Alex Trebek, the longtime host of "Jeopardy," has passed away after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Twitter account for "Jeopardy" broke the news of Trebek's passing to fans on Sunday. According to the show, the Canadian-American television personality passed away at home early Sunday morning while surrounded by family and friends.
Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex. pic.twitter.com/Yk2a90CHIM
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 8, 2020
Trebek revealed in March 2019 that he was undergoing treatment for stage four pancreatic cancer but was remaining optimistic.
"Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer," Trebek said in March. "Now normally the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I'm gonna fight this."
In May 2019, Trebek shared the positive news that his tumors had shrunk in size after undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The host returned to work on "Jeopardy's" 36th season, but broke the news to fans later that year that his tumors required further treatment.
In an interview with Canadian television in Oct. 2019, Trebek said he wasn't afraid to accept his fate regardless of the outcome.
"I’m not afraid of dying," Trebek revealed. "I’ve lived a good life, a full life, and I’m nearing the end of that life … if it happens, why should I be afraid of it?
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 90 percent of patients diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer die within five years.
Trebek was 80 years old.
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