Hollywood and ‘Jeopardy!’ Contestants Mourn Alex Trebek: ‘A True, True Gentleman’
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After the news broke on Sunday morning that longtime “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek had died, Hollywood and former “Jeopardy!” contestants alike took to social media to honor him.
According to Sony, Trebek died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer surrounded by family and friends. He taped “Jeopardy!” up until Oct. 29, meaning that episodes Trebek hosted will continue to air through Dec. 25 of this year. During his 36 years as host, Trebek made an immeasurable impact on both people he met and those who watched him through a television screen.
Musician John Legend honored Trebek, writing: “I was obsessed with Jeopardy as a nerdy kid growing up in Ohio. I’ve loved and revered Alex Trebek since I can remember. What an iconic career.”
I was obsessed with Jeopardy as a nerdy kid growing up in Ohio. I’ve loved and revered Alex Trebek since I can remember. What an iconic career. RIP Alex Trebek.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) November 8, 2020
Ryan Reynolds mentioned that Trebek filmed a cameo for his upcoming film “Free Guy.” “He was so gracious and funny. In addition to being curious, stalwart, generous, reassuring and of course, Canadian,” Reynolds wrote. “We love you, Alex. And always will.”
Alex Trebek was kind enough to film a cameo for our film Free Guy last year despite his battle. He was gracious and funny. In addition to being curious, stalwart, generous, reassuring and of course, Canadian. We love you, Alex. And always will.
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 8, 2020
“Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander wrote, “He was a sweet, smart and graceful gentleman always and will be missed as he rests in gentle peace.” He finished his post with, “Who is Alex Trebek?,” playing on the way that “Jeopardy!” contestants must answer all questions.
He was a sweet, smart and graceful gentleman always and will be missed as he rests in gentle peace. Who is Alex Trebek?#RIPAlexTrebek
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) November 8, 2020
Mario Lopez, who has also become a television host, tweeted a photo of him and Trebek with the caption: “An inspiring, strong, distinguished legend of a man. What is Alex Trebek?”
An inspiring, strong, distinguished legend of a man.
What is Alex Trebek? #RIP pic.twitter.com/bzumNChYWq— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) November 8, 2020
Trebek’s fellow game show host Steve Harvey paid tribute by calling him “the classiest game show host of all time.” “His style was real to me… condolences to his entire family and fans,” Harvey wrote.
My heart is so sad over the passing of the classiest game show host of all time!!! His style was real to me …… condolences to his entire family and fans #AlexTrebek pic.twitter.com/3zMFAmpAXT
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) November 8, 2020
Viola Davis called Trebek “A true, true gentleman and courageous hero.”
RIP Alex Trebek. A true, true gentleman and courageous hero. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest 💛 pic.twitter.com/autbyxnlcs
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) November 8, 2020
Former “Jeopardy!” contestant James Holzhauer, who had a 32-game winning streak on the show, wrote: “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.”
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. https://t.co/LLoUASRMa9
— James Holzhauer (@James_Holzhauer) November 8, 2020
Burt Thakur, another “Jeopardy!” contestant who learned English from watching the show, paid tribute to Trebek with a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke. “I am overwhelmed with emotion right now and my heart goes out to the Trebek family,” Thakur added.
When with proud joy we lift Life's red wine up
To drink deep of the mystic shining cup
And ecstasy through all our being leaps—
Death bows his head and weeps.I am overwhelmed with emotion right now and my heart goes out to the Trebek family. #Jeopardy #alextrebek @jeopardy pic.twitter.com/klFwYw9Cau
— Burt Thakur (@albertthakur) November 8, 2020
Ken Jennings, the highest-earning game show contestant of all time, posted a photo of him and Trebek taking a selfie. “Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him,” Jennings tweeted.
Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him. pic.twitter.com/CdHCcbqmp2
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) November 8, 2020
Jackie Fox of rock band The Runaways, who appeared on “Jeopardy!” in 2018, wrote: “I feel so honored to have been able to play five games with this very gracious and capable icon.”
I feel so honored to have been able to play five games with this very gracious and capable icon. Condolences to his friends and family and to the family of past and present Jeopardy staffers and contestants. https://t.co/VTsM6GlX0I
— Jackie Fuchs a/k/a Jackie Fox (@JackieFox1976) November 8, 2020
Chairman of Disney, Robert Iger, tweeted: “He graced us with warmth, wit and pure elegance, which is why we welcomed him into our homes night after night, year after year.”
We mourn the loss of #alextrebek -a friend, a colleague, an icon. He graced us with warmth, wit & pure elegance, which is why we welcomed him into our homes night after night, year after year.
We are deeply saddened for his wife Jean, his family & millions of Jeopardy fans.— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) November 8, 2020
Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, where Trebek was born, wrote: “We have lost an icon. Almost every night for more than three decades, Alex Trebek entertained and educated millions around the world, instilling in so many of us a love for trivia.”
We have lost an icon. Almost every night for more than three decades, Alex Trebek entertained and educated millions around the world, instilling in so many of us a love for trivia. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss. pic.twitter.com/XoobAfJwBv
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 8, 2020
“Growing up, he made me feel like my nerdiness was valuable and I loved learning from watching jeopardy,” Padma Lakshmi wrote. “It was our family’s nightly pleasure.
I’m so saddened that Alex Trebek has passed. Growing up, he made me feel like my nerdiness was valuable and I loved learning from watching jeopardy. It was our family’s nightly pleasure. https://t.co/MQLfQz6Fa1
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) November 8, 2020
Musician Charlie Puth wrote: “The soundtrack of my life was hearing his voice every night at 7 p.m. There will never be a host quite like him ever again.”
My heart is heavy hearing of Alex Trebek’s passing. The soundtrack of my life was hearing his voice every night at 7pm. There will never be a host quite like him ever again. God bless him and his family. And may his legacy forever live on. (Insert final Jeopardy music here.) pic.twitter.com/Qz61Bkamet
— Charlie Puth (@charlieputh) November 8, 2020
Steve LoCascio, President of CBS Television Distribution said in a statement: “Words can’t even describe what a tremendous loss this is for our ‘Jeopardy!’ family. Not only was Alex a television icon, but he was one of the most genuine, kind, caring people you could ever know. The way he openly and bravely battled cancer, while continuing to host the show, was a true inspiration. He has brought joy to the millions of fans – including generations of families —