Pat Sajak’s Ups and Downs Through the Years: ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Mishaps, Health Scares and More

usmagazine.com:

Playing the game of life. Pat Sajak’s journey to becoming the longest-running TV game show host has had its ups and downs over the years.The TV personality became a staple of the small screen after taking over for original Wheel of Fortune host Chuck Woolery in 1981. “When I started hosting Wheel (with Susan Stafford) on this date 40 years ago, the top 10 TV shows included Dallas, Three’s Company, The Jeffersons and The Dukes of Hazzard,” Sajak tweeted in December 2021, in honor of his 40th anniversary as host. “Ronald Reagan was in his 1st year as president.

Number 1 song: Olivia Newton-John’s ‘Physical.’”One year after beginning his decades-long career on the show, he was joined by cohost Vanna White, and the two have been entertaining viewers for over 40 years. “We’re like a brother and sister after 37 years,” White exclusively told Us Weekly in December 2019. “I think the two of us have been together longer than anyone else, as far as having spouses or children or whatever.

We have been together a long time. … I can just look at him and tell what kind of a mood he’s in.”Five years after taking on his now-iconic role, Sajak split from his ex-wife, Sherrill James.

He later tied the knot with Lesly Brown, and the two became parents to son Patrick and daughter Maggie in 1990 and 1995, respectively.In addition to helping make contestants’ dreams come true with expensive prizes and elaborate trips, the Chicago native’s actions as host have occasionally garnered him backlash from Wheel of Fortune fans.