Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek Died After Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Alex Trebek, host of the popular game show Jeopardy! died today, Nov. 8, 2020, according to a tweet from Jeopardy!. He was 80 years old.

“Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex,” the tweet read.

In March of 2019, Trebek announced that he was given a diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer. Two months later, in May, he discussed his diagnosis, treatment, and resulting depression during an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America.

“I have had kidney stones, I have had ruptured disks, so I am used to dealing with pain,” he said during the interview with Robin Roberts. “But what I am not used to dealing with is these surges that come on suddenly of deep, deep sadness. And it brings tears to my eyes.”

Unsuspecting viewers of the show may not have realized that Trebek was facing such difficulties, as he continued out his hosting duties of Jeopardy!; Trebek had been the face of the show for more than 3 decades.Trebek had been the face of the show for more than 3 decades. In May, the game show host said that his cancer was, “near remission.”

However, in a July interview with “The New York times,” Trebek, a Canadian native, discussed that the disease — and its treatments – were leaving him feeling ill.

Trebek is being remembered fondly on social media, with former contestant James Holzhauer tweeting, "It was one of the great privileges of my life to spend time with this courageous man while he fought the battle of his life. You will never be replaced in our hearts, Alex."

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