The fascination of Jeopardy!<\/a>, the game that is a fusion of brain teaser, entertainment, and education, has enthralled audiences five nights a week for years. Center stage for the three decades since 1984 has always been host Alex Trebek known for his good-natured, guy-next-door personality. Art Fleming was the original host which aired on NBC from 1964 to 1975.<\/p>\n These letters are published in the book, Healthy Aging\u00ae\u2026Inspirational Letters From Americans<\/a>.<\/em> From the hundreds of letters received, dozens of entrants advised future generations to watch Jeopardy! to keep their minds razor-sharp (only one entrant claimed to find mental stimulation in Wheel of Fortune).<\/p>\n Last year, fans and even those who were not regulars were saddened to hear that Trebek had been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.<\/p>\n The outpouring of his fans and well-wishers was overwhelming and humbling to Trebek who recently turned 80 years old. There have been so many, in fact, that there is a glass case at the Jeopardy! studio filled with the mounds of support letters and cards.<\/p>\n As a private person, Trebek was initially reluctant to share the news with the world but felt he needed to stay ahead of the tabloids and wanted to let people know more about who they have been \u201ccheering on for the past year.\u201d<\/p>\n Book Jacket courtesy of Simon & Schuster<\/a>. Photo: Andrew Eccles<\/p><\/div>\n And, so, he became a hesitant autobiographer finally after having been approached for years to do so. \u201cI didn\u2019t think I had anything pertinent to say to the world\u2026I\u2019m the typical product of my generation: a hardworking breadwinner who looks after his family; does all the repairs he can around the house; enjoys watching television; and thinks a simple dinner of fried chicken, broccoli, and rice is just fine, thank you very much,\u201d Trebek said.<\/p>\n Alex Trebek, The Answer Is\u2026 Reflections on My Life<\/em><\/a> is not a standard memoir, as Trebek puts it. \u201cWe\u2019re just hitting the highlights. It\u2019s a series of quick look-ins, revelations.\u201d<\/p>\n Lest you feel that this would be a gloom and doom book leading up to his diagnosis, don\u2019t worry. It\u2019s an easy, fun read that will make you chuckle, reflect on your own life, and, yes, want to cheer him on even though he is not asking you to do so. The memoir is \u201ca bit of potpourri for those who are hoping to become survivors,\u201d as noted on the book\u2019s dedication page.<\/p>\n The book is cleverly structured with each chapter headline drawing from the game show:<\/p>\n What is<\/em> \u2026The Nickel Range? Pollution? Rheumatism, A Mentor? My First U.S. Job? Courage?\nWho is<\/em> \u2026George Alexander Trebek?\nThe Answer is<\/em> \u2026 Two Dozen Eggs, Neckties, Riding a Stationary Pony, Boarding School, An Important Lesson<\/p>\n Etc.<\/p>\n Alex Trebek on the Jeopardy! set. Photo: Jeopardy! Productions, Used with Permission from Simon & Schuster<\/p><\/div>\n Born in Sudbury, Canada, George Alexander Trebek, the son of George Edward Trebek, has been called Alex since a teenager\u2026 to avoid confusion he said when the phone rang and the caller asked for George.<\/p>\n Growing up, he said he thought he might be \u201ca pilot, a doctor, or the prime minister of Canada.\u201d A summer job that stretched into ten years at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on the top floor of the Chateau Laurier hotel was the beginning of his lifelong career. Volunteering to help during holidays and an offer to substitute for \u201cthe married guys on staff who are going to want to be home with their families,\u201d landed him the chance to be on air at 6 AM doing local news, weather, and stockyard reports.<\/p>\n Trebek details his moves from Ottawa to Toronto announcing the television program, Music Hop, and growing into sporting events, music and ballet. Ultimately, he had seven jobs in ten years \u2026 each one being a stepping stone to the next.<\/p>\n Alex Trebek with wife Jeanie at the 25th Annual Night of 100 Stars Oscar Viewing Gala, Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA. Photo: Deposit Photos<\/p><\/div>\n A graduate of the University of Ottawa and Fordham University, he moved to the United States in 1973. He now lives in Los Angeles with his wife Jean, 24-years his junior, and who he describes as his soul mate. Jean Trebek, 55, is the mother of Alex Trebek’s two children, Matthew and Emily Trebek. They have been married for 30 years.<\/p>\n Before hosting JEOPARDY!, Trebek was the host for such shows as The Wizard of Odds<\/a>, Double Dare<\/a>, High Rollers<\/a>, Battlestars<\/a>, Classic Concentration<\/a>, and To Tell the Truth.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/bookcover.jpg\")
It\u2019s no surprise that game shows are so popular and, for some, addictive. In fact, watching game shows is said to be helpful to mental wellness. So we found 23 years ago, in 1997, when the baby boomers were yet to turn 50, and when we conducted a national letter-writing contest sponsored by the United States Postal Service.<\/p>\nCancer Diagnosis Announcement<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>A New Memoir Published: Alex Trebek, The Answer Is\u2026 Reflections on My Life<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Who is Alex Trebek?<\/h3>\n
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