The entertainment community lost a legend on Sunday when Alex Trebek died at 80 after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. Trebek hosted “Jeopardy!” for 37 years and nearly 8,000 episodes, winning 35 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. After his March 2019 diagnosis, he still did not slow down, recording so many episodes in advance that his final entry won’t air until Christmas Day.

The admiration he inspired was clear. Fans, fellow TV hosts and other stars expressed their love and respect, filling their social media channels.

“Couldn’t we have one nice weekend?” tweeted Jimmy Kimmel, host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “A kind gentleman whose excellence was so consistent, it was easy to take for granted. Rest well, Mr. Trebek.”

Pat Sajak and Vanna White, “Wheel of Fortune” stars, shared moving memories.

“Alex Trebek’s courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him,” Sajak tweeted on Sunday. “… A very sad day.”

On Instagram, White said she will “always be in awe of the way he faced the battle he fought so valiantly, and I’m devastated to lose my longtime friend.”

Jason Alexander of “Seinfeld” wrote, “He was a sweet, smart and graceful gentleman always and will be missed as he rests in gentle peace. Who is Alex Trebek? #RIPAlexTrebek.”

The Sudbury, Ontario, native was a sports fan, too. He announced the Ottawa Senators’ first-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft.

The tributes came from seemingly everywhere, the Montreal Canadiens, Cleveland Cavaliers and pro wrestling included.

JeopardySports tweeted “Who is: Alex Trebek? #JeopardySports #RIPAlexTrebek” with “The game show host will always be the greatest to ever do it, and Jeopardy will never be the same without him.”

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wrote: “6p weeknights will never be the same. So many great memories and thankful to have met him.”

Add comment