The death of Alex Trebek has hit everyone hard, from fans who watched Jeopardy! on TV every night to celebrities who had the privilege of meeting Trebek over the years. But some stars were particularly close with the Jeopardy! host, like actor Ryan Reynolds, who had participated on the game show over the years. The actor recently revealed the last conversation he had with Trebek, shortly before he died from pancreatic cancer. Read on to learn what they discussed and for more on Trebek, read up on Who Alex Trebek Wanted to Replace Him as the Next "Jeopardy!" Host.
In a Nov. 16 interview with Extra, Reynolds revealed that Trebek had called him two months before he died to ask him to appear on Jeopardy! again. "It was a conversation about one of the shows he had coming up. I had been on the show a number of times. He was asking me about perhaps coming on again," Reynolds said. "I was shooting in Atlanta and was unable to do it, but I did get to speak with him, which is always a privilege and a pleasure."
Reynolds also admitted that the conversation forced him to look around at the people in his life and remember "not to take them for granted." After all, he said that while the host's death was not totally unexpected because of his illness, it was still "heartbreaking" and "absolutely gut-wrenching."
"You know, I was talking with Alex on the phone two months ago, and that was amazing and then, just like that, he's gone," Reynolds said. "You just never know; tomorrow is not a given. Hug them tight, the people in your life."
Trebek and Reynolds, both Canadians who made it big in the U.S., clearly had a close bond, as the actor also revealed in a tweet that Trebek has a cameo in his upcoming film Free Guy, set to be released next year. "Alex Trebek was kind enough to film a cameo for our film Free Guy last year despite his battle," Reynolds tweeted the day after Trebek's death. "He was gracious and funny. In addition to being curious, stalwart, generous, reassuring and of course, Canadian. We love you, Alex. And always will."
But Reynolds is not the only celebrity to honor Trebek after his death. For more celebrities who have publicly shared their love for the late host, read on, and for who fans want to see take his place, check out This Is Who Fans Want to Succeed Alex Trebek as Host of "Jeopardy!"
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1 Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper spoke out about Trebek's "calming presence" days after his death, saying that it was "thrilling to actually meet him."
"It's very rare that you have someone in a job like that for so long and who is so consistent and such a sort of calming presence. I just think he was pitch perfect in what he did day-in and day-out on that show," Cooper said during a Nov. 9 interview on SiriusXM's Radio Andy. "It was so thrilling to actually meet him. You wanted him to like you." And for more on Cooper, find out The One Anderson Cooper Had Banned From His Show.
2 Vanna White
Vanna White, of Wheel of Fortune fame, spent a lot of time with fellow game show host Trebek. She told People that she "will cherish the many memories" she shared with him, which "date back well before either of [their] careers took off."
"I will always be in awe of the way he faced the battle he fought so valiantly, and I'm devastated to lose my longtime friend," White added. And for celebrity news, sign up for our daily newsletter.
3 Ken Jennings
Ken Jennings, who is now a consulting producer on Jeopardy!, got to know Trebek when he fought to become the Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time champion. After Trebek's death, Jennings tweeted, "Alex wasn't just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I'm grateful for every minute I got to spend with him." And for the Jeopardy! contestants who didn't leave the same kind of mark, check out The One Type of "Jeopardy!" Contestant Alex Trebek Hated the Most.
4 Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan, former pro football player and current co-host of ABC's Good Morning America, took to Twitter after Trebek's death to call him "one of the sweetest souls" he has ever gotten the chance to spend time with. Strahan also said that Trebek was "always funny and kind." And for more on the late host, find out who What Alex Trebek Wanted for His Last "Jeopardy!" Episode.
Kali Coleman Kali Coleman is a Senior Editor at Best Life. Her primary focus is covering news, where she often keeps readers informed on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and up-to-date on the latest retail closures.Read moreFiled UnderCelebrities • Entertainment • NewsRead This NextWho Fans Want as the Next Host of "Jeopardy!"
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