In Memoriam
‘Jeopardy!’ Host Ken Jennings Pays Emotional Tribute to Alex Trebek 6 Years After His Death
Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings is remembering his late friend and predecessor Alex Trebek with a touching tribute marking the sixth anniversary of his death from pancreatic cancer.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, November 8, Jennings, 58, shared a photo of himself on the game show’s set wearing a purple ribbon in honor of Trebek, who died on November 8, 2020, at the age of 80.
In the caption, Jennings explained that the tribute also coincided with Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
“November happens to be Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and we at @jeopardy lost our friend Alex Trebek to pancreatic cancer exactly six years ago, so we’re thinking about him on-set today even more than usual,” he wrote.
Jennings also thanked the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the disease, for providing the ribbon.
“Working together, we can change the story of this disease,” he added.
Trebek announced his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis in March 2019 and continued hosting Jeopardy! while undergoing treatment.
Following his death, Jennings paid an emotional tribute to the longtime television personality, remembering him as more than just an exceptional game show host.
“Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man,” Jennings wrote at the time on X. “I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him.”
Jennings, who first rose to fame as a record-breaking Jeopardy! contestant, began guest-hosting the show in 2021 before becoming its sole permanent host in December 2023.
Speaking to People in April 2025, Jennings admitted that stepping into Trebek’s shoes had been difficult, particularly after viewers had spent nearly four decades watching his predecessor.
“I wanted Alex — like, he was my guy,” he said, explaining that years of watching Trebek host the show helped him adjust to the role.
“A few years on, I’ve gotten enough reps that I feel a little more comfortable out there,” Jennings added.
