Born in Ontario, Canada, Alex Trebek found a career in television right out of college reporting news for the CBC. He eventually began hosting game shows, a job that fit his on-air skills with ease. Over the years, he hosted a number of programs including Battlestars, Double Dare, High Rollers, and Concentration. He rose to fame as the host of the nationally syndicated version of Jeopardy! that first hit the airwaves in 1984, becoming such a cultural icon that he was parodied by Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live and was cast as a man in black on an episode of The X-Files. Among other duties, Trebek often acted as host of the National Geography Bee, a contest to find the youngster in America who knows the most about geography.
Alex Trebek
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- Once considered becoming a priest but changed his mind after spending a summer at a Trappist monastery.
- Began career as a reporter on Canadian radio and TV in 1961 before becoming a game-show host.
- Came up with the idea of including several separate tournaments for contestants on Jeopardy!, including teens, seniors, celebrities and college students.
- Has landed bit parts (often as himself) in more than 70 movies and TV shows, including the films White Men Can't Jump (1992), Short Cuts (1993) and Charlie's Angels (2000).
- Has done numerous USO tours and won the Bob Hope Entertainment Award for his efforts in 1998.
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the California Broadcasting Association's Hall of Fame. Seven years later, he received a star on the Canada Walk of Fame.
- Has won five Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host.
- Suffered a heart attack in late 2007, returning to work on Jeopardy! early the following year.