Lower than a yr after retirement, Pat Sajak is stepping again behind the wheel.
After an emotional farewell to Wheel of Fortune in June 2024, the previous host is returning to guide season 5 of the present’s spinoff, Celeb Wheel of Fortune, which premieres on ABC on April 30.
In June 2023, Sajak introduced on X that it might be his last season internet hosting Wheel of Fortune. Throughout his last episode on June 7, 2024, he addressed the viewers with a heartfelt speech, saying, “Effectively, the time has come to say goodbye. I’ve a couple of thanks and acknowledgements earlier than I am going. And I wish to begin with all of you watching on the market.”
“It’s been an unimaginable privilege to be invited into tens of millions of houses evening after evening, yr after yr, decade after decade,” the TV veteran mentioned. “And I’ve at all times felt that the privilege got here with a duty to maintain this day by day half hour a secure place for household enjoyable. No social points, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Only a recreation.”
So, what has Pat Sajak been as much as since retiring from Wheel of Fortune? Here is every part to find out about his life after stepping away from the sport present.
How lengthy was Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune?
Sajak joined the beloved recreation present in 1981, succeeding host Chuck Woolery, who left to pursue different endeavors within the leisure trade and died in July 2024.
“Please don’t regulate your units at residence, Chuck Woolery has not shrunk,” he joked in his first introduction, referring to their top distinction.
Sajak led Wheel of Fortune for over 4 a long time and has acquired approval for his contributions, together with being awarded a star on Hollywood’s Stroll of Fame in 1994.
In April 2018, he was inducted into the Nationwide Affiliation of Broadcasters Corridor of Fame. He additionally holds the Guinness World Data title for having the longest profession as a recreation present host for a similar present.
As for accolades, he was offered with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2011. Since then, he has gained a number of Emmys and a Individuals’s Selection Award.
Why did Pat Sajak retire from Wheel of Fortune?
In June 2024, Sajak’s daughter Maggie — who has served as Wheel of Fortune’s social correspondent since 2021 — interviewed her father in a miniseries titled “Thanks For The Recollections,” throughout which he offered extra perception about his choice to retire.
“My purpose was to not do the job till I keel over on it,” he mentioned. “You’ve got at all times heard me say this dozens of occasions, I would slightly go away a pair years too early than a few years too late.”
“Might I nonetheless do it? Yeah, I believe I might for some time. There’s additionally another issues in life that we would love to do,” Sajak continued. “It has been an excellent 40 years, and I am trying ahead to no matter’s forward.”
He went on to say he was “comfy” together with his choice, and that he thought the “time is true.”
Has Pat Sajak returned to Wheel of Fortune since retiring?
Although he’s making a particular return as host for season 5 of Celeb Wheel of Fortune, it is not Sajak’s first time again on the wheel since retiring.
On Dec. 2, 2024, Sajak returned as host for a particular vacation episode of Celeb Wheel of Fortune.
In keeping with a press launch, season 5 of Celeb Wheel of Fortune will mark Sajak’s “last spin” as host. Among the many celebrities set to compete are Cameron Brink, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Corridor and Oscar Nuñez.
Is Pat Sajak nonetheless shut with former co-host Vanna White?
In his emotional goodbye message throughout his last episode of Wheel of Fortune, Sajak gave a particular shout-out to his longtime co-host and “skilled different half,” Vanna White.
“We have seen a number of modifications in one another’s lives over time, however we have at all times been there for one another,” he mentioned. “Whereas I am going to very a lot miss working along with her, I take solace in the truth that we stay about 5 miles aside so we’ll see loads of one another. However I’ll miss our nightly closes and her laughter and her good nature.”
Since he has exited the present, the pair have continued to stay shut off-screen. Throughout an April 2025 dialog with TV Insider, White shared that they see one another usually.
“We’re buddies. We’ve got dinner! Yeah, he’s nonetheless in my life,” she mentioned.
White went on to say that getting along with Sajak is like “slipping into one thing very comfy.”
“I imply that in the absolute best manner. It’s simply comfy,” she added.
What has Pat Sajak been as much as since retiring from Wheel of Fortune?
Shortly after he introduced his retirement, the EVP of Recreation Reveals at Sony Footage Tv Suzanne Prete instructed ipromiseyoumedia that Sajak would function a advisor on Wheel of Fortune for 3 years after his exit.
The longtime TV star will even end up internet hosting season 5 of Celeb Wheel of Fortune, which can mark his final run on the present.
In his interview with Maggie, Sajak shared that whereas he was stepping away from his function, he wasn’t utterly retiring. Nonetheless, he went on to say that to ensure that him to seek out his subsequent mission, it must be one thing “particular” and “designed for me.”
“One thing thrilling and completely different and difficult,” he added. “However I am completely blissful if it simply signifies that I am going to proceed with my crossword puzzles and play with my grandchildren.”
It wasn’t lengthy till he discovered his subsequent gig. From July 31 to Aug. 10, 2025, Sajak will star in a play, Prescription: Homicide, at The Hawaii Theatre alongside KHON-TV Hawaii newscaster Joe Moore. The 2 turned buddies after serving time within the military in Vietnam collectively.
