alex Trebek: Jeopardy! game show host passes away at 80

Alex Trebek, host of popular American quiz show ‘Jeopardy!’, has passed away at the age of 80.

‘Jeopardy!’ Twitter account announced the news that Sunday he had “passed away peacefully at home” surrounded by family and friends.

Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex. pic.twitter.com/Yk2a90CHIM

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 8, 2020

He has hosted the quiz show since 1984 and has achieved numerous awards for his works.

Producer of Jeopardy!, Sony Pictures, paid tribute to Mr. Trebek in a statement, “For 37 amazing years, Alex Trebek was that comforting voice, that moment of escape and entertainment at the end of a long, hard day for millions of people around the world.”

Mr. Trebek has hosted more than 8,200 episodes of the popular quiz show, making him among the most well-known people on television in the US and Canada.

In 2014 he set a Guinness World Record for “most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter”.

Mr. Trebek had announced that he had been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer in March 2019. He had vowed to continue hosting while receiving treatment including chemotherapy. He was contracted to host the show until 2022.

He had said in a video statement that he had no choice but to beat cancer because of his contractual obligations. He kept updating fans about his health condition.

“I am optimistic about my current plan, and thank them for their concerns,” Mr. Trebek said in a statement released by Jeopardy! In July.

Mr. Trebek is survived by his second wife, Jean, and his children Matthew, Emily, and Nicky.