Pat Sajak, renowned as the host of the iconic game show Wheel of Fortune for an impressive four decades, has announced his retirement from the position. In a statement posted on Twitter today, Sajak revealed that the upcoming 2023-2024 season, scheduled to air in September, will be his final tenure as the beloved host.
Expressing gratitude, Sajak wrote, “It has been an incredible journey, and I will share more in the months to come. Thank you all for your tremendous support.” Having served as the host of the widely syndicated game show since 1983, Sajak also helmed a daytime version of the program from 1981 to 1989, solidifying his status as one of the longest-running game show hosts in television history.
In 2019, Sajak surpassed Bob Barker’s previous record by becoming the longest-serving host of any game show, having hosted for an impressive 35 years on The Price Is Right. Out of his 19 nominations, he secured the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host thrice.
Alongside his longtime co-host Vanna White, who has been a fixture on the show since 1982, Sajak has become synonymous with Wheel of Fortune. While no successor has been announced as of yet, his retirement marks the end of an era for game show enthusiasts. Holding the distinction of being the oldest and longest-serving game show host on American television, Sajak assumed this role following the unfortunate passing of the revered Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek in 2020.
Wheel of Fortune will undoubtedly undergo a significant transformation without the presence of Pat Sajak, but we extend our heartfelt wishes for a fulfilling retirement after an incredible 40-year stint as host. If you share our admiration for Pat Sajak, please feel free to share this story.
