‘Wheel of Fortune’ Co-Host Vanna White Is a Guinness Book of World Record Holder for Clapping on the Show
One of the most-watched and iconic game shows of all-time is Wheel of Fortune. Just as iconic as the show, is the program’s cohosts, Vanna White and Pat Sajak. The two have been on the air together for many decades, and have become almost inseparable from their beloved game show.
Both White and Sajak have been deservedly applauded and for their hosting skills by the show’s loyal audience. What these loyal fans may not know, is that both Sajak and White are official world-record holders for their accomplishments during Wheel of Fortune and that White’s record is for a hilarious, yet impressive, accomplishment.
What is ‘Wheel of Fortune?’
On Wheel of Fortune, contestants compete for fame, glory, and cash by solving difficult word puzzles. The long-running game show has been on the air since 1975, and was created by game show industry legend Merv Griffin who is also responsible for the creation of Jeopardy! which is hosted by Alex Trebek.
Wheel of Fortune show was originally hosted by the pair of Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford. Sajak took over for Woolery as the main host of the show in 1981 and has hosted the show every year since.
Together with White, Sajak is responsible for helping the show reach a massive audience, and gain a lucrative syndication run. New episodes of the show are still being produced today, and the show has been run in syndication for decades which means fans can watch their favorite game show every day.
One of the main reasons for the show’s popularity is the incomparable style and grace of White, who deserves as much credit as her friend and counterpart Sajak for their show’s prolonged success.
Who is Vanna White?
Vanna Marie White was born on February 18, 1957, in Conway, South Carolina. White has been on the Wheel of Fortune since 1982 and has not missed a year of hosting the show ever since. White took over the job from Stafford, after being selected from three finalists.
On the game show, White is responsible for turning the letters on the board over after they have been guessed. She is known for her effortless stride and a charming smile. Another of the things White is known for on Wheel of Fortune is clapping while the wheel spins and for every contestant on the show.
Her clapping is so legendary, White has been officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for it.
What record does White hold?
White is a well-known icon in the world of game shows and network television, but some fans may not know that she also is a world-record holder for her legendary clapping. White was presented the award for Television’s Most Frequent Clapper in 2014 by the Guinness Book of World Records.
At that time, it was estimated that White has clapped over 600 times an episode, totaling over 3.7 million claps. The number is even higher now, as White has continued her clapping for six years her record was set.
Other accolades that White holds include her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. White’s ceremony induction into the sidewalk of Hollywood’s elite was attended by her friends Griffin, Trebek, and her cohost Sajak.
The other host of the show, Sajak, is also a Guinness Book of World Record holder for the Longest Career as a Game Show Host of the Same Show. Sajak has been the host of Wheel of Fortune from 1981-2020, and he passed The Price Is Right’s Bob Barker for the longest-running host during his 2018-2019 year of the show.
The pair of legendary hosts have no equal in the game show history, both in the number of claps clapped and length of shows hosted.
