Alex Trebek Net Worth and How He Makes His Money
Alex Trebek is best known as the host of the popular game show Jeopardy! Here’s a look at Alex Trebek’s net worth, rise to fame, career, and how he built his wealth.
Early years and rise to fame
Alex Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. His first television hosting job was in 1962 on the show Vacation Time. After that, he hosted several more shows, including Music Hop (1963-1964), Reach for the Top (1966-1973), Strategy (1969), Pick and Choose (1971), Outside/Inside (1972), The Wizard of Odds (1973-1974), The $128,000 Question (1977-1978), Double Dare (1976-1977), The Hollywood Squares (1974-1978), and The New Battlestars (1981-1983). Trebek has been hosting Jeopardy! since 1984.
Alex Trebek on being the host of Jeopardy!
Although some people might bask in the spotlight and get a bit conceited because they’re hosting a hit show like Jeopardy!, Trebek has managed to stay humble. In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Trebek said he doesn’t consider himself the star of the show:
You have to set your ego aside. The stars of the show are the contestants and the game itself. That’s why I’ve always insisted that I be introduced as the host and not the star. And if you want to be a good host, you have to figure a way to get the contestants to — as in the old television commercial about the military — ‘be all you can be.’ Because if they do well, the show does well. And if the show does well, by association I do well.
Alex Trebek’s announcement
In March 2019, Trebek announced he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Although the disease is fatal in most cases, the host said he was determined to fight the cancer. He joked in a video for Jeopardy! that he had to live and beat the disease because he still had a few years left on his contract.
Just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 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. Truth told, I have to [continue hosting] because 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.
How Alex Trebek makes his money
Trebek has several income sources. Outside of his game-show hosting duties, one way he earns money is by producing. Trebek produced 620 Jeopardy! episodes from 1984 to 1987. In 2018, he was the executive producer for two documentaries (Game Changers and Eyes of Faith).
Trebek also has many acting credits. He made his acting debut in 1978 in the television series Vega$. He played the role of Arthur Martin in an episode titled “The Games Girls Play.” Trebek’s recent acting appearances include roles in How I Met Your Mother, Hot in Cleveland, and Orange Is the New Black. Furthermore, Trebek makes money from product endorsement deals.
Alex Trebek’s net worth
Alex Trebek has an estimated net worth of $50 million.
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