Pat Sajak is saying goodbye to Wheel of Fortune after 41 seasons as the host of the beloved word puzzle game show. Sajak announced the news last summer, ahead of the start of his final season. "Well, the time has come.
I've decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last," he wrote on social media. "It's been a wonderful ride, and I'll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all.
" Sajak has served as host of Wheel of Fortune since 1981, when he took over the position from Chuck Woolery, and has been the stalwart leader of the popular game show ever since. Sajak spoke with ET in September 2022, and admitted at the time that retirement was on his mind. "Years go by fast.
We're getting near the end. It's been a long [time]. We're not gonna do this for another 40 years.
The end is near," he shared. "It's an honor to have been in people's living rooms for that long. People were out there welcoming us.
We're happy and proud." As for what he'll be up to upon his Wheel departure, Sajak told his daughter , Maggie, "I'm perfectly happy if it just means that I'll continue with my crossword puzzles and play with grandchildren. Hint hint hint, no pressure.
" In addition to those plans, Sajak has landed his first post- Wheel gig : a starring role in Hawaii Theatre's production of Prescription: Murder . He'll act in the Roy Duval-directed play alongside Joe Moore, Bryce Moore, Therese Olival, Amy K. Sullivan and Aiko Chinen.
While Sajak is saying go.
