Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek - American-canadian Television Personality, Birthday and Family

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Alex Trebek's Personal Details

Alex Trebek is a famous television personality and is better known as the host of the popular game show ‘Jeopardy!’ This biography of Alex Trebek provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 22, 1940
NationalityCanadian, American
FamousMedia Personalities, TV Anchors, TV Presenters, American-canadian Television Personality
SpousesJean Currivan Trebek (m. 1990), Elaine Callei Trebek (m. 1974–1981)
Known asGeorge Alexander Trebek
ChildrensEmily Trebek, Matthew Trebek
Universities
  • University of Ottawa
  • Toronto's Malvern Collegiate Institute
  • Lisgar Collegiate Institute
Birth PlaceSudbury, Ontario, Canada
Born CountryCanada
Height173
GenderMale
FatherGeorge Edward Trebek
MotherLucille Lagacé
Net Worth$50 Million as of Apr 11,2017
Sun SignCancer
Born inSudbury, Ontario, Canada
Famous asAmerican-Canadian television personality

Alex Trebek's photo

Who is Alex Trebek?

George Alexander “Alex” Trebek is the host of the highly popular game show ‘Jeopardy!’ that he has been hosting since 1984. ‘Jeopardy!’ is a television game show in which the contestants are presented with general knowledge clues for which they have to form the questions. Trebek was selected to host its syndicated version and proved to be a very capable host. Prior to hosting this game show, he had hosted several other shows like ‘Pitfall’ and ‘The Wizard of Odds’. As a college student he decided to study philosophy though he realized over the duration of his course that he wanted to pursue a career in journalism. He began his professional life as a newscaster and broadcaster for CBC where he specialized in national news. Even though very successful as a newscaster he eventually shifted over to hosting game shows. A native of Canada, he hosted the Canadian quiz show ‘Reach for the Top’ for seven years before moving to the U.S. to further his career. One of his initial jobs in the U.S. was to host the new game show, ‘The Wizard of Odds’. He reached the heights of success when chosen to host the syndicated version of the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ for which he has won several Daytime Emmy Awards.

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Childhood & Early Life

He is the son of George Trebek and Lucille. His father was a chef in a local hotel.

As a young boy he went to Jesuit schools and graduated from Lisgar Collegiate Institute in 1957. He went to the University of Ottawa to study philosophy and received his degree in 1961. While he was at the university he became a member of the English Debating Society.

Career

He began his journalistic career as a newscaster and sportscaster with the CBC channel. His specialty was national news and he soon gained a reputation for being a cool headed and trustworthy journalist. He covered several special events for his channels’ radio and television divisions.

Even though his role as a newscaster was much appreciated, he changed gears and became the host of the Canadian quiz show ‘Reach for the Top’ in 1966 in which teams of high school students competed against each other.

He moved to the U.S. in 1973 to further his career. His first job there was to host the new NBC game show ‘The Wizard of Odds’. The show was short-lived and lasted only one season.

He started hosting the game show ‘High Rollers’ in 1974. He was in the show for its two runs—from 1974-76, and 1978-80, and also in its syndicated season during 1975-76.

During 1977-78 he hosted the second season of ‘The $128,000 Question’. In the show each participant was quizzed in a category of their expertise. The show never registered high viewership ratings and was discontinued after the second season.

After hosting so many game shows, he became very popular as a show host and was invited to make several guest appearances as a panelist or player on several other shows including NBC’s ‘Card Sharks’ and ‘The Magnificent Marble Machine’.

He was asked to host the syndicated version of the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ which was created by the famous Merv Griffin who had also created the ‘Wheel of Fortune’. Trebek began hosting the show in 1984 and is continuing this role till date.

The show ‘Jeopardy!’ is a unique game show in which the contestants are provided clues to general knowledge in the form of answers and have to phrase their responses in the form of questions. The show was very popular and was the winner of several Daytime Emmy Awards.

He created history in 1991 when he became the first person in American broadcast history to host three game shows at the same time—‘Jeopardy!’, ‘Classic Concentration’, and ‘To Tell the Truth’.

Major Works

He is best known as the host of the Award winning game show, ‘Jeopardy!’ which made him a famous household name. He has been hosting the syndicated version of the game show since 1984 and is expected to retire in 2016.

Awards & Achievements

He is the recipient of five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host for the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ the latest win being in 2008.

He received the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Gold Medal for his contribution to geographic education and the popular study of geography in 2010.

Trebek and the show ‘Jeopardy!’ were presented with the Peabody Award in 2011 for "encouraging, celebrating and rewarding knowledge".

He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2011 for his contributions to the field of entertainment.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Elaine Callei in 1974. The marriage ended in divorce in 1981. His second marriage was to Jean Currivan in 1990. The couple has two children.

He is actively involved with the charitable organization World Vision and has traveled to many third world countries with the organization’s projects.

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Alex Trebek's awards

YearNameAward

Other

2006Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host
2008Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host
0
02010 - Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Gold Medal for his contribution to geographic education and the popular study of geography
0 1989-1990 - Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host
0 2003 - Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host

Alex Trebek biography timelines

  • // 1957
    As a young boy he went to Jesuit schools and graduated from Lisgar Collegiate Institute in 1957. He went to the University of Ottawa to study philosophy and received his degree in 1961. While he was at the university he became a member of the English Debating Society.
  • // 1966
    Even though his role as a newscaster was much appreciated, he changed gears and became the host of the Canadian quiz show ‘Reach for the Top’ in 1966 in which teams of high school students competed against each other.
  • // 1973
    He moved to the U.S. in 1973 to further his career. His first job there was to host the new NBC game show ‘The Wizard of Odds’. The show was short-lived and lasted only one season.
  • // 1974
    He started hosting the game show ‘High Rollers’ in 1974. He was in the show for its two runs—from 1974-76, and 1978-80, and also in its syndicated season during 1975-76.
  • // 1977 To 1978
    During 1977-78 he hosted the second season of ‘The $128,000 Question’. In the show each participant was quizzed in a category of their expertise. The show never registered high viewership ratings and was discontinued after the second season.
  • // 1984
    He was asked to host the syndicated version of the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ which was created by the famous Merv Griffin who had also created the ‘Wheel of Fortune’. Trebek began hosting the show in 1984 and is continuing this role till date.
  • // 1991
    He created history in 1991 when he became the first person in American broadcast history to host three game shows at the same time—‘Jeopardy!’, ‘Classic Concentration’, and ‘To Tell the Truth’.
  • // 2008
    He is the recipient of five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host for the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ the latest win being in 2008.
  • // 2010
    He received the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's Gold Medal for his contribution to geographic education and the popular study of geography in 2010.
  • // 2011
    Trebek and the show ‘Jeopardy!’ were presented with the Peabody Award in 2011 for "encouraging, celebrating and rewarding knowledge".
  • // 2011
    He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2011 for his contributions to the field of entertainment.

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Alex Trebek's FAQ

  • What is Alex Trebek birthday?

    Alex Trebek was born at 1940-07-22

  • Where is Alex Trebek's birth place?

    Alex Trebek was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

  • What is Alex Trebek nationalities?

    Alex Trebek's nationalities is Canadian, American

  • Who is Alex Trebek spouses?

    Alex Trebek's spouses is Jean Currivan Trebek (m. 1990), Elaine Callei Trebek (m. 1974–1981)

  • Who is Alex Trebek childrens?

    Alex Trebek's childrens is Emily Trebek, Matthew Trebek

  • What was Alex Trebek universities?

    Alex Trebek studied at University of Ottawa, Toronto's Malvern Collegiate Institute, Lisgar Collegiate Institute

  • How tall is Alex Trebek?

    Alex Trebek's height is 173

  • Who is Alex Trebek's father?

    Alex Trebek's father is George Edward Trebek

  • Who is Alex Trebek's mother?

    Alex Trebek's mother is Lucille Lagacé

  • What is Alex Trebek's sun sign?

    Alex Trebek is Cancer

  • How famous is Alex Trebek?

    Alex Trebek is famouse as American-Canadian television personality