Alex Trebek's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Ladies Man Alex Trebek Classic Concentration Host Double Dare (1976) Host To Tell the Truth (1990) Host (Feb. …

Main Movie Roles 2007 - The Bucket List 2005 - Little Manhattan 2000 - Charlie's Angels 2000 - Finding Forrester 1999 - Random Hearts 1998 - Jane Austen's Mafia! 1996 - Spy Hard 1993 - Short Cuts 1992 - White Men Can't Jump 1991 - Dying Young

BIOGRAPHY:

Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Trebek graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Philosophy. After his first decision to become a newscaster, he joined the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company), Canada's premier network in 1961. As he was working, he helped organize national news and covered a variety of special events for CBC's radio and television divisions, receiving high praise as a broadcaster who retained his poise and composure in the toughest places. Then, in 1966, he became a Canadian game show host on "Reach for the Top" (1965), and stayed there for the first seven years until he migrated to the United States to host his very first game show in that country, "The Wizard of Odds" (1973), for NBC.

Prior to being selected as the host of "Jeopardy!" (1984), for syndication, he came back to NBC and hosted the revamped version of "Classic Concentration" (1987), which was also his second hit in his almost 30 year career. On this show, he received 4 Emmy nominations, but didn't win. It was cancelled in 1991, when the network stopped making game show for daytime TV.

On May 17, 2002, "Jeopardy!" (1984) celebrated a milestone, the show celebrated its 4000th episode and at the same time, it received another Daytime Emmy for "Outstanding Game Show/Audience Participation", making it its 21st Emmy. Like Bob Barker (I), Alex Trebek had broken the world record as host of TV's #1 quiz show in the country, and he won 2 Emmy Awards and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and, this year, was described as one of the Top 10 Canadians on U.S. Television. Today, as Alex began his 19th year as the host, he remains as popular as any other quizmaster.


TRIVIA:

• Every day he reads the movie book by 'Roger Ebert' (qv).
• When young, Trebek thought about becoming a priest, but changed his mind after spending a summer at a Trappist monastery. He said in an interview for the New York Sunday News, "I took a vow not only of poverty but of silence. And I'm not one to keep my big mouth shut. I enjoy talking." [February 24, 1974]
• Though he's good at pronouncing words in many different languages, he has had difficulty with Welsh and Hawaiian.
• Was 'Mark Goodson (I)' (qv)'s first choice to host the new game show, _"Classic Concentration" (1987)_ (qv) for NBC, which was based on the popular game show, _"Concentration" (1958)_ (qv). He accepted the job and hosted until its demised in 1991, though reruns aired between late 1991 and the end of 1993.
• Sits on the boards of the National Geographic Society Education Foundation and the National Advisory Council for the Literary Volunteers of America.
• Two children: Emily and Matthew
• Is an avid ice skater.
• His hosting duties on _"Jeopardy!" (1984)_ (qv) were carried on most of the CTV networks in Canada but it still ranks #2 behind _"Wheel of Fortune" (1975)_ (qv), in ratings in most U.S. markets where both programs are often in tandem. (2003)