By Adam S. Levy, Dailymail.com
00:51 Jun 13, 2023, updated 02:28 Jun 13, 2023
- Since 1983, Sajak has hosted over 7,500 game shows.
- He tweeted on Monday: “I have decided that my 41st season starting in September will be my last.”
Pat Sajak says he’s retiring from Wheel of Fortune after more than 40 years.
“Well, the time has come,” the 76-year-old popular host said in a tweet Monday. “We have decided that the 41st season, which starts in September, will be our last.
He went on to say, “It’s been an amazing trip. I’ll have more to say in the coming months.” Thank you very much to all of you. (At least, clickbait sites will be busy!)”
“Thank you to the best hosts in the industry,” the long-running game show tweeted. Pat, without you, the Wheel of Fortune wouldn’t be what it is today. We look forward to making Season 41 even better than ever!”
From 1983 to 2023, Sajak has hosted 7748 nighttime episodes of the series, according to iMDb on Monday.
Vanna White, 66, Sajak’s longtime co-star on the popular game show, had yet to announce her departure from the series on her Instagram and Twitter accounts as of Monday afternoon.
Suzanne Plate, executive vice president of game programming for Sony Pictures Television, said in a statement, “Pat has been a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ host for an astonishing 40 years and has been a hit across America. It has entertained millions of viewers.”
“We are extremely grateful and proud to have Pat as our host for so many years and look forward to celebrating his incredible career throughout the next season.”
Prete said Sajak “has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his hosting last year,” adding, “We are thrilled to have him close to the Wheel of Fortune family. I do!” he added.
Sajak has hosted the evening edition of the show with White since 1983. He started as a mid-day series host in 1981 and left that edition in 1989 to host his own late-night series. The daytime edition was discontinued in 1991.
He has been nominated 22 times and won three Daytime Emmy Awards for his work as a host on the series and its spin-offs. In 2011, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on his classic television show.
Sajak has been a consistent presence on the long-running series, which he has helmed for 40 years, and was rarely absent from the show.
He and White switched roles on this episode in November 1996 when he was battling laryngitis.
Recording was interrupted in November 2019 due to having to undergo emergency intestinal surgery, and was hosted by White.
He hinted at his early departure from the series, saying: entertainment tonight “The years go by so fast,” he said in September. We are nearing the end. I don’t plan on doing this for another 40 years. The end is near. ‘
In addition to his role in Wheel of Fortune, Sajak has appeared in King of Queens, The Larry Sanders Show, The Commish, Santa Barbara, 227, Gimme A・Break!” and many other TV shows. and the A team.
Sajak is the father of two adult children, son Patrick, 32, and daughter Maggie, 28, with his wife Leslie Brown.
Maggie has worked on the series for the past two years as a social media correspondent.
Sajak received praise from many fans for his announcement.
“I will miss you!” Happy retirement! ‘ wrote one fan, while another wrote, ‘Inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.’ Guide Pat anywhere!
Another fan warmly remarked, “A classic icon in our home of always wonderfully dry wit and laughter.” Make your TV huge!
“Thank you for a wonderful 42 years.
Another fan said: “Things wouldn’t be the same without you in charge, but it was a great run.”
