Alex Trebek Lived His Life One Question At A Time

Trebek joined Jeopardy! when Merv Griffin revived the show in 1984. He went on to become a cultural icon, known as much for his droll sense of humor as his perfectly coifed mustache. To state our answer in the form of a question, "who was Alex Trebek?" Here are the facts, and some are stranger than fiction, including the reason he once said goodbye to his mustache for 13 years!

His First Hosting Gig Was In Canada In 1963

Photo Credit: Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Alex Trebek might be best known as the host of Jeopardy! but that doesn't mean it was the only show he ever hosted. In 1963, Trebek hosted Music Hop in Canada. Three years later he took the reigns of Reach For The Top, a high school quiz show.

Until Jeopardy! came calling in 1984, Trebek bounced around the hosting word. Do you remember The Wizard of Odds? We don't either. He also hosted seven other shows until he filmed a pilot for the revival of America's favorite game show.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trebek Cursed Like A Sailor On Set

ADVERTISEMENT
E. Charbonneau/WireImage/Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment/ Getty Images
E. Charbonneau/WireImage/Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment/ Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek carried himself like a noble professional with contestants when the cameras were rolling, but when they stopped, he can't help but curse. If you've been lucky enough to see a behind-the-scenes "blooper reel" of Trebek then you know what we're talking about.

ADVERTISEMENT

Filming an advertisement for Phone Jeopardy!, Trebek is seen drinking and cursing every time he messes up a line. Watching from home, you'd never assume this was what was going on behind the scenes!

ADVERTISEMENT

Candy And Soda Were His Favorite Foods

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Looking fit and healthy into his 70s, it would be easy to assume Alex Trebek watched his diet like a hawk. The truth couldn't be more wrong. He once admitted that his breakfast of choice used to be a Snickers bar and a Diet Pepsi.

ADVERTISEMENT

Then, after a nutritionist told him to stop, he mixed it up, "I stopped eating Snickers and Diet Pepsi, and I replaced them with Milky Ways and Diet Cokes, so you’re not going to catch me eating properly in the mornings.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The World Was Shocked When He Shaved His 'Stache

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2001, Alex Trebek nearly caused global panic when he decided to shave his signature mustache without warning. He decided on a whim and shaved in between filming shows. When he stepped back into the spotlight, everyone was stunned.

ADVERTISEMENT

When his first mustache free show aired, the nation lost its mind, "it got so much press, I couldn’t believe it. The wars with Iraq or whatever at that time and people are all in a stew over my mustache." To be fair, it was a great lip piece. In 2014, the mustache returned, again on a whim, after a 13-year vacation.

ADVERTISEMENT

If You Stole His Stuff He Would Come After You

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Paul Morigi/WireImage via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Paul Morigi/WireImage via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

One of the worst things that can happen to a person on vacation is when someone sneaks into your hotel room and steals your stuff. When this happened to Alex Trebek in 2011, he took justice into his own hands, chasing down the thief and getting his stuff back.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the process of chasing down the thief, Trebek blew out his Achilles tendon. The real lesson here is that Trebek was a light sleeper. He said he woke up in the middle of the night while the thief was ruffling through his things.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Prefered Eugene Levy's Impersonation To Will Ferrell

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
Photo Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek didn't take himself too seriously and loved that he has been parodied by comedians worldwide. In the United States, Will Ferrell's Saturday Night Live impersonation is far and away the best known. A Canada native, Trebek preferred the impression done by SCTV alumni Eugene Levy.

ADVERTISEMENT

To most audiences, Levy is best known as Jim's Dad in the American Pie movie franchise. To Canadians, he was first known as a sketch comedian on Dave Thomas' SCTV. Trebek said he feels Levy's is more accurate to his own mannerisms.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Broke A Guinness World Record In 2014

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment/Getty Images
E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek was presented with a huge honor in 2014, breaking Bob Barker's Guinness World Record for TV game show episodes hosted. Just how many episodes of Jeopardy! did Trebek have to get through to earn the distinction? In the form of a question, "what is 6,289?"

ADVERTISEMENT

As we've already said, Trebek began hosting the iconic show in 1984 and was behind the podium ever since. He only took a hiatus once, and that was because of a medical emergency.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Owned 100 Suits

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: View Pictures/UIG via Getty Images
Photo Credit: View Pictures/UIG via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

To maintain the illusion of time passing while filming Jeopardy! Alex Trebek has a sizable wardrobe. He claimed to own over 100 suits, more than enough to get him through a few months of filming without having to do laundry!

ADVERTISEMENT

What's most surprising about that statement is that he owned the suits. Typically, the wardrobe is provided by the production company. Maybe he kept his personal suit collection at home, then, ready for any occasion he needs to look his best without people saying, "didn't you wear that last time?"

ADVERTISEMENT

He Was The First Person To Host Three Game Shows At The Same Time

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
ADVERTISEMENT

Only having to work two days a week on Jeopardy! had its advantages. One such advantage is being able to host multiple shows as long as they film on different days. This is exactly what Alex Trebek did in 1991, becoming the first person to host three American game shows at the same time.

ADVERTISEMENT

History was made when Trebek took over hosting duties on, To Tell the Truth, after Lynn Swann left. Aside from Jeopardy! his other show was Classic Concentration on NBC. Shortly after Trebek took over for Swann, To Tell the Truth, was canceled by the network.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trebek Loved Watching Himself Unless The Lakers Are On

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek was a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan. He watched the team religiously during the season, making sure to never miss a shot. And when the Lakers weren't on, his favorite activity became watching himself host Jeopardy! which doesn't sound weird or narcissistic at all.

ADVERTISEMENT

We wonder with how technology has advanced, just how much Jeopardy! Alex Trebek really watched. In theory, he could stream it online 24/7 if he chose to. Of course, we know he didn't. Not if the Lakers were on or he was building a new house, at least.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Majored In Philosophy Because Classes Were In The Morning

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Doublespace/View Pictures/UIG via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Doublespace/View Pictures/UIG via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek attended the University of Ottawa but apparently had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He knew he needed a job to pay for his tuition though, and the best jobs started in the afternoon. With that in mind, Trebek chose the major with the most morning classes: Philosophy.

ADVERTISEMENT

Able to get his degree in the morning and work in the evenings was perfect for Trebek. He must have liked the program! Since becoming a major celebrity, Trebek has donated generously to the University and held a "Distinguished Lecture Series" there in 2016.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Gave Up Hockey After Shaving His Mustache

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

This one is probably a coincidence, but Alex Trebek said he gave up playing hockey after shaving his mustache. A longtime hockey fan, he still watched the sport but didn't play anymore. We think that the workout was no longer worth the effort, but maybe getting rid of the 'stache destroyed his source of power.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whatever the case, he still loved hockey. Trebek even said if he ever left Jeopardy! he thought the announcer for the Los Angeles Kings should take over as host.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Produced The First Three Episodes Of Jeopardy! Himself

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Frank Lennon/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Frank Lennon/Toronto Star via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

From 1984 until 1987, Alex Trebek did more than host Jeopardy! He also produced it. This meant he wasn't working two days a week and only 24 hours. He was probably working more than five days a week and definitely more than 40 hours! He only stopped producing the game show when the opportunity came to host the second one.

ADVERTISEMENT

That second show, of course, was Classic Concentration. Trebek pulled double hosting duty until 1991 when it became triple hosting duty. By the end of 1991, both To Tell the Truth and Classic Concentration were canceled.

ADVERTISEMENT

The X-Files Cast Trebek As A Man In Black

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: FOX via Getty Images
Photo Credit: FOX via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Did you know that Alex Trebek guest-starred in one of the most famous episodes of The X-Files? "Jose Chung's From Outer Space" is the season three episode of the science fiction classic about an author questioning Mulder and Scully about an alien investigation for his new book.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the second half of the episode, Mulder is confronted by two men in black, one played by Jesse Ventura and the other by Alex Trebek. Credited as "Man in Black 2" the role is one of the only speaking roles where Trebek wasn't playing himself.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Once Scared A Little Girl Talking About Dead Pets

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

While filming a special week of Jeopardy! in DC in 2012, Alex Trebek took a break from filming to let the audience ask him questions. Near the end of the period, a little girl asked him if he had any pets. He said he had a dog, then told everyone about the pets he used to have and how they all died.

ADVERTISEMENT

One of his old dogs, named Spammer, was eaten by a coyote. The little girl was left in shock.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Once Owned A Winery In California

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you ever drank Creston Wine before 2002, then you enjoyed the brand while it was under the ownership of Alex Trebek. He invested in the winery in 1986 and helped run the company until 2001 when a virus wiped out the vineyard's grapes.

ADVERTISEMENT

With nothing growing and no interest in replanting, Trebek and the other investors put the property up for sale. After the sale, one of the investors said it wasn't a "fire sale" but a choice by the investors to go "in different directions."

ADVERTISEMENT

He Hosted the "National Geographic Bee" For 25 Years

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: NASA via Getty Images
Photo Credit: NASA via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2013, Alex Trebek stepped down as the host of the National Geographic Bee. The tournament tests the country's brightest students on their knowledge of the world. Trebek called it quits as host so that he could travel the world more, maybe inspired after talking about lavish locales for so long.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trebek was somber when speaking about his tough decision to leave the tournament, "It's going to be like leaving a family because we have become a lot like a family over the past quarter-century."

ADVERTISEMENT

He Framed A Bounced Check From A Failed Game Show

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

You can't say Alex Trebek took himself too seriously. One of his most prized possessions is a reminder of past failure. Hanging in his house or office (we're not sure which), Trebek had a framed check for $49,000 from a failed game show he once hosted.

ADVERTISEMENT

The failed gig happened in the '80s and was likely Pitfall, a Canadian production that ran for one season. When the production company went bankrupt in 1982 they were unable to pay several staff members, including Trebek.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trebek Made $10 Million For Two Days Of Work A Week

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Wodicka/ullstein bild via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Wodicka/ullstein bild via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

When Alex Trebek signed his last contract with the producers of Jeopardy! it was for $10 million a year. That's a lot of dough for two days of work a week! The show airs five nights a week, but that doesn't mean it's filmed daily.

ADVERTISEMENT

Between filming episodes in a day, Trebek would go backstage and change suits. Remember, when he shaved his mustache, he did it between filming episodes, not after waking up refreshed one morning. His two days of work ran about 12 hours each. It's okay to be jealous.

ADVERTISEMENT

Alan Thicke Gave Him His Big Break

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 1973, fellow Canadian Alan Thicke called Alex Trebek with a job offer. The Wizard of Odds brought Trebek stateside and introduced him to a brand new audience. The show was canceled one year later, but Trebek had no plans to give up on his dreams.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trebek transitioned from The Wizard of Odds to High Rollers, Double Dare, and The $128,000 Question before finally finding stability with Jeopardy! In some cases, Trebek even hosted multiple shows at the same time, with some forcing him to commute between Canada and the United States.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trebek Came Up With Tournament Themes For Jeopardy!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

If you've ever wondered where Jeopardy! gets its ideas for its special tournament, the answer is Alex Trebek. From the "Teen Tournament" to the "Tournament of Champions," the man with the mustache is responsible for creating these special game show events.

ADVERTISEMENT

The "Teen Tournament" first aired in 1987, three years into Trebek's hosting duties. It has run at least once every season since. The only exception is the 23rd season when the tournament was held twice.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Almost Became A Priest

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

As a young boy, Alex Trebek didn't think he was going to become a game show host. He had dreams of becoming a priest. His mind was changed one year as a teenager after visiting a Trappist monastery.

ADVERTISEMENT

We'd say he made the right choice. The world seems to love the sounds of his voice just as much as he does.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Refused To Answer A Question On Another Game Show

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Credit: Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

During Regis Philbin's last show as host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, he called Alex Trebek to help answer a question. Trebek refused to answer, saying he didn't want to have his intelligence tested.

ADVERTISEMENT

Don't worry, Alex, we'd never question your intelligence! Of course, it would have been fun to see Trebek accept the challenge and prove just how much he learned as host of America's most popular quiz show.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Was The First Choice To Host Jeopardy!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Steve Eichner/WireImage via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Steve Eichner/WireImage via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

When Merv Griffin was looking for a host to revive Jeopardy! in 1984, he had the perfect host in mind. Alex Trebek was the super producers' first choice to host the revamped game show. We guess he has good instincts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Griffin fell in love with Alex Trebek as a host when he subbed for Chuck Woolery on Wheel of Fortune before Pat Sajak took over. When Trebek flew auditioned for Jeopardy! he was given the job on the spot.

ADVERTISEMENT

His Real Name Was George

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek was not really "Alex Trebek". His birth name was George Trebek. So where does the Alex part come in? Alexander is his middle name. Let's be honest though, Alex Trebek sounds better than George Trebek.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not that George Trebek is a bad name; it's just not a great Hollywood name. Do you know many stars in Hollywood don't go by their real names? Did you know Michael Keaton is really named Michael Douglas?

ADVERTISEMENT

He And Pat Sajak Switched Places Once

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

On April Fools Day in 1997, Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak switched game shows. Trebek took the reigns of Wheel of Fortune. In place of Vanna White, Trebek chose Sajak's wife as his co-host.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sajak and Vanna White appeared as contestants on the show, donating their winnings to the American Cancer Society and the Boy Scouts of America. Sajak's episode of Jeopardy! aired the same day, and he was forced to host the show without the comfort of his regular co-host.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Spoke 17 Different Languages

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Michael Stuparyk/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Michael Stuparyk/Toronto Star via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Actually, the number changes with each interview, but by some estimations, Alex Trebek could speak 17 different languages. In one interview he claimed he could only speak English and French fluently but could get by speaking five languages.

ADVERTISEMENT

We guess to host Jeopardy! you have to be pretty smart! Trebek is also an avid traveler, so knowing enough of certain languages to get by is logical. Imagine how much money he would have to spend on translators otherwise!

ADVERTISEMENT

He Didn't Write Down Notes Between Clues

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Kris Connor/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Kris Connor/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

To the naked eye, it looked like Alex Trebek writes down notes on the card he carries with himself. The truth is he really crossed off clues so he didn't read the wrong one on accident. He wasn't writing down facts for trivia at all!

ADVERTISEMENT

We think this is pretty cool. It's not a big thing, but one of those little things that makes a big difference. Just think how unwatchable the show would be if Trebek had to scramble to read the next clue without messing up.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Used To Breed Horses

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Jeopardy! only films two days a week, leaving Alex Trebek a lot of time for other things. One of his interests that he developed through the years is breeding horses. Like his winery, Trebek owned an operation called Creston Farms to take his hobby to the extreme.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2005, however, Trebek sold Creston Farms to Dwain Davis, an investment banker looking to get into breeding. Dwain renamed the farm Windfall Farms and has kept is still in business today in Paso Robles, California.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Included A Jeopardy! Joke In His Wedding Vows

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Photo Credit: ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek made sure to lighten the mood at his first wedding by including a Jeopardy! joke into his vows. Standing in front of Jean Currivan at the altar, Trebek responded by saying, "the answer is yes" instead of "I do."

ADVERTISEMENT

Currivan was Trebek's second wife. They married in 1990 and stayed together up until Trebek's passing in 2020. Impressive for a Hollywood marriage! Trebek's first marriage was to Elaine Kares. Their nuptials lasted seven years.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Once Bought A House For Its Tennis Court

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Alex
J. Countess/WireImage
J. Countess/WireImage
ADVERTISEMENT

When you're rich you do weird things. Alex Trebek is no different, one time buying a house just so he could use its tennis court. The purchase was made in the '90s and we're sure he has no regrets.

ADVERTISEMENT

At some point, Trebek began renting the house out, most famously to Pete and Carol Rose. When they moved in, the plumbing and electricity were shot and they demanded Trebek fix the problem. Knowing how handy he is with tools, we're assuming he did.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Ran With The Olympic Torch In 1996

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Photo Credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 1996, the Olympics were held in Atlanta and needed people to help carry it there. When the torch arrived in Jacksonville, Florida, Alex Trebek became its bearer. That's a pretty amazing honor for one of the world's premier sporting events.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 1996 Summer Olympics cost the United States an estimated $4.1 billion. That number more than doubled the $1.8 billion the 1988 Olympics in Los Angeles cost! We don't even want to know what the 2026 World Cup is going to cost (the United States is hosting).

ADVERTISEMENT

He Appeared On Family Feud Once

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: ABC Television/Fotos International/Getty Images
Photo Credit: ABC Television/Fotos International/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

On Richard Dawson's last episode of Family Feud, Alex Trebek made an appearance, but not as a guest. Don't forget, Trebek didn't compete. Instead, he came on the show to say goodbye to the legendary host.

ADVERTISEMENT

More importantly, he thanked Richard Dawson for always keeping Trebek's name in the air, even when he was off it. The respect really shows you how tight-knit of a community game show has.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Appeared On The Final Episode Of The Colbert Show

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post
ADVERTISEMENT

When Stephen Colbert left Comedy Central to CBS, he asked Alex Trebek to help send him off. He was introduced as "the one with all the answers" and greeted Colbert as he drove off in a sleigh driven by Abraham Lincoln and Santa Claus.

ADVERTISEMENT

The appearance wasn't the only time Trebek parodied himself. He guest-starred on a number of scripted shows as himself, including Hot In Cleveland and How I Met Your Mother. The latter show was fond of making fun of Canada and its culture during its eight-year run.

ADVERTISEMENT

He Was A Big Supporter Of The Military

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Alex Trebek felt very strongly about supporting the troops overseas. He was so passionate about it, in fact, that he became involved with the USO in 1995. Along with the crew from Jeopardy! Trebek has traveled to military installations around the world to meet the troops.

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, he was not looking to say hello. Trebek used the trips to scout new contestants for the show. Is there a better way to pay back our heroes than by giving them a chance to win thousands of dollars on their return home?

ADVERTISEMENT

He Once Bought A Mountain To Build A House

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM
Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM
ADVERTISEMENT

Proving no task is too small, Alex Trebek once bought a piece of a mountain for $1.5 million just so he could build a house on top of it. Asked about the ambitious task, he remarked, "We'll have to cut the top off of the mountain to make a pad, but that's the kind of thing I enjoy doing."

ADVERTISEMENT

Before building a home on a mountain, Trebek lived in another home he built on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. Basically, he loves hosting Jeopardy! and he loves building things. He truly was a man of simple pleasures.

ADVERTISEMENT

Who Needs Pants? Trebek Didn't For One Special Episode

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

During the Tournament of Champions one year, the contestants were so nervous they agreed to compete on Jeopardy! without wearing pants. In a show of solidarity, Alex Trebek agreed to host the show that same way. When the cameras rolled, and Trebek walked on stage, his pants were nowhere to be seen.

ADVERTISEMENT

Moments later, Trebek had cameras go behind the contestants, only to learn all of them were wearing pants. He quickly ran off-screen to grab his. When he returned, pants on, the show carried on as if nothing awkward had just happened.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trebek Passed Away At 80 Years Old

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1147259015
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

After a tough battle against stage 4 pancreatic cancer, the beloved Jeopardy! host passed away on November 8, 2020 at the age of 80. Trebek passed away on a Sunday morning, announced by the official Jeopardy! Twitter account.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fans mourned the loss of Trebek as word spread.