Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The game show host revealed the heartwrenching news to his fans in a video posted Wednesday, March 6.
“Hi everyone, I have some news to share with all of you and it’s in keeping with my longtime policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! fan base,” he said in the clip. “I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health. So therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information.”
“Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” Alex continued. “Now normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this, and I’m going to keep working. And with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease.”
He added by joking about his stint on Jeopardy!, which he’s held since 1984, noting that he has no choice but to fight the deadly disease for the sake of the series. “Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you.”
Alex’s diagnosis adds to a running list of health issues he’s experienced over the years. Alex previously underwent brain surgery in December 2017, but returned to the show just one month later. He also suffered a minor heart attack in 2012.
There’s no word yet on whether or not he will actually finish out this current season of Jeopardy!, but we do know one thing — the series would never be the same without him.
This story is developing…
