Pasadena Resident and Former ‘Jeopardy’ Contestant Fondly Remembers Alex Trebek

Pasadena resident and former “Jeopardy” contestant Miles Lake remembered Alex Trebek on Sunday after it was announced that the show’s host had died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

“He was the most professional person I’ve ever seen,” Lake said. “He was the last of his species in terms of those like memorable TV hosts of like game shows because was amazing. He was almost like a machine, you know, he’d introduce the game, he’d get everything going.”

The 80-year-old Trebek, whose erudite manner entertained and educated generations of viewers of the iconic quiz show, died in Los Angeles surrounded by family and friends. 

“In between commercial breaks he’d actually talk to the audience,” Lake said. “My father was there as my guests for filming and he actually got to ask Alex a question too,”

According to Lake, his father asked Trebek what he liked to do in his spare time. Trebek responded he enjoyed doing handyman type chores around his home. 

Trebek hosted the syndicated half-hour trivia show since 1984 and continued taping episodes this year through his battle with the disease.

He announced in March 2019 that he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and was very public in discussing his illness and chemotherapy.

In July, he said he was “doing well” and looking forward to returning to the show in September.

“I’ve been continuing my treatment and it is paying off, though it does fatigue me a great deal,” Trebek said in a video posted to the show’s official Twitter account. “My numbers are good. I’m feeling great. …I can’t wait to return to the studio and start recording shows for the new season in September,” Trebek said. 

“Meanwhile, my wish for all of you — stay safe.”

Reactions to his death poured in immediately.

“Very sorry to hear the news about Alex Trebek. Condolences to his family,” tweeted actor William Shatner.

“Greatest host of one of the greatest shows of all time who passed away sadly after a long battle with cancer. ……Who was Alex Trebek? RIP Mr. Trebek. Thank you for always being there at the end of the day to take my mind off things,” tweeted actor Armie Hammer, a Pasadena native.

“So sad to hear of the passing of my friend Alex Trebek. He was a fighter and also one of the nicest people on this planet. He has left his mark on the world and in our hearts. My love and prayers go out to Jean and the entire Trebek family. His memory will forever be a blessing,” tweeted 90-year-old actor Ed Asner, who a few years ago starred as Franklin Delano Roosevelt in a one-man show at the Pasadena Playhouse.

“Alex was valiant to the end & brought great awareness to Pancreatic Cancer. My dad died of it 40 yrs ago and very little has changed. Giving in Alex’s name today,” tweeted actress Dana Delany, who starred in the soap opera “Pasadena.”

According to City News Service, Trebek was a native of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He began his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and hosted a number of music and game shows. He was tapped to host the revival of “Jeopardy” in 1984. The show was already a known quantity from its previous incarnations under host Art Fleming from 1964 to 1975 and again from 1978 to 1979.

Trebek made the show his own, though, and quickly became a fan favorite. He was smooth and knowledgeable and set a high bar for contestants, often gently scolding them for strategic blunders or not knowing an easy answer, yet always with grace.

His “Jeopardy” became a nightly ritual for millions of households across North America and was a particular favorite with teachers. The show conducted annual college tournaments, and its occasional “Celebrity Jeopardy” segments, where celebrities played for charity, were also popular. The latter led to a well-known recurring sketch on “Saturday Night Live” in the early 2000s, in which Will Ferrell impersonated Trebek as the host was needled mercilessly by Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery. (Connery died on Oct. 31.)

In 2014, Trebek set the record for the most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter with 6,829 episodes of “Jeopardy!,” breaking the previous record held by “The Price is Right” host Bob Barker, according to the Guinness World Records.

Trebek was also a noted philanthropist, traveling to several countries with the charitable group World Vision Canada, and donating 74 acres of open land in the Hollywood Hills to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1998.

He leaves behind a wife and two children.

“Jeopardy” producers have made no announcements about plans for a new host. According to Variety, Trebek’s last day in the studio was Oct. 29, and episodes hosted by Trebek will air through Christmas.

“I was actually outside doing a little housework myself,” Lake said. “My wife came out and told me, and I had to just drop everything. I cried. It hit me really hard. We knew that he was ill, and he let us kind of like follow his treatment path and everything. He was very open. He didn’t need to be so open. He was just, I knew it was coming, but just not all of a sudden. I hadn’t even been thinking about it, but it seemed like he was doing fine.” 

City News Service contributed to this report