Jeopardy bid farewell to its longtime host Alex Trebek Friday night (January 8), two months after the beloved host passed away from stage IV pancreatic cancer at age 80.
Trebek’s final Jeopardy episode was filmed just ten days before his death on November 8th. Prior to the show’s broadcast Friday evening, Jeopardy released a video tribute to Trebek on Twitter that included clips of him over the course of his 37-season run as host set to Peter Allen’s “Once Before I Go.”
Alex Trebek announced his cancer diagnosis in March 2019, saying, “Just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Now, normally the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m gonna fight this and I’m gonna keep working and with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease.”
One year later, Trebek told Good Morning America that he was planning his final Jeopardy appearance.
“It will be a significant moment. I will say my goodbyes and I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But, I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me, then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.’”
Trebek concluded his final show that aired Friday (January 8) by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for spending the time with us. See you next week.”
Fans showed their love and support for Trebek and his family on social media following the conclusion of his final show.
“We’ll see you again next week.”
-Alex Trebek #Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/CbozbPDEpc— Grant Thomas (@GrantTKennedy) January 9, 2021
“Thank you ladies and gentlemen for spending the time with us, we’ll see you again next week.”
I am broken. #Jeopardy #AlexTrebek pic.twitter.com/8cL5mzGGI7
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) January 9, 2021
Goodbye #AlexTrebek. Thank you for the many memories through the years. You are truly missed. ??
— Rob Adams ? (@RobAdamsFL) January 9, 2021
Just finished Alex Trebek’s last episode and I just balled my eyes out….. #SoLongAlex #Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/V5RtkQKucH
— Angela May? (@Buffalo_Angela) January 9, 2021
I was ok until the final tribute. Thanks for everything, Alex. Jeopardy won’t be the same without you. #AlexTrebek #Jeopardy
— Christine Louen (@ChristineLouen) January 9, 2021
Watch Jeopardy‘s touching tribute to Alex Trebek in the video below.