In a recent interview with Jane Pauley for CBS Sunday Morning, Jeopardy host, Alex Trebek, 78, talks about his cancer diagnosis and a career that includes 8,000 episodes of the iconic game show.
In 1984, when Trebek debuted on the then-new game show, his mustache, brains, and poise brought instant attention to the philosophy major. Since then, Trebek has been nominated for 31 Daytime Emmy awards and has walked away with six over a span of 35 years. The show has aired longer than many of its regular viewers have been alive.
In the interview, when asked if it has been difficult for him, Trebek deflected saying not only how difficult his condition is for his wife, but also how difficult it is for the caregivers.
Trebek also talked about how people have sent cards, and tweets wishing him well, commenting that he had not realized how much the show has become a part of people’s lives.
For 35 years Alex Trebek has hosted nearly 8,000 episodes of the game show “Jeopardy!” and won six Emmy Awards. And while contestant James Holzhauer’s record-setting streak has been making headlines of late, the biggest news from the show has been Trebek’s fight against pancreatic cancer.
During the interview Trebek had an infectious, encouraging optimism, even humorously referring to wearing a hairpiece—the result of hair loss from chemotherapy. He also joked about having stage 4 cancer, bringing a few laughs from interviewer Pauley.
Though the future is uncertain for Trebek, he says he’ll be back in September.