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The tributes are pouring out for Alex Trebek. Following the news of his death, many people who either knew or followed the late Jeopardy! host flocked to social media to pay tribute. Among them was Ken Jennings and many other contestants who competed on Trebek’s show.

Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings
Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings | Jeopardy Productions via Getty Images

Alex Trebek has died after battling pancreatic cancer

The news of his death was announced on Nov. 8 on Jeopardy!‘s official Twitter page. “Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” said the statement, which also thanked him for his service.

Trebek, 80, had battled pancreatic cancer for nearly two years after revealing his stage 4 diagnosis in March 2019. He was vocal about his treatment in the following months, telling fans in March 2020 that he had even fallen into a depression at a point and considered giving up. But, he said:

I brushed that aside quickly, because that would have been a massive betrayal, a betrayal of my wife and soul mate Jean, who has given her all to help me survive. It would have been a betrayal of other cancer patients who have looked to me as an inspiration, and a cheerleader of sorts, for the value of living and hope. And it would certainly have been a betrayal of my faith in God and the millions of prayers that have been said on my behalf.

He continued on with his work, hosting Jeopardy! up until earlier in 2020 when the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis forced production to shut down. He had hosted the show since 1984, when he was tapped as a replacement for Art Fleming.

Ken Jennings remembered Alex Trebek on social media

As tributes poured in, Jennings, who made history on the show in the early 2000s for his 74-game win, took to Twitter to remember Trebek. He shared a picture of him and Trebek posing for a selfie along with a message expressing appreciation for the time he and the host spent together on the show.

“Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him,” he wrote. “Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy! family—which, in a way, included millions of us,” he added in a follow-up tweet.

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A Look Back at the Life and Career of Alex Trebek

Other ‘Jeopardy!’ contestants also mourned Alex Trebek on social media

Contestant Angela Rasmussen also paid tribute to Trebek with a photo of them together, tweeting: “Even though I lost (in Final Jeopardy by betting big according to my fortune favors the bold philosophy and getting it wrong; I would have won if I’d bet nothing but no regrets), this is among my happiest memories. RIP Alex Trebek.”

Another contestant named Kendra James shared a photo with Trebek back when she appeared on the show in the ’90s. “I was on JEOPARDY! twice. In 1998 I was on the first-ever Back to School special. Alex Trebek was so nice to 15+ 10-11 year olds — my nightmare. I wore a too shiny silver shirt from Limited Too, which Alex kept joking (kindly) about needing sunglasses to look at. RIP. #Jeopardy,” she wrote, reminding fans of his wit and comedic timing.

Contestant Jonathan Capehart added, “How lucky I was to be on @Jeopardy and to spend a moment with this kind soul. RIP, Alex Trebek.”

From the sounds of it, it seems like these were definitely amazing, unforgettable experiences. RIP Alex Trebek.

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