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 and was joined by cohost Vanna White one year later.
“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.’”
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 fun prizes and trips, Sajak’s actions as host have occasionally garnered him backlash from Wheel of Fortune fans, from taking a jab at White to bickering with contestants.
Scroll below for a timeline of Sajak’s ups and down through the years:
