Jeopardy Host Alex Trebek Wins Emmy Award, Receives Standing Ovation

Alex Trebek received a standing ovation as he accepted an Emmy Award as host of Jeopardy!

Trebek, 78, who announced in March he has advanced pancreatic cancer, told the theater audience yesterday (May 05, 2019) that he had been worried that sympathy, rather than merit, might win him the trophy for best game show host.

“The reception I got from the audience was extremely special, very touching. We all know what’s going on in my life and I alluded to that in my remarks and I’ve been very blessed to discover how many people our show has influenced in their lives,” he said backstage, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Alex Trebek 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Show — Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

“Jeopardy! has become a special institution in Americana,” he continued. “And it has been a force for good, a force for knowledge, a force for the best kind of reality television if you think about it. Anybody can succeed, anybody can win a lot of money. Just ask James Holzhauer.”

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The 78-year-old Trebek revealed his cancer diagnosis in a video message on March 6, 2019.

“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 began. “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.”

Alex Trebek 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Press Room — Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

“Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer … “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.”