People
Photos
Purpose
Advertisement
Advertisement
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. T
  5. Travolta - Trem
  6. Trebek
  7. Alex Trebek
A photo of Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek 1940 - 2020

Alex Trebek was born on July 22, 1940 in Sudbury, ON Canada to Lucille (Lagacé) Trebek and George Edward Trebek, and had a sister Barbara (Trebek) Lafrance. He married Elaine (Kares) Trebek on September 25, 1974 and they later divorced on May 13, 1982. They had a child Nicky Trebek. He also married Jean (Currivan) Trebek on April 30, 1990, and they were married until Alex's death on November 8, 2020. They had children Matthew Trebek and Emily Trebek.

Alex Trebek
George Alexander (Trebek)
Name
Update name details
Last residence
Update residence details
July 22, 1940
Sudbury, ON, Canada
Birth
Update birth details
November 8, 2020
Los Angeles, California, United States
Death
Update death details
Male
Looking for someone else
Updated: September 2, 2022
Biography ID: 192797350 What's this
Alex Trebek Alex Trebek (1940 - 2020)
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Alex.
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Alex Trebek's History: 1940 - 2020

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.
- Discover how AncientFaces works.

  • Introduction

    Born George Alexander Trebek in Ontario Canada, Alex was best known for being the host of the game show "Jeopardy" from 1984 until his passing. He also hosted "The Wizard of Odds", "Double Dare", "High Rollers", "Battlestars", "Classic Concentration", and "To Tell the Truth". Months before his passing, he laughingly suggested that actress Betty White should take over as host of Jeopardy. Alex was born to George Edward Trebek (originally Terebeychuk), who emigrated from the Ukraine as a child, and Lucille Lagacé, an Ontarian of French heritage. Alex grew up speaking both French and English. George was a chef at a hotel and Alex's first job was as a bellhop at his father's hotel when he was 13. In 1974, Alex married Elaine Callei and he adopted her daughter Nicky. The couple had no other children and they divorced in 1981. In 1990, he married Jean Currivan, a New York real estate project manager. They had 2 children, Matthew and Emily, and remained married until he died. Besides his long and lucrative show business career, he owned and managed a 700 acre ranch near Paso Robles CA called Creston Farms. The farm bred and trained racehorses. He sold the farm in 2008. Scroll down to read Alex Trebek's obituary from TMZ.
  • 07/22
    1940

    Birthday

    July 22, 1940
    Birthdate
    Sudbury, ON Canada
    Birthplace
    ADVERTISEMENT BY

  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Ukrainian and French Canadian

  • Nationality & Locations

    Canada and United States (naturalized in 1998)

  • Early Life & Education

    Sudbury High School, University of Ottawa (degree in Philosophy)

  • Religious Beliefs

    Raised Catholic

  • Professional Career

    Television personality, actor, game show host

  • Personal Life & Family

    English Debating Society at University
  • 11/8
    2020

    Death

    November 8, 2020
    Death date
    Pancreatic cancer
    Cause of death
    Los Angeles, California United States
    Death location
    ADVERTISEMENT BY
  • share
    Memories
    below
Advertisement
Advertisement

4 Memories, Stories & Photos about Alex

Alex Trebek
Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.5k+ favorites
11/08/2020
Alex Trebek
Alex dedicated his life to his passion of entertaining others.
Date & Place:
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
411 favorites
11/08/2020
Alex Trebek once said "I did everything, at one time replacing every announcer in every possible job". A man dedicated to his passion, his last taping of Jeopardy was October 29th, just 10 days before his death. RIP Alex.
Reply
Photo of Barb Begley Osborne Barb Begley Osborne
via Facebook
11/08/2020
Such a handsome man!😍
Reply
Show more
Alex Trebek - Music Hop
Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.5k+ favorites
11/08/2020
Alex Trebek - Music Hop
In the mid-1960s, Alex Trebek was the host of CBC-TV's Music Hop, a CBC-TV teen dance show that aired for several years and featured various musical guests. (Barry Wilson/CBC Still Photo Collection)
Date & Place:
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Leona Sardegna
22 favorites
06/25/2021
I've always admired Alex Trebek. I love these vintage photo's of him.
Thank you for sharing.
Reply
Alex & Jean Trebek on their wedding day
Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
10.5k+ favorites
11/11/2020
Alex & Jean Trebek on their wedding day
Jean Trebek shared this photo of her and Alex on their wedding day via her instagram. She said: "My family and I sincerely thank you all for your compassionate messages and generosity. Your expressions have truly touched our hearts. Thank you so very, very much. Many Blessings to all, Jean Trebek."
Date & Place:
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
32.9k+ favorites
11/08/2020
TMZ Obituary Nov 8 2020
The revered and beloved "Jeopardy!" host since 1984, whose calm but witty presence was must-see television for millions of Americans has died TMZ has learned.

A "Jeopardy!" spokesperson tells TMZ, "Jeopardy is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends."

The TV icon had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer since announcing the news back in March 2019. He immediately started chemo after the diagnosis but made no plans to retire and continued hosting his game show as impressively as ever.

Trebek powered through for a full year -- despite what he called "massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on" -- because he said he realized giving up on life would be a betrayal to his wife, God and other cancer patients.

He pointed out the odds of surviving a second year with pancreatic cancer were just 7 percent, but he hoped he'd be able to celebrate that milestone too. Sadly, he took a turn for the worse.

Alex continued to host "Jeopardy!" recently beginning his 37th season, and earlier this year, he shot the epic 'Greatest of All Time' tournament on prime-time television.

Ken Jennings, who won that 'G.O.A.T.' tournament reacted to Alex's passing, saying, "Alex wasn't just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deep decent man, and I'm grateful for every minute I got to spend with him."

Ken's competitor James Holzhauer added, "It was one of the great privileges of my life to spend time with this courageous man while he fought the battle of his life. You will never be replaced in our hearts, Alex."

"Jeopardy!" says Alex hosted episodes will air through December 25th. His last day taping in the studio was October 29.

The shows executive producer, Mike Richards, says, "Working beside him for the past year and a half as he heroically continued to host "Jeopardy!" was an incredible honor. His belief in the importance of the show and his willingness to push himself to perform at the highest level was the most inspiring demonstration of courage I have ever seen."

After his initial diagnosis, there were several ups and downs for Alex. In May 2019, he announced his tumors had shrunk more than 50 percent, obviously a great sign of progress, but his numbers declined and he began another round of chemotherapy a few months later. Still, he maintained a positive outlook and did a lot of good throughout his ordeal.

His soothing and reassuring voice was on display when he announced having cancer. Trebek -- who was signed to host the show through 2022 -- joked, "Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host 'Jeopardy!' for three more years!"


His commitment to the game show was a two-way street. When Alex took a brief medical leave in 2018 to have surgery for blood clots on his brain after a nasty fall, "Jeopardy!" never aired episodes with a guest host. He also suffered mild heart attacks in 2007 and 2012.

Alex started his career on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961 announcing the news, and quickly gained fame after hosting the high school quiz show, "Reach for the Top."

He introduced himself to U.S. audiences in 1973 when he hosted a new NBC show called "The Wizard of Odds." That would lead to work on a variety of game shows ... including "High Rollers" with his trademark curly hair and classic 'stache and a brief fill-in stint for Chuck Woolery on "Wheel of Fortune."

Then, when the "Jeopardy!" gig -- a revival of the old show -- came up, Alex got the call.

The show gained immense popularity with Alex at the helm - dominating the evening game show biz along with 'Wheel.' Alex -- winner of 6 Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding game show host -- set a Guinness World record in June 2014 for most episodes (6,829) of a game show hosted. Despite his unprecedented and hugely successful run, Alex never viewed himself as a celeb or the "star" of the show. He said as much to Harvey Levin for an episode on "Objectified." Alex also told Levin he was seriously considering retirement before signing a contract extension. He seemed serious at the time - naming 2 potential replacements: L.A. Kings announcer Alex Faust and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates.

Important to note: "Jeopardy!" producers say they are not announcing a new host right now.

Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Ontario, Canada. He majored in philosophy at the University of Ottawa but he had serious ambitions about a career on TV. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998, but not before running the Olympic Torch in 1996 as it made its way to Atlanta.

Alex -- who was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2017 for his iconic achievements -- married Elaine Kares in 1974 and they divorced in 1981. He married again in 1990 , this time to Jean Currivan, with whom he had 2 children - Matthew and Emily.

He was 80. RIP
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
- See how biographies work.
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

Alex Trebek's Family Tree & Friends

Marriage

Elaine (Kares) Trebek

&

Alex Trebek

September 25, 1974
Marriage date
May 13, 1982
Divorce date
ADVERTISEMENT BY
Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek Jul 22, 1940 - Nov 8, 2020
Elaine (Kares) Trebek
Child
Nicky Trebek born Jan 8, 1966
Marriage

Jean (Currivan) Trebek

&

Alex Trebek

April 30, 1990
Marriage date
November 8, 2020
Alex's death date
ADVERTISEMENT BY
Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek Jul 22, 1940 - Nov 8, 2020
Jean (Currivan) Trebek
Child
Emily Trebek born 1993
Matthew Trebek born 1990
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friendships

Alex's Friends

Friends of Alex Friends can be as close as family. Add Alex's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
Advertisement
Advertisement
12 Followers & Sources

Connect with others who remember Alex Trebek to share and discover more memories. People who have contributed to this page are listed below and in the Biography History of changes. Sign in to to view changes.

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Other Biographies

Other Trebek Family Biographies

Trebek, Irene (Jan 10, 1902 - May 12, 1997) Trebek, Barbara (Oct 14, 1941 - Apr 21, 2007) Trebek, Jean Trebek, Emily (Born 1993) Trebek, Matthew (Born 1990) Trebek, Elaine Trebek, Nicky (Born Jan 8, 1966) Trebek, Lucille (Apr 14, 1921 - 2016)
Lafrance , Barbara (Oct 14, 1941 - Apr 21, 2007) Trebek, George (1908 - 1986) Trebek, George (Jul 22, 1940 - Nov 8, 2020) Kares, Elaine (Born Nov 17, 1940) Trebek, Jean (Born Sep 12, 1964) Trebek, Matthew (Born Feb 3, 1991) Trebek, Emily (Born Aug 5, 1993) Trebek, Nicole (Born Jan 8, 1966)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Show more
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. T
  5. Travolta - Trem
  6. Trebek
  7. Alex Trebek
Back to Top
Advertisement
Advertisement