Iconic 'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek dies

The longtime host of the popular American game show "Jeopardy!", Alex Trebek, died Sunday from advanced pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.

Trebek began hosting the show in 1984 after his friend and original "Jeopardy!" host, Art Fleming, declined to return after the original run ended in 1975. Trebek took command of the game in which the host is tasked with showing an answer on the board, and contestants had to respond with a question. 

The host's cool demeanor on the show brought the show to new heights and became a staple in American households over the next 36 years. But he made certain he was never the main star of the show, taking time to get to know the contestants and introduce them to the US.

"I'm introduced as the host of 'Jeopardy!', not the star," said Trebek in a 2012 interview. "My job is to provide the atmosphere and assistance to the contestants to get them to perform at their very best. And if I'm successful doing that, I will be perceived as a nice guy and the audience will think of me as being a bit of a star."

In addition to hosting "Jeopardy!", Trebek also hosted the National Geographic Bee from 1998 to 2013 and appeared as himself in several parodies and television shows and movies. He won five Emmys as a host, and has stars on the Hollywood and Canadian walks of fame. He won the Peabody award in 2012.

Born in Canada on July 22, 1940, he became a naturalized US citizen in 1998. In March last year, he shared his stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Still, Trebek kept taping the show while fighting the illness, and also put out videos thanking people for their well wishes after the initial announcement, and for the one year anniversary of the diagnosis.

Mourning in the US and beyond

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted "We have lost an icon. Alex Trebek entertained and educated millions around the world, instilling in so many of us a love for trivia."

Ken Jennings, the highest-earning game show contestant of all time, won more than $4 million on the show (3.4 million euros). He shared his condolences on Twitter, calling Trebek a "lovely and decent man, and I'm grateful for every minute I got to spend with him."

US singer John Legend said he was "obsessed with Jeopardy as a nerdy kid growing up in Ohio. I've loved and revered Alex Trebek since I can remember. What an iconic career."

Trebek is survived by his wife, their two children and his stepdaughter.

kbd/dj (AFP, AP)