Pat Sajak is an American television personality, game show host and occasional actor.
He is best known as the host of the American television game show Wheel of Fortune, a position he has held since 1981, and has been co-hosting the show with Vanna White since 1982.
Sajak served as a disc jockey during the Vietnam War for the American Forces Vietnam Network.
He has also made several appearances in movies and TV shows, including The A-Team, The King of Queens and The Larry Sanders Show.
In May 2022, Sajak made headlines when he suddenly ran off the stage during a taping of Wheel of Fortune, leaving Vanna White in total shock.
In recent weeks, his on-air behavior has become increasingly unpredictable and strange.
Sajak is known for his cutting sense of humor, and he has publicly expressed his conservative views on a variety of topics, such as COVID vaccines and climate change.
He announced in June 2023 that the upcoming season of Wheel of Fortune will be his last as host, and he will retire from the show.
Sajak has been the host of the show for over 40 years, and his last season will air in the fall of 2023.
How old is Pat Sajak?
Sajak was born on October 26, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, making him 76 years old as of September 2023.
How tall is Pat Sajak?
According to USA Today, Sajak is 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighs about 80 Kgs.
Pat Sajak career highlights
Sajak began his career as a radio DJ in the 1960s, working in various cities across the United States.
He eventually made his way to Los Angeles, where he began working as a weatherman for KNBC-TV.
It was during this time that he was approached to host a new game show called Wheel of Fortune, which premiered in 1983.
Since then, Sajak has become synonymous with the show, hosting it for over 38 years and counting. He has also hosted several other game shows, including The Price is Right and Just Men!.
In addition to his work in television, Sajak has also appeared in several films and television shows, including The A-Team and Airplane II: The Sequel.
Throughout his career, Sajak has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
In 1993, he was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and in 2006, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He has also been nominated for several Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on Wheel of Fortune, winning three times in the category of Outstanding Game Show Host.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Sajak is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has been a longtime supporter of the USO, and has traveled overseas to visit troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He has also been involved with several other charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Ronald McDonald House.
What is Pat Sajak’s net worth?
Sajak has a net worth of $75 million.
He has been hosting Wheel of Fortune since 1981, making $14 million a year from his hosting gig salary.
However, he earns more from licensing his image to Wheel of Fortune slot machines globally, earning at least $15 million a year from royalties, licensing fees, and other payments related to licensing his image to around 20,000 Wheel of Fortune slot machines in casinos around the world since 1996.
Vanna White, who co-hosts the show, makes $10 million annually and earns around $15 million from slot machine licensing.
Wheel of Fortune tapes four days per month, six shows per day, and on taping days, Sajak and White both arrive around 8:30 am and start shooting at noon.
Why is Pat Sajak leaving Wheel of Fortune?
Recently, Sajak, the host of Wheel of Fortune, has announced that he will be leaving the show after more than 40 years of hosting.
He has been the host of the syndicated version of Wheel of Fortune since its debut in 1983, and he also served as the host for the daytime edition from 1981 to 1989.
Sajak has become synonymous with the show’s success, and his presence will be missed by many fans of the show.
His retirement announcement came in a tweet that he shared on June 12, 2023, where he stated that the upcoming 41st season of the show, which begins in September, will be his last.
Sajak plans to continue as a consultant for three years after his final season.
Suzanne Prete, the executive vice president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, expressed her gratitude for Sajak’s remarkable career in a statement shared with Variety.
She acknowledged; “As the host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years. We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season.”
The reason why Sajak is leaving Wheel of Fortune is not entirely clear, however, it is evident that he has been contemplating stepping down for some time.
Sajak has not given any specific reasons for his retirement, but it is likely that he wants to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.
Despite his retirement announcement, his legacy as the host of Wheel of Fortune will continue to be celebrated by fans of the show for years to come.
