The longtime host of the popular television game show announced Monday that he will be retiring after 41 seasons, Variety reported.
“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak said in a statement Monday. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”
Sajak, 76, will remain as a consultant for three years after leaving as host at the end of the 2023-24 season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He has hosted a syndicated version of the show, along with letter-turning star Vanna White since it debuted in 1983, the entertainment news website reported.
Sajak also hosted a daytime version of the show from 1981 to 1989.
“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,” Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, said in a statement. “Pat has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting, so we’re thrilled to have him remaining close to the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ family!”
Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)
Sajak was doing weather reports at KNBC in Los Angeles when Merv Griffin, the creator of “Wheel of Fortune” offered him a job to host the daytime version of the show in 1981, according to The Hollywood Reporter. White joined the show a year later.
Sajak has won three Daytime Emmy Awards as outstanding game show host. In 2011, he and “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek received lifetime achievement awards at the Daytime Emmys, the entertainment news website reported.
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Pat Sajak through the years CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE - ABC's Celebrity Wheel of Fortune stars Pat Sajak. ((Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images) (Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Host Pat Sajak walks amongst the audience during a taping of "Wheel Of Fortune Celebrity Week" celebrating the television game show's 25th anniversary at Radio City Music Hall on September 29, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years WHEEL OF FORTUNE -- Season 10 -- Pictured: (l-r) Host Pat Sajak, hostess Vanna White -- Photo by: Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank (NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years Pat Sajak & Family during "Radio" Premiere - Arrivals at Academy Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage) (Steve Granitz/WireImage via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Game Show Host Pat Sajak attends the Pittsburgh Penguins game against the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) (Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years Pat Sajak poses backstage at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 19, 2011. Sajak received a Lifetime Achievement Award. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ (Photo credit should read ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP via Getty Images) (ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years PASADENA, CA - APRIL 28: TV Personalities Pat Sajak (L) and Alex Trebek (R) attend the 44th annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on April 28, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic) (Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years American television personality Pat Sajak (left) receives a stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, and is honoured by American singer and actor Gene Autry (1907 - 1998, right), 10th February 1994. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, businesswoman and humanitarian Dolly Parton talks with American television personality and game show host Pat Sajak on April 19, 1989 on the Pat Sajak Show in Los Angeles, California. Parton was promoting her album White Limozeen. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images) (Lester Cohen/Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 9: Matt Harvey of the New York Mets poses for a photo with Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak during the game between the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues on January 9, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images) (Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE - Paul Reubens, Nicole Byer, and Joel McHale Celebrity Wheel of Fortune takes a new spin on the iconic game show Wheel of Fortune with the primetime debut of Americas Game® on Americas network, THURSDAY, FEB. 11 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (Christopher Willard via Getty Images)
PAT SAJAK (Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Harry Friedman, Vanna White and Pat Sajak attend Harry Friedman being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 01, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) (David Livingston/Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE - Joey Fatone, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman Hosted by pop-culture legends Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune takes a star-studded spin on Americas Game®. Season two continues with an all-new episode SUNDAY, NOV. 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
PAT SAJAK (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: The hosts of Wheel of Fortune Vanna White (L) and Pat Sajak are honored by Gray Line New York's Ride Of Fame Campaign in Central Park on May 23, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Eisman/WireImage) (Matthew Eisman/WireImage via Getty Images)
Pat Sajak through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 23: Pat Sajak motions for a foul ball at the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Anaheim Angels Game at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images) (Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)
