Who is Alex Trebek? And what are Alex Trebek’s secrets?
In short, he is arguably one of the finest humans to ever walk the planet.
The esteemed host of Jeopardy helped craft the show into the beloved classic that has been enjoyed by millions of knowledge-seeking fans since 1984. It’s true that the game show traces its origins back to the late 1960s but it was Trebek taking the reins of its reboot that turned a once floundering show into the legend that it is today.
It’s difficult to picture what Jeopardy would have been like without Alex at the wheel. He and the show are downright synonymous with each other. As a host, he has endured decades of experiences that have put him to the test in so many ways that its brainy contestants might not even realize, but he has always powered through struggles and strife with professionalism and a positive mindset.
In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find someone that wasn’t familiar with the television personality. Even folks without TV sets are likely to be familiar with his name and image. His persona is somewhat larger than life.
Keeping His Personal Life
Despite his fame and years in the limelight, he has kept much of his personal life to himself. Can you blame him? Who wants all of their dirty laundry out on display for everyone to see? Let’s pay the quiz show heavyweight some respect by looking at some of those little known facts about his life that he has done much to keep on the down-low.
Facts Verse Presents: 18 Things Alex Trebek Kept Hidden from Fans
Stick around till the end of the video to see what Alex’s one regret in life is. You’re probably not going to be able to guess what he would go back and change if he could.
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Declining Health
Much to the heartbreaking dismay of his devoted fanbase, Alex announced on March 6, 2019, that he was in the midst of the battle of his life, fighting off stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Currently, Trebek has no immediate plans to leave Jeopardy. He even jests that he’s got to stick around until 2022 to fulfill his contractual obligations. Still, he is undergoing treatment while simultaneously hosting the show that at this point probably feels like home to him.
Alex Dropped His Trousers
Oh yes, you heard that right. In 2005, in what has now become known as the “no-pants” episode, Alex hosted a portion of the show without any pants on. He and his contestants made a deal that if Alex did it, then they too would hit the stage without their draws on in a display of solidarity. Trebek was pretty angry when none of the three upheld their end of the bargain, and he sure let the audience know how he felt as well.
Hollywood and Canada’s Walk of Fame
You might not have known this, but Alex was actually born in the Canadian town of Sudbury in Ontario. He got his start on Canadian television before finding work in the US. He would even later go on to become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1998.
It is in 1999, however, that Alex receives the recognition he deserves when he receives his own star on the Hollywood Walk of fame. Then a few years later, in 2006, Canada bestowed a similar honor to him by giving him his own star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. The accolade isn’t something to take lightly either, as he is only the 2nd game show host ever to receives their own Canadian Walk Of Fame star.
He Had His Own Horse Ranch
Alex is especially notable in showbiz as being one of the highest-paid TV personalities to ever take the stage. Despite having such a remarkable career, he also enjoys quite a few hobbies. Up until 2008 when he finally parted ways with the property, Alex owned a 700-acre horse farm in Creston, California. It’s still pretty hard to picture him as a cowboy though.
Alex Almost Entered The Priesthood
Mr. Trebek’s life has been full of many twists and turns, not unlike most of our lives. When he was in his early 20’s however, he seriously considered a life path that would have taken him down a much different road. After spending a summer at a Trappist Monastery, he weighed his options and made a serious consideration of joining the priesthood to become a monk. He only decided against it upon realizing that he could never take a vow of silence and actually uphold it.
He’s Had 2 Heart Attacks
And both times he quickly returned to work. There certainly is no questioning Alex’s work ethic. He has always put his career and fans first.
It was in 2007, that Trebek suffered a minor attack and then was right back on set the next day. His second heart attack occurred in 2011. Fortunately, both bouts were relatively minor and he has since made a recovery.
He’s Also A Decent Actor
It may be very difficult to picture him doing anything else outside of Jeopardy – in a similar way it’s almost impossible to imagine anyone else hosting his show – but he has made numerous guest appearances on all sorts of different TV shows over the years.
A notable example is an episode of the X-Files where he plays a nefarious member of the men-in-black. His partner in that episode was none other than Jesse Ventura – the pro wrestler and former governor of Minnesota. Additionally, he has made appearances in the film Groundhog Day and the TV shows The Simpsons and How I Met Your Mother.
He’s an Officer of the Order of Canada
Alex has always found a way of using his persona, fame, influence, and power to do an abundance of good. He has used his position to help spread goodwill, science, and social advancement. He has always prided himself in taking a firm position for the advancement of geographical literacy As such, he has been recognized for his achievements by being named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Basically, that’s like Canada’s equivalent of being Knighted.
Controversial Debate
Alex has done a good job at avoiding the scrutiny of the public eye for being involved in any major controversies. He has maintained a position of diplomacy and has done well at keeping himself out of trouble and not alienating his viewers. In 2018, however, he moderated the Pennsylvania Governor race debate. He somehow managed to speak for a total of 41% of the allotted time and managed to make several unflattering comments about the Catholic Church that angered the audience. He has since apologized for the incident.
Returned Quickly After A Severe Car Accident
We almost lost Alex on a fateful day in 2004, when he fell asleep at the wheel of his pickup truck while driving down a back road in rural California. His vehicle flipped over multiple times after crossing over the embankment and taking out several mailboxes. He really could have severely injured himself but fate was on his side that night. Yet again, he was right back at work 4 days later.
Alex Loves Tennis – A Lot
So much so, that he once purchased a mansion just so he could use its tennis court. But considering that his net worth is estimated at 75 mill, it’s not too surprising that he would throw around his money on some trivial things at times.
That is the same house he rented out to the famed – yet controversial – Cincinnati Red’s legendary baseball star Pete Rose and his wife back in the 90’s. Apparently, Trebek is a great landlord as well because he even fixed up the place and replaced the plumbing just so Rose would be comfortable.
He Never Felt Like He Fit In
Hollywood is a very strange place indeed and for Canadian native Alex Trebek, it has always been a bit of an alien environment for him.
He has always been quite shy, despite being so confident on the television screen. When he first made the move to Hollywood, he had to have his agent do all the talking for him. It took a lot of getting used to but he soon found the fame and success that he was entitled to.
His Favorite Breakfast Is A Snickers
Alex is a pretty smart guy. I mean, you would have to be if you hosted Jeopardy for that many years. But despite his intellect and knowledge base, for many years his Breakfast of choice consisted of Snickers bar and a Diet Coke.
This bad habit persisted until 2014 when he met up with a nutritionist who pointed out that the breakfast choice was slowly doing him in. Can you blame the guy though? Snickers are pretty delicious any time of the day.
He’s a Charitable Giver
Throughout his career, he has always taken charity very seriously. He’s channeled his wealth and fame into quite a few great causes over the years including being an influential figurehead for the National Geographic Education For Kids Foundation and Racing For Kids. His other philanthropic involvements include working with the United Service Organization and Smile Train.
Guinness World Record Holder
Alex’s Jeopardy reprisal made its debut back in 1984 and has since been on the air every weeknight for literally decades. Can you imagine keeping up that pace for nearly 40 years? Guinness inducted him into their prestigious club of record-holders in 2014 when he broke the record that was formerly held by Bob Barker for the highest number of episodes hosted by a TV personality. It was 6,829 in case you’re wondering.
Possible Retirement
Despite his declining health and the fact that his contract is finishing up in 2022, Alex has always been uneasy about the fact that he will someday have to say goodbye to the show that helped define his career for so many decades.
Even though, if he had it his way, he would host the show indefinitely, he has given some thought to what his parting words might be on that inevitable last episode. He has also noted how he has very little say as to who might serve as his replacement, but he has expressed approval for newscaster Alex Fraust and CNN analyst Laura Coats.
Again, it’s nearly impossible to picture anyone else hosting the show.
He Once Chased A Robber Out Of His Hotel Room
Yeah, Alex seems like a sweet, calm, serious individual, but you certainly don’t want to end up on his bad side. In fact, he once chased a criminal out of his hotel room that was attempting to rob him. Even though he tore his Achilles tendon in the pursuit, he did manage to catch the burglar and teach him a lesson.
Trebek’s One Wish
It’s clear to see what Alex’s priorities are in life. When asked what his one wish was in life if he could go back and change things, he thoughtfully replied that he only wished that he had met his wife, Jean, sooner. The couple has been happily married since the ’90s. It’s refreshing to see a celebrity couple that has that kind of love for each other.
Well Alex, you certainly are one heck of a human. It’s clear to see that you’ve always upheld a high standard of moral character and dignity.
Now it’s time to hear from you! Do you think that Jeopardy should keep going on with a new host when Alex finally takes his leave or should they wrap the show up for good? Let us know what you think in the comments section. And before you go, make sure you hit like and subscribe to our channel if you haven’t already.
