Pat Sajak Wins His First Emmy in 26 Years for Hosting Final Season ofWheel of Fortune

Mar. 15, 2025

Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’.Photo:Carol Kaelson/Quadra Productions, Inc./CBS

Carol Kaelson/Quadra Productions, Inc./CBS

Pat Sajakis being honored for his longtime hosting duties onWheel of Fortunefor the final time.Sajak, who began hostingWheel of Fortunein 1981 and officially retired in June 2024, took home the award for outstanding host for a game show at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, Sept. 7.The 77-year-old television personality was not in attendance to accept the honor, which also featuredCelebrity Family Feud’sSteve Harvey,Jeopardy’sKen Jennings,Password’sKeke Palmer, andWeakest Link’sJane Lynchas nominees in the category.With the win for his final season, Sajak earns his first Emmy in 26 years. He has been nominated 23 times and previously won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding game show host in 1993, 1997, and 1998. (The category moved from the Daytime Emmys to the Primetime Emmys in 2023, with thefirst Primetime award going to Palmer.)Sajak also previously received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards, alongsideJeopardy!‘sAlex Trebek.Vanna White (left) and Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’.Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via GettySajak took overWheel of Fortunehosting duties fromChuck Wooleryin1981, with co-hostVanna Whitejoining him the following year. The two remained on the series for four decades before Sajakannounced his retirementin June 2023.At the time, he wrote via X (formerly Twitter), “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)“Weeks later,Ryan Seacrestwasconfirmed as his replacement, while White will stay on the show and continuethrough the 2025-2026 season.“It’s been a little bit wistful and all that, but I’m enjoying it and taking it all in and reflecting on the great run,” Sajakpreviously said of hosting the show. “Somewhere along the line, we became more than a popular show. We became part of the popular culture. And more importantly, we became part of people’s lives. And, that’s been awfully gratifying.”Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’.Christopher Willard/DISNEY via GettyWhen it came time forhis final episode on June 7, Sajak gave a touching speech where he expressed his gratitude to his loyal viewers, his cast and crew, and his family members.“Thank you for allowing me into your lives, every time we taped a show I met three new people from all parts of this wonderful country and the world who were kind and considerate, who rooted for each other, who took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets,” he said. “In the end, they were the real stars of the show. I genuinely like these people and I’ll miss the chance to meet more of them.“After paying his dues to the village of people who madeWheel of Fortuneinto what it is today, he addressed White, calling her his “professional other half.““We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other,” he said. “While I’ll very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart so we’ll see plenty of each other. But I will miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature.“Though Sajak has officially retired fromWheel of Fortune, that won’t be the last of him on television screens. In July, it was announced that he will bereturning to host the upcoming seasonofCelebrity Wheel of Fortune,which premieres on Oct. 7.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights (check local listings).

Pat Sajakis being honored for his longtime hosting duties onWheel of Fortunefor the final time.

Sajak, who began hostingWheel of Fortunein 1981 and officially retired in June 2024, took home the award for outstanding host for a game show at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The 77-year-old television personality was not in attendance to accept the honor, which also featuredCelebrity Family Feud’sSteve Harvey,Jeopardy’sKen Jennings,Password’sKeke Palmer, andWeakest Link’sJane Lynchas nominees in the category.

With the win for his final season, Sajak earns his first Emmy in 26 years. He has been nominated 23 times and previously won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding game show host in 1993, 1997, and 1998. (The category moved from the Daytime Emmys to the Primetime Emmys in 2023, with thefirst Primetime award going to Palmer.)

Sajak also previously received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards, alongsideJeopardy!‘sAlex Trebek.

Vanna White (left) and Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’.Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty

Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty

Sajak took overWheel of Fortunehosting duties fromChuck Wooleryin1981, with co-hostVanna Whitejoining him the following year. The two remained on the series for four decades before Sajakannounced his retirementin June 2023.

At the time, he wrote via X (formerly Twitter), “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”

Weeks later,Ryan Seacrestwasconfirmed as his replacement, while White will stay on the show and continuethrough the 2025-2026 season.

“It’s been a little bit wistful and all that, but I’m enjoying it and taking it all in and reflecting on the great run,” Sajakpreviously said of hosting the show. “Somewhere along the line, we became more than a popular show. We became part of the popular culture. And more importantly, we became part of people’s lives. And, that’s been awfully gratifying.”

Pat Sajak on ‘Wheel of Fortune’.Christopher Willard/DISNEY via Getty

Christopher Willard/DISNEY via Getty

When it came time forhis final episode on June 7, Sajak gave a touching speech where he expressed his gratitude to his loyal viewers, his cast and crew, and his family members.

“Thank you for allowing me into your lives, every time we taped a show I met three new people from all parts of this wonderful country and the world who were kind and considerate, who rooted for each other, who took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets,” he said. “In the end, they were the real stars of the show. I genuinely like these people and I’ll miss the chance to meet more of them.”

After paying his dues to the village of people who madeWheel of Fortuneinto what it is today, he addressed White, calling her his “professional other half.”

“We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other,” he said. “While I’ll very much miss working with her, I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart so we’ll see plenty of each other. But I will miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature.”

Though Sajak has officially retired fromWheel of Fortune, that won’t be the last of him on television screens. In July, it was announced that he will bereturning to host the upcoming seasonofCelebrity Wheel of Fortune,which premieres on Oct. 7.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Wheel of Fortuneairs weeknights (check local listings).

source: people.com