Alex Trebek: I'm Enjoying The Time I Have Left

The cancer-stricken TV legend opens up like never before in an exclusive interview with Star.

During a revealing interview with Star on Jan. 8, a visibly emotional Alex Trebek expressed his gratitude to the loyal fans who’ve shown their support as he battles stage IV pancreatic cancer. “My message to them is a big thank-you for all the cards and letters and prayers,” said the beloved 79-year-old Jeopardy! host, who announced his devastating diagnosis in March 2019. “On Christmas Day, I took my family to the Lakers game, and the broadcaster leaned over to me and wished me luck, saying, ‘Alex, you know there’s a terrific power in prayer,’” the television icon continued with tears in his eyes. “I was very touched by that.”

These days, very little is off-limits for the beloved TV personality, who went on to talk about everything from his health (he has “good days and bad days,” he says) to his silliest behind-the-scenes pranks to his retirement plans and making the most of the time he has left. “It doesn’t matter how I’ve been feeling backstage or in my dressing room,” says the doting husband and father (he and his wife of 29 years, Jean, 55, have two children, Matthew, 28, and Emily, 26), who’s hosted the hit game show for 36 years. “For some reason, when they introduce me, I can suck it up. It’s just showtime!”

LIVING IN THE MOMENT