‘The end is near’: Pat Sajak hints at ‘Wheel of Fortune’ retirement after 40 years
ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LOS ANGELES — It’s not clear exactly how many spins legendary emcee Pat Sajak has left in him, but the longtime “Wheel of Fortune” host could soon bid farewell to one of the longest-running game shows in U.S. history.
“It appears I may go before the show,” Sajak told Entertainment Tonight, discussing his 40-year tenure with the fan-favorite letter game, adding good-naturedly, “In most television shows by this time, you would have said, ‘That’s probably enough,’ but this show will not die.”
“Wheel of Fortune” debuted in 1975, with Sajak, now 75, assuming hosting duties in 1981, People magazine reported.
“Years go by fast. We’re getting near the end. It’s been a long [time]. We’re not gonna do this for another 40 years. The end is near,” Sajak told ET, adding, “It’s an honor to have been in people’s living rooms for that long. People were out there welcoming us. We’re happy and proud.”
According to People, Sajak celebrated his 40th year hosting the show in December, adorably marked by a social media tribute by his daughter, who tweeted, “Happy 40th Wheel-iversary to this guy!” alongside a throwback photo of her father hosting the show.
Meanwhile, entertainment news site Screen Rant reported that “Wheel of Fortune” trails only “The Price is Right” and “Jeopardy” for longevity among U.S. game shows.
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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)
