Pat Sajak is an American television personality best known as the long-time host of the popular game show “Wheel of Fortune.” Sajak began his career in broadcasting as a weatherman before landing the hosting role on “Wheel of Fortune” in 1981. His charming demeanor has made him a beloved figure in American television, and he continues to be a fixture on the show, entertaining audiences with his wit and enthusiasm for over four decades.
Content of this Article
- Facts About Pat Sajak
- Pat Sajak’s Appearance
- Pat Sajak’s Net Worth
- Pat Sajak’s Personal Life
- Pat Sajak’s Career
- Pat Sajak’s Controversy
- Pat Sajak’s Real Estate
Facts About Pat Sajak
| Nationality | American |
| Estimated Net Worth | $75 million |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Birthday | October 26, 1946 |
Pat Sajak’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 178 cm |
| Weight | 176 lbs |
| Hair Color | Brown/Gray |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Body Type | Average |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Pat Sajak’s Net Worth
Pat Sajak, real name Patrick Leonard Sajdak, has a total wealth of $75 million. He makes $15 million yearly from hosting “Wheel of Fortune.”
Pat Sajak’s Personal Life
Pat Sajak is married to Lesly Brown-Sajak, a photographer. They have a son named Patrick Michael James Sajak, who became a doctor in 2021. They also have a daughter named Maggie Marie Sajak, a social correspondent on “Wheel of Fortune.” The family resides in Severna Park, Maryland, and has a second home in Los Angeles, California.
Sajak is a Republican who writes articles for the conservative magazine Human Events. He frequently contributes to the conservative blog Ricochet.com, where he posts and participates in podcasts. Sajak disagrees with the widely accepted scientific view on climate change. Additionally, he financially supports the Young America Foundation, which backs conservative speakers on college campuses.
On November 8, 2019, Sajak had emergency surgery to fix a blockage in his intestines. While he was getting better, his co-host, Vanna White, stepped in to host the show. The first day he couldn’t be there was during a special Disney-themed Christmas episode week. Disney characters filled in for Vanna on the puzzle board that week. Sajak’s daughter, Maggie, also pitched in to help Vanna for a week. Finally, Sajak came back to work on December 5, 2019.
Pat Sajak’s Early Life
Pat Sajak was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 26, 1946. He graduated from Farragut High School in 1964 and started attending Columbia College Chicago while working as a desk clerk at The Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Initially, his last name was spelled as Sajdak, but he later changed it to Sajak to make it sound more like the American pronunciation.
During the Vietnam War, Sajak worked as a disc jockey in the U.S. Army for the American Forces Vietnam Network. He hosted the Dawn Buster radio show, which was the same show Adrian Cronauer had hosted. For 14 months, Sajak carried on Cronauer’s tradition of starting the show with the famous “Good Morning Vietnam!” sign-on.
Pat Sajak’s Career
DJ Gig
Pat Sajak won a contest on WLS radio’s Dick Biondi Show, earning him a chance to be a guest teen deejay. During his time at Columbia College Chicago, his broadcasting instructor, Al Parker, informed him about a job opportunity at a local radio station called WEDC. Sajak decided to give it a shot, applied for the position and landed the job, where he worked the graveyard shift from midnight to 6:00 a.m.
In 1968, Sajak enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Vietnam as a disc jockey for Armed Forces Radio. In a candid moment on the Military Channel’s show, “An Officer and a Movie,” Sajak confessed to making a mistake during President Richard Nixon’s 1969 Christmas broadcast to the troops. He accidentally cut off the broadcast too soon. Once he realized the error, Sajak decided it was better not to try to restart the broadcast.
In the early 1970s, Sajak worked as a DJ for a radio station in Murray, Kentucky, for about a year. During the same period, he started DJing at WSM in Nashville, a powerful 50,000-watt station. At WSM, they played pop music during the day, and Sajak played the afternoon personality role from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Weather Reporter
In 1977, KNBC-TV in Los Angeles needed a weather reporter and noticed Pat Sajak’s work in Nashville. Sajak agreed to become a full-time weather reporter for KNBC at their request.
Wheel of Fortune
In 1981, Merv Griffin approached Pat Sajak to see if he’d like to become the new host of “Wheel of Fortune,” replacing Chuck Woolery. But Fred Silverman, the president and CEO of NBC, said no, citing that Sajak’s experience was too localized. In response, Griffin halted new tapings of the show until Sajak was finally brought on board.
From 1983 to 1989, Sajak hosted the daytime version of “Wheel of Fortune” on NBC and the syndicated evening version. He continues to host the evening version today. In the 2018–19 season, Sajak marked his 36th year as the show’s host, making him the longest-running game show host. He surpassed Bob Barker, who hosted “The Price Is Right” from 1972 to 2007.
Sajak received official recognition from Guinness World Records during the episode recorded on March 28, 2019, and broadcast on May 8, 2019. This happened just two days before the evening version of the show reached its 7,000th episode.
In June 2023, Sajak revealed his plan to retire as the host of “Wheel of Fortune” in 2024, following the end of the show’s 41st season. Shortly after this announcement, it was confirmed that media personality Ryan Seacrest would be taking over as his successor.
Other Hosting Gigs
Pat Sajak had a brief stint hosting a late-night talk show on CBS from January 9, 1989, to April 13, 1990. Dan Miller, his old friend and former WSM-TV anchor from Nashville, joined him as his sidekick.
Sajak became a regular guest host on CNN’s “Larry King Live” when King was unavailable. He frequently filled in for Regis Philbin on the syndicated show “Live with Regis and Kelly.”
In 2003, Sajak hosted “Pat Sajak Weekend” on Fox News. Starting from at least 2002, he hosted “The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour,” a weekly sports talk show on radio. However, this show ended in 2006 due to scheduling conflicts.
Other Game Shows
Pat Sajak made multiple appearances on “Super Password” from 1984 to 1989 and also appeared on “Password Plus” in 1981, just before becoming the host of “Wheel of Fortune.” He also took part as a celebrity guest on several other game shows, including “Dream House,” “Just Men!,” and “Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour.”
Pat Sajak’s Controversy
Fans are criticizing Pat Sajak for what they see as an unfair call on one of the “Wheel of Fortune” episodes. In the episode, a college-aged contestant named Alexa solved a puzzle with just 10 seconds left on the clock. She correctly guessed “Just Winging It,” but Sajak ruled that she had responded after the buzzer, and her answer was not accepted.
Fans quickly turned to social media to vent their frustration. Many argued that Alexa’s answer was correct and believed Sajak had made an error by not awarding her the $100,000 prize. Some viewers even claimed they could hear Alexa saying, “Just Winging It,” before the buzzer sounded.
The debate over this issue has split the fans of the popular game show. Some demand that Sajak apologize and give Alexa the prize money she deserves. Conversely, some support the host’s decision, noting that Alexa’s answer didn’t precisely match the puzzle prompt.
This isn’t the first criticism directed at Sajak for his on-air actions. Previously, he made headlines when he asked wrestling star Austin Theory to remove his shirt during the show’s WWE-themed week. Some viewers accused Sajak of objectifying Theory, while others defended the host, considering it harmless fun.
Pat Sajak’s Real Estate
Pat Sajak purchased the six-bedroom, six-bathroom home back in 1988, and today, it’s estimated to be worth approximately $5.5 million. This 7,500-square-foot mansion is situated on a four-acre hillside property in Encino, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.
A lengthy private driveway conceals Sajak’s home amid lush greenery and palm trees. The backyard has a spacious in-ground pool next to a large patio stretching out into an expansive green garden. Sajak’s home boasts a distinctive architectural design, featuring two dome roofs separated by a glass ceiling. This layout gives him expansive scenic views from his windows and outdoor porch.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV Hosts
Mario Lopez’s Net Worth
Mario Lopez is an iconic figure in the entertainment industry, best known for his role as A.C. Slater in the 1990s hit teen sitcom, “Saved by the Bell.” Born in Chula Vista, California, on October 10, 1973, Lopez has built an illustrious career spanning acting, dancing, and hosting. He’s helmed various television programs, including the popular tabloid show “Extra” and the singing competition “The X Factor.” Apart from his TV ventures, Lopez has also made significant investments in real estate, recently acquiring a mansion in La Cañada Flintridge for $9.4 million. As of 2023, such ventures, along with his continuous presence on television, contribute to Mario Lopez’s net worth of approximately $35 million.
Samantha Bee’s Net Worth
Samantha Bee, a Canadian-American comedian and television host, gained fame as a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Recognized for her fearless and satirical approach to political comedy, she later launched her own late-night talk show, “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” This show received widespread critical acclaim for its candid commentary on current events and politics. Apart from her television career, Bee has been involved in several controversies, including one where she made a derogatory comment about Ivanka Trump. Furthermore, she has taken on roles in movies, theater, and other TV shows. With her enduring presence in the entertainment industry, Samantha Bee’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million.