Net Worth Ranker
What Is Alex Trebek’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing on November 8, 2020, Alex Trebek’s net worth was estimated to be $75 million. This substantial net worth was primarily built over a career spanning several decades, with the bulk of it stemming from his role as the host of “Jeopardy!” His financial stability was further bolstered by various television appearances, endorsements, and shrewd real estate investments.
Alex Trebek’s “Jeopardy!” Salary Details
Alex Trebek’s annual salary from “Jeopardy!” was $18 million. Given that the show taped for approximately 46 days each year, with Trebek filming five episodes per day, his earnings broke down to around $391,000 per taping day, or approximately $78,000 for each episode. By comparison, his counterparts at “Wheel of Fortune” earned different amounts; Vanna White’s salary was $3 million per year, while Pat Sajak’s was $15 million annually. Trebek’s contract with “Jeopardy!” was renegotiated multiple times throughout his 36-year tenure, reflecting his indispensable role in the show’s success. Specific details of these contract negotiations are not publicly available, but industry insiders suggest that Trebek’s salary grew substantially over time, commensurate with the show’s increasing popularity and profitability.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
George Alexander Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a bilingual household with a Ukrainian immigrant father, George Edward Trebek, and a Franco-Ontarian mother, Lucille Lagacé, he was fluent in both English and French. He attended Sudbury High School, now known as Sudbury Secondary School, before pursuing a degree in philosophy from the University of Ottawa. Trebek graduated in 1961. Almost immediately after graduating, Trebek began his broadcasting career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He started as a fill-in announcer, quickly advancing to roles such as reading the national news and covering special events for both television and radio divisions of the CBC. His first hosting role came in 1963 with the Canadian music program “Music Hop.” He later hosted the high school quiz show “Reach for the Top” (1966) and the weekly afternoon game show “Strategy” (1969). From 1967 to 1970, he also served as the CBC host for classical music programs. In 1973, Alex Trebek transitioned to the United States to host “The Wizard of Odds” for NBC in 1974.
Alex Trebek’s Hosting Career Before “Jeopardy!”
Before his iconic role on “Jeopardy!,” Alex Trebek built a diverse hosting career. In 1974, he moved to the United States to host “The Wizard of Odds” on NBC. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, he hosted other shows, including “High Rollers” for NBC, the second season of “The $128,000 Question,” and “Double Dare,” which was his only stint at CBS. Trebek also hosted “Battlestars” on NBC, which ran for only six months from October 1981 to April 1982. One notable experience involved hosting “Pitfall,” where he was not paid due to the production company, Catalena Productions, declaring bankruptcy. These early hosting experiences helped hone Trebek’s skills and versatility, setting the stage for his eventual success with “Jeopardy!”.
The “Jeopardy!” Era: A Transformative Role
In 1984, Alex Trebek was selected to host a revival of the game show “Jeopardy!,” working closely with game show media mogul Merv Griffin. He secured the role after the original host, Art Fleming, declined the project due to creative differences. The revived “Jeopardy!” quickly became a hit, eventually winning a record 33 Daytime Emmy Awards. Trebek’s tenure as host was marked by consistent ratings success and critical acclaim, solidifying his status as a television icon. In 2014, Trebek set a Guinness World Record for hosting 6,829 episodes of “Jeopardy!,” surpassing Bob Barker’s record from “The Price is Right.” In 1991, he made broadcast history by hosting three American game shows simultaneously: “To Tell the Truth,” “Classic Concentration,” and “Jeopardy!”. Alex Trebek’s association with “Jeopardy!” was not merely a job but a defining chapter in his career, contributing significantly to his net worth and legacy.
Television Appearances Beyond Hosting
Beyond his primary hosting duties, Alex Trebek made numerous appearances on television as a panelist or player. In 1980, he participated in a week-long round-robin tournament on NBC’s “Card Sharks” for charity, alongside other game show hosts such as Allen Ludden, Bill Cullen, Wink Martindale, Jack Clark, and Gene Rayburn; Alex won this tournament. He also appeared on “The Magnificent Marable Machine” in 1975 and “To Say the Least” in 1978, both NBC productions. In 1976, Trebek teamed up with Jim McKrell on “Celebrity Bowling,” winning their match against Dick Gautier and Scatman Crothers. These appearances further cemented Trebek’s status as a ubiquitous and well-loved figure in television.
Personal Life and Relationships
Alex Trebek’s personal life included two marriages. He married businesswoman Elaine Callei in 1974; they divorced in 1981 and had no children. In 1990, he married Jean Currivan, a real estate project manager, and they had two children together. Trebek became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1998. In March 2019, he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer and underwent aggressive treatment. He survived one year of cancer treatment as of March 2020. He died on November 8, 2020, at the age of 80. While specific details about his personal spending habits are not widely publicized, it’s known that Trebek maintained a comfortable lifestyle reflective of his substantial income and net worth.
Philanthropic Contributions
Alex Trebek was known for his philanthropic efforts. In a 2014 podcast interview with “Nerdist,” Trebek stated that he donated a significant portion of his income to charity each year. In 1998, he donated 74 acres of property in the Hollywood Hills to the Santa Monica Conservancy, doubling the size of the public parkland, which was already popular with hikers and cyclists. In 2016, he donated $5 million to the University of Ottawa to fund the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue. His total donations to the university, his alma mater, amounted to $7.5 million. These charitable contributions underscore Trebek’s commitment to giving back and supporting causes he believed in.
Alex Trebek’s Real Estate Portfolio
Alex Trebek’s real estate portfolio included several notable properties. His primary residence was a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Studio City, California, which he purchased in 1991 for $2.15 million. After his death, in January 2022, his widow listed this home for sale for just under $7 million, with their daughter, Emily Trebek, serving as the real estate agent. In the mid-1990s, Trebek acquired a 724-acre horse ranch in Creston, California, for $4.1 million. He sold this ranch in 2005 for $10 million. In 2019, he listed his 30-acre lake home in Nacimiento, California, for $1.4 million, selling it within a few months for $1.3 million. These real estate transactions reflect Trebek’s savvy investment strategies and contribute significantly to his overall net worth.
