Alex Trebek was beloved by the game show industry.
The iconic “Jeopardy!” host died at the age of 80 in November after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and is now being remembered by some of his contemporaries: “Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
“I knew Alex for almost 40 years, and he’s just been a good friend,” White, 63, told Entertainment Tonight. “Through the years, I have gotten to know his wife and his kids and he is just part of the family.”
Pat Sajak and Vanna White remember Alex Trebek: 'He is just part of the family' A pair of game show legends are paying their respects to another. Pat Sajak and Vanna White are speaking out about.
Sajak, 74, took special note of Trebek’s admirable and decades-long career on television.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ hosts Pat Sajak (left) and Vanna White (center) opened up about their ‘admiration’ for ‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek (right) after his death. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)
“Just on a professional level, I have been at this a long time and I really admire what he has done, and he had done so much,” he said.
- Vanna White gave an update on Alex Trebek's battle with cancer as she fills in for 'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) He returned to hosting in September.
- Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak and Vanna White Share Memories of Their Time With Alex Trebek - YouTube ET spoke with the longtime duo about the star-studded 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,' episodes.
Sajak continued: “When I started the show… Alex had already done a half a dozen, maybe more, game shows here and in Canada, he has done a bunch of them, and was always highly professional and was like the perfect match for his show.”
Trebek served as the host of “Jeopardy!” since 1984 and earned himself countless awards and nominations for his work, not to mention a massive, adoring and multi-generational fan base.
Reflecting on Trebek’s professional accomplishments, Sajak gushed, “As a fellow professional, the admiration is off the charts.”
Alex Trebek died in November after a battle with pancreatic cancer. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
Before his death, Trebek pre-taped a number of “Jeopardy!” episodes, the last of which is set to air on Friday. A string of guest hosts, including champ Ken Jennings and reportedly Katie Couric, will serve in the interim before a permanent replacement is named.
“Wheel of Fortune” is about to undergo a change as well as they venture into primetime with a special featuring celebrity contestants.
“In 38 years, we have never been on primetime, so why not do it now?” asked White, known for her tenure as the show’s letter-turner. “It’s a positive thing, it’s a family thing, celebrities are excited, we are excited, we are giving away lots of money to lots of charities, so that was really special.”
Pat Sajak and Vanna White are looking back at their friendship with Alex Trebek. The Wheel of Fortune stars opened up to ET and reflected on the late Jeopardy! host's professionalism and legacy.
'I knew Alex for almost 40 years, and he's just been a good friend,' White shared with ET's Kevin Frazier on Wednesday. 'Through the years, I have gotten to know his wife and his kids and he is just part of the family.'
'Just on a professional level, I have been at this a long time and I really admire what he has done, and he had done so much,' Sajak said. 'When I started the show... Alex had already done a half a dozen, maybe more, game shows here and in Canada, he has done a bunch of them, and was always highly professional and was like the perfect match for his show.'
Trebek died on Nov. 8, after a battle with stage four pancreatic cancer. He was 80. Trebek's final episodes of Jeopardy!, recorded shortly before his death, kicked off this week and will wrap up on Friday, with a special tribute to the celebrated TV personality's life and legacy.
Looking back at Trebek's award-winning and lengthy career, Sajak marveled, 'As a fellow professional, the admiration is off the charts.'
Meanwhile, this week marks a new chapter for Wheel of Fortune as well, with the start of their first-ever primetime special, featuring celebrity contestants.
Pat Sajak And Alex Trebek
'In 38 years, we have never been on primetime, so why not do it now?' White shared. 'It's a positive thing, it's a family thing, celebrities are excited, we are excited, we are giving away lots of money to lots of charities, so that was really special.'
'What I did not realize is that when you cross the line from 7:30... into primetime, at 8 o'clock, you actually have to show a passport,' Sajak quipped. 'It's a whole different [world].'
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune kicks off Thursday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with special celeb contestants Leslie Jones, Grey's Anatomy star Chandra Wilson and pro skateboarding icon Tony Hawk.
This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors.
If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page.
Pat Sajak And Vanna White Tribute To Alex Trebek
RELATED CONTENT: