This Viral “Jeopardy!” Moment Is a Perfect Tribute to Alex Trebek’s Legacy
If there’s a single moment to encapsulate the impact of late Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, this may be it.
The entertainment icon died at age 80 on the morning of Nov. 8, according to a statement from the show. Though no cause of death has been announced, Trebek was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019.
In the wake of Trebek’s death, fans began sharing moments from the host’s career that sum up his legacy—and one such viral video comes from an episode aired just days ago.
The clip, which is from a Nov. 5 airing of Jeopardy!, shows contestant and winner Burt Thakur sharing the impact Trebek had on his life. Burt explains that he learned to speak English as a child from watching Jeopardy! with his grandfather.
“You know, there’s a true story, man. I grew up—I learned English because of you,” Thakur tells Trebek in the clip. “And so my grandfather who raised me—I’m going to get tears right now—I used to sit on his lap and watch you everyday. So it’s a pretty special moment for me, man. Thank you very much.”
The emotional clip went viral soon after airing live on Nov. 5, but many resurfaced the video as a testament to Trebek’s legacy and character.
After news of Trebek’s death broke, Thakur posted a tribute to his Twitter account, saying he was “overwhelmed with emotion” by the news.
Trebek hosted Jeopardy! since its revival in 1984, becoming a staple in U.S. homes. Sony recently confirmed to Variety that episodes hosted by Trebek will air through Dec. 25. His last day in the studio was reportedly Oct. 29.
You Might Also Like
Solve the daily Crossword
