Alex Trebek

George Alexander Trebek (birth name Giorgi Suka-Alex Trebek, born July 22, 1940), is a well known Canadian game show host of the syndicated version of the popular Jeopardy! television program for more than 20 years. He has hosted numerous game/quiz shows and has appeared many times in movies and television series, usually as himself.

Honors and Awards

Having skillfully guided the series to years of unprecedented success, Alex Trebek has been personally honored with two Emmy Awards (best television host) and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (located at 6501 Hollywood Boulevard, near those for Ann-Margret and Vincent Price).

Related Topics:
Emmy Award - Hollywood Walk of Fame - Ann-Margret - Vincent Price

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Trebek is active with a number of other educational organizations and charities, donates a great deal of his free time to touring overseas with the USO, and serving as a spokesman for World Vision. A favorite role of his is host of the annual National Geographic Bee in the U.S. and Canada. He is on the boards of the National Geographic Society Education Foundation and the National Advisory Council for the Literary Volunteers of America. Active with the World Vision charitable organization, he has traveled to many Third World countries with World Vision projects, taping reports on the group's efforts on behalf of children around the world.

Related Topics:
USO - World Vision - National Geographic Bee - National Geographic Society - Literary Volunteers of America

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Trebek Hall

There is also a tale about Trebek that is in constant circulation at his alma mater, the University of Ottawa. Around 1999, a new dormitory was constructed on campus. It is said that the administration had planned to name it "Trebek Hall", but when Trebek was asked he answered, "Not until I'm dead." To this day the residence is still named, simply, "New Residence."

Related Topics:
Alma mater - University of Ottawa - 1999

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It is interesting to note, however, that it is the only University of Ottawa residence without a "proper" name, such as Marchand Residence, Thompson Residence, etc. Additionally, it is no longer the newest residence on campus, as another was completed in 2004 and named "Hyman Soloway Residence" in 2005. This has lead many students to joke that the university's administration is waiting for Trebek to change his mind or die.

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Just kidding

In 1997, the producers of Wheel of Fortune (the same ones who also produce Jeopardy!) were so impressed by Trebek's hosting skills that they let him switch positions with Wheel's Pat Sajak for an April Fool's edition of both shows. While Sajak took over the hosting duties on Jeopardy!, Trebek had Sajak and his cohost Vanna White as contestants on Wheel. Sajak's wife was in charge of revealing the letters on the letterboard (a duty normally handled by White).

Related Topics:
1997 - Wheel of Fortune - Pat Sajak - April Fool's - Vanna White - Letterboard

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