His first game show, "The Wizard of Odds" (1973), was produced by Alan Thicke.

Lives next door to Ed Begley Jr..

Owns two different homes, one in Beverly Hills and the other in the San Fernando Valley.

His hosting duties on "Jeopardy!" (1984) were carried on most of the CTV networks in Canada but it still ranks #2 behind "Wheel of Fortune" (1975), in ratings in most U.S. markets where both programs are often in tandem. (2003)

Enjoys collecting and drinking wine.

Won the Bob Hope Entertainment Award in 1998 for his work with the USO.

Sits on the boards of the National Geographic Society Education Foundation and the National Advisory Council for the Literary Volunteers of America.

Two children: Emily and Matthew

After having a confrontation at a Los Angeles International Airport, he sued an airline employee who said he left her with serious hand injuries. [23 March 2000]

Graduated from Malvern Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Sang a couple of lines from one of The Bee Gees' songs.

His friend Wayne Brady appeared on "Jeopardy!" (1984), a year after Trebek appeared on Brady's own talk show, just before both were nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. Brady has won more Emmys than Trebek, for Outstanding Daytime Talk Show Host. Trebek was nominated for Audience Participation in a Game Show and Outstanding Game Show Host.

Hosts the National Geography Bee in the U.S. and Canada.

Has hosted two game shows that made it big in his 30-year run. He's still hosting "Jeopardy!" (1984), which is a ratings bonanza in syndication. The other show was "Classic Concentration" (1987) for NBC, which he hosted for five years.

Hospitalized after suffering a minor heart attack at his home on December 10, 2007. Is resting comfortably.

Became a US citizen in 1998.

He purchased a house so he could use its tennis court. In the 1990s it was rented by Pete Rose and his wife Carol, had to get him to fix the house's electrical and plumbing problems.

Though he's good at pronouncing words in many different languages, he has had difficulty with Welsh and Hawaiian.

Is fluent in English and French and speaks some German, Italian, Spanish, and Russian.

Had 2 biggest winners in "Jeopardy!" (1984) history with more than $80,000 cash and an automobile. One was Doug Lach, who won $85,400 in cash and car in Season 16, and the other one was: Travis Troyer, who won $83,100 in cash and car in Season 19.

Owns a Creston, California vineyard, "Creston Vineyards."

It was Trebek's idea to include separate competitions for teenagers, seniors, and celebrities on "Jeopardy!" (1984).

Parodied by Will Ferrell on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

Is a spokesman for World Vision.

When he married Jean Currivan, at the ceremony he gave his wedding vow as a joke on the "Jeopardy!" (1984) rule of phrasing an answer as a question by saying, "The answer is ... yes".

Lived in the U.S. since 1973.

Is a frequent traveller.

Once told a 15-year-old Teen "Jeopardy!" (1984) contestant that if she never realized her dream to be editor-in-chief of a magazine, she could get married instead. [4 November 1999].

Is the current moderator for the annual National Geographic Bee in Canada and The United States.

While driving alone on a country road near Templeton, California, where he owns a horse farm, he lost consciousness at the wheel which led him to his car crash. [30 January 2004]

Owns 700-acre Thoroughbred horse farm, Creston Farms.

Proposed to wife Jean Currivan on her birthday, 12 September.

Graduated University of Ottawa with a degree in Philosophy

Every day he reads the movie book by Roger Ebert.

A large oak tree smashed into the garage of Trebek's Studio City, California home during a fierce wind storm. (5 January 2003)

Is an avid ice skater.

His parents were George Edward Trebek, a Russian immigrant, and Lucille (Lagace) Trebek, a French-Canadian of Native American ancestry.

When young, Trebek thought about becoming a priest, but changed his mind after spending a summer at a Trappist monastery. He said in an interview for the New York Sunday News, "I took a vow not only of poverty but of silence. And I'm not one to keep my big mouth shut. I enjoy talking." [February 24, 1974]

Was a newcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Network before becoming a game show host.

Shaved his infamous mustache during the 2000-2001 season of "Jeopardy!" (1984). He had the mustache for over 30 years.

As a teenager, he was a garbage man in Cincinnati, but moved back to his native Canada in 1961 to finish college and to become a newsanchor.

Received a phone call from Regis Philbin for his final answer on Philbin's talk show and Trebek said he refused to be tested for his "brains" on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (1999/I).

Game show host

He has framed a bounced check for $49,000, which he received from a game show he worked at in the 1970s that failed.

Has been Emmy-nominated 16 times as host of "Jeopardy!" (1984), but has only won twice.

After Merv Griffin created "Jeopardy!" (1984), 20 years ago, he wanted to create the show's "think" music, including that of "Final Jeopardy!," and Trebek was among the candidates to host the show during its taping.

Once subbed for Chuck Woolery on the daytime version of "Wheel of Fortune" (1975), before he was hired as the host of "Jeopardy!" (1984) for syndication.

His father, George Edward, was an alcoholic.