The Hollywood community is showing its support forAlex Trebekfollowing the news that he has beendiagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
In a video message on Wednesday, the longtimeJeopardy!host, 78, told the show’s fanbase that he has “a longtime policy of being open and transparent” and that he wanted to prevent fans from “reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health.”
Trebek, who has now hostedJeopardy!for 35 years, vowed to courageously “fight” the disease and also continue working on the game show, while asking his fans to lift up prayers on his behalf.
Immediately after the somber announcement, an outpouring of well wishes from a number of stars were sent Trebek’s way, including his longtime friend andWheel of Fortunehost Pat Sajak.
“The Sajak family is deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek’s struggle with cancer. Our hearts go out to him and his family,” Sajak, whose program currently follows Trebek’s on television,wroteon Twitter.
“But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him,” the game show host, 72, added. “We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.”
Jerritt Clark/WireImage
The Viewco-hostMeghan McCain, ABC anchorDavid Muir, and Disney CEO Bob Iger also expressed their support for Trebek and reminded him of the number of people who are rallying behind him.
“We are all pulling for Alex Trebek who just revealed he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He vows to fight this and to keep working. We’re with you, Alex,” said Muir.
“Our hearts go out to you, #Alextrebek, a member of our Disney-ABC family for so long. We admire your courage and determination, and in the words of Winston Churchill: ‘never, never, never, never give up!'” Iger wrote.
Meghan McCain/Twitter
In addition to the famous faces from his ABC family, Trebek also received support from stars across Hollywood, including comedian-actorKen Jeong,The BachelorhostChris Harrison, comedianDane Cook, actorsLeVar BurtonandIke Barinholtz, and actressKatie Stevens.
“You are my hero,” Jeong proudly wrote in his tweet.
“You are the true daily double and the ultimate Jeopardy! champion in my eyes,” added Cook in his supportive message.
Dane Cook/Twitter
Also joining the long list of supporters wasStephen King,Dr. Mehmet Oz, and even some formerJeopardy!contestants.
Buzzy Cohen, who is the 2017Jeopardy!Tournament of Champions winner, explained how much of an impact Trebek has had on his life in just a few short years.
“My heart sinks. Few things have changed the course of my life the way this man and this show has. As I’ve come to know him there is nothing but love, respect, and admiration. Alex your whole jeopardy family is behind you. #TheRealJeopardyAllStar,” he wrote.
Jeopardy!record holder Ken Jennings echoed those sentiments: “One thing I know for a fact: Alex is very aware of how much he means to millions of people, and how we will be pulling for him…I hope that’s a comfort.”
Trebek even received some support beyond the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted to Ontario-born Trebek, “Keep fighting, Alex – Canadians are rooting for you!”
Despite the grave diagnosis, Trebek quipped in his video announcement that he must continue working because of the terms of hiscontract through the 2021-22 season.
“Truth told, I have to because under the terms of my contract, I have to hostJeopardy!for three more years!” he joked. “So help me!”
“Keep the faith and we’ll win,” he concluded, “We’ll get it done. Thank you.”
Trebek shares two children — Matthew, 29, a restaurateur in Manhattan who owns Oso (a popular Mexican restaurant in North Harlem), and Emily, 27, who works in real estate in Los Angeles — with his wife of 29 years,Jean Currivan.
source: people.com
