LeVar Burton Reveals What He Learned From 'Jeopardy' Snub

The actor was a top fan contender for the hosting gig in 2021.

LeVar Burton isn't bitter over not becoming the host of Jeopardy!

In a new interview with The A.V. Club, the actor looked back at not getting the opportunity, saying, "It really cemented to me that everything happens to me for a reason."

"I thought I had a really good shot at getting the job. What I didn't know at the time was that it really wasn't an audition," he said, referencing his guest stint hosting the show.

When Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek died in 2020, Burton was one of the top picks by fans to become the next host. Fans even went as far as creating a petition to get Burton the job.

The Reading Rainbow host auditioned in 2021, but the gig ultimately went to the show's executive producer Mike Richards. However, Richards didn't last long as host, as he stepped down after sexual harassment allegations came to light.

Related: Mayim Bialik Reveals Her Secret Advice for 'Jeopardy!' Success

"The executive producer, the man who was hired to teach me how to play the game, who said he didn’t want the job but his job was to help them find the right person for the job, that person gave themselves the job,” Burton shared with the publication.

He continued, "I was disappointed, I’m not gonna lie. I had to really sit down and try to figure out: so what, what happened here? What went wrong?"

After Richards' exit, Burton still didn't land the full-time gig, as Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings and Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik took on shared hosting responsibilities.

It's not all negative, however, as Burton previously revealed the good that has come from the situation. In September 2021, he told Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, "The opportunities that have come my way as a result of not getting that gig, I couldn't have dreamt it up."