Alex Trebek Is a Fighter! A Complete Timeline of the ‘Jeopardy’ Host’s Pancreatic Cancer Battle

The TV Icon Is Not Stopping His Cancer Treatment — July 2020

Alex said he won’t “stop all treatment” for his cancer if his current regimen fails. The game show host opened up about his health after fans misread a quote in his new book, The Answer Is … Reflections on My Life.

“I feel the need to clarify my quote that, if my course of cancer treatment does not continue to work, I would consider stopping treatment. That quote from the book was written BEFORE my current regimen, and I was going through some bad times,” he explained in a statement on Twitter. “My current numbers are very good, but we will have to be patient with this new immunotherapy program that I am on. But, if it were to stop being successful, I would return to my previous chemo treatment — NOT stop all treatment.”

Vanna White Gives Positive Update on Alex’s Battle — December 2019

“He’s doing good. He really is,” the Wheel of Fortune cohost told Us Weekly in an interview. “He looks good. I talked to him recently and he’s got a very positive attitude.”

“He is definitely keeping everybody updated on how he’s doing, and I am so proud of him. He’s still working, he’s obviously doing chemotherapy but working through it, and has that strong will to, as we say, the show must go on,” the TV personality added.

Dr. Oz Gives an Update on Alex’s Condition — October 2019

After everything’s been said and done, Dr. Oz opened up about life has been like for Alex since he had to start undergoing chemo again.

“I spoke to Alex in Los Angeles. I mean, he’s down,” the medical professional confessed to Closer Weekly. “He’s struggling with the different forms of chemotherapy that are being offered to him but I told him, and I do believe this, he’s soulful man who’s always been optimistic about life — keep his confidence. The longer he stays alive, the better able we are to catch up to his pancreatic cancer.”

Keep fighting, Alex!

Alex Gets Candid About Death — October 2019

Alex began making some very grim comments about death in a recent interview with Canada’s CTV News.

“I’m not afraid of dying,” he said. “I’ve lived a good life, a full life, and I’m nearing the end of that life … if it happens, why should I be afraid that?”

But even though Alex was talking about death, he still gave viewers a taste of that award-winning humor.

“One thing they’re not going to say at my funeral, as a part of a eulogy, is, ‘He was taken from us too soon,’” the TV host joked.

Alex Has to Under Chemo Again — September 2019

Alex’s health took a turn for the worst when he announced its time for him to “undergo chemo again” because his “numbers went sky high.”

“I was doing so well. And my numbers went down to the equivalent of a normal human being who does not have pancreatic cancer. So we were all very optimistic,” he said on Good Morning America in September. “And they said, ‘Good, we’re gonna stop chemo, we’ll start you on immunotherapy.’”

However, that didn’t last long. “I lost about 12 pounds in a week,” he continued. “And my numbers went sky high, much higher than they were when I was first diagnosed. So, the doctors have decided that I have to undergo chemo again and that’s what I’m doing.”

‘Jeopardy!’ Season 36 Begins — August 2019

To get fans excited for Jeopardy season 36, Alex shared a very inspirational video on Twitter of him getting ready for his job.

“Alex is back in action! Join him on September 9 for the premiere of season 36,” the caption read, and in the clip, Alex gave another health update.

“It’s another day at the office for me and an exciting day because so many great things have been happening,” he said. “I’ve gone through a lot of chemotherapy and thankfully that is now over. I’m on the mend and that is all I can hope for right now.” Such great news!

He’s Near Remission — May 2019

Alex revealed the best news ever during a May interview with People: He was “near remission!”

“It’s kind of mind-boggling,” he said at the time. “The doctors said they hadn’t seen this kind of positive result in their memory … some of the tumors have already shrunk by more than 50 percent.”

The TV star also believes that fans may have had something to do with all the success coming to him. “I’ve got a couple million people out there who have expressed their good thoughts, their positive energy directed towards me and their prayers,” he said. “I told the doctors, this has to be more than just the chemo, and they agreed it could very well be an important part of this.”

Hair Loss — May 2019

Hair loss isn’t fun for anyone and if you’ve started to steadily lose your very full head of hair that you had all your life in your ’70s then you probably know how Alex feels.

“What the challenge for Jeopardy viewers is right now is to figure out, ‘Is that Alex’s real hair or is that a full hair piece?’ Because they all know that when you start chemo you lose your hair, so which is it?” The A-lister admitted to CBS Sunday Morning‘s Jane Pauley in May 12, before saying, “This is not the real me.”

He’s a Survivor — May 2019

Alex started to measure his “survivorship” from the day he learned he had cancer.

“As you all know, survivorship is measured starting from the date you are diagnosed with cancer,” he said at the PurpleStride Los Angeles on Saturday, May 4.  “And on that scale, my gosh, I am a 62-day survivor.”

Alex Gets Real on TV — May 2019

Since Alex revealed his battle with cancer, he’s been taking to social media to give fans as many updates as possible about his health. But on Wednesday, May 1, he changed things up a little by appearing on Good Morning America for his first live interview since opening up about what’s affecting him.

“It’s great to be considered an inspiration to people,” he said at the time. “I’ve had so many contacts from people who have survived cancer. I am now a 30-day survivor … I’m going to catch up to those other people.”

He Announces His Return to ‘Jeopardy!’ — April 2019

Just like our source said, Alex wasn’t giving up without a fight! On Wednesday, April 17, he announced he’d definitely be hosting Jeopardy for season 36.

“Despite what you may have heard, I’m feeling good,” he gushed on Twitter. “I’m continuing with my therapy and we — by we, the staff — is already working on our next season, the 36th year of Jeopardy. So I look forward to seeing you once again in September with all kinds of good stuff.”

Alex Responds to Fans’ Support — March 2019

The TV personality received an outpouring of love from his fan base after he revealed his diagnosis. On Thursday, March 14, the Jeopardy legend thanked everyone who sent him words of encouragement.

“Hi everyone, I just want to take a few moments to say thanks to the, believe it or not, hundreds of thousands of people who have sent in tweets, texts, emails, cards and letters wishing me well following my recent health announcement,” he said on Twitter. “Now obviously, I won’t be able to respond to all of you individually, but I did want you to know that I do read everything I receive and I am thankful for the kind words, the prayers and the advice you have offered, and I’m extremely touched by the warmth you have expressed in your comments to me.”

Alex Receives Support From Pals — March 2019

After hearing the devastating news, Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak sent his good friend some well wishes.

“The Sajak family is deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek’s struggle with cancer,” the dad of two tweeted on Wednesday, March 6. “Our hearts go out to him and his family. But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him. We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.”

Grease star Olivia Newton-John also shared some kind words on social media. “You can get through this,” she indirectly told Alex during a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight. “Don’t listen to stage IV and don’t read the the statistics. Stay focused and see how you can heal yourself.”

He Starts Getting the Help He Needs — March 2019

Alex’s fans were so happy to see him arrive at a medical center in Beverly Hills on Friday, March 8. By going in for his checkups, he proved he’s not going to give up that easy!

“He always says, ‘No matter what, I power through,’ a source told Closer Weekly at the time. “He really is hopeful. He’s got all the help and the care money can buy.”

Alex Announces He Has Cancer — March 2019

Lets start from the beginning. On Wednesday, March 6, Alex revealed his cancer diagnosis in a video shared to the show’s official social media accounts.

“Hi, everyone, I have some news to share with all of you and it’s in keeping with my longtime policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy fan base,” he said at the time. “I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health. So therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information.”

“Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” he continued. “Now normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this, and I’m going to keep working. And with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease. Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy for three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you.”