Pat Sajak, the longtime host of “Wheel of Fortune,” will conclude his four-decade tenure as the show’s host after the 2023-24 season.
On Monday, June 12, Sajak confirmed his impending retirement in a statement, noting that the forthcoming 41st season, kicking off in September, will be his last. Despite leaving the on-camera position, Sajak will maintain a connection with the show in a consulting role for the subsequent three years.
76-year-old Sajak has been a key figure in Wheel of Fortune since its inception in 1983, hosting the show’s syndicated version. Prior to that, he was the host of the NBC daytime edition from 1981 to 1989. Alongside co-host Vanna White, Sajak has become an enduring and iconic figure in the realm of television game shows. His departure signifies the conclusion of an extraordinary era for Wheel of Fortune.
Suzanne Prete, the Executive Vice President of Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, expressed her gratitude for Sajak’s contributions. She recognized his 40-year service as the show’s host and highlighted the enormous entertainment he provided for millions of viewers across America.
Sajak’s association with Wheel of Fortune began when he was selected for the hosting role in the NBC daytime edition in 1981, transitioning from his previous job as a weatherman at KNBC in Los Angeles. A year later, Vanna White joined him and together they became the face of the syndicated evening version of Wheel of Fortune in 1983. The show has maintained its popularity and continues to draw an average of more than nine million viewers weekly.
Over the course of his celebrated career, Sajak has earned numerous accolades for his contributions to the game show industry, including three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host. In 2011, Sajak received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys alongside the late Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy! Sajak and White also host ABC’s primetime Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, set to commence its fourth season in the fall.