• Patrick Leonard Sajak was born on 26 October 1946 in Chicago, Illinois.
• As of mid-2018, his estimated net worth is $55 million.
• He is best known for hosting the TV game show “Wheel of Fortune” since 1983.
• He is married to photographer Lesly Brown Sajak since 1989, and they have two children.
• He is a financial supporter of the Young America’s Foundation and a member of the Churches of Christ.



Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthOctober 26, 1946
SpouseLesly Brown, Sherrill Sajak
FactFather of two children. Son, Patrick Michael James Sajak, was born Saturday, 22 September 1990. Daughter, Maggie Sajak, was born Thursday, 5 January 1995.


Who is Pat Sajak?

Patrick Leonard Sajak was born on 26 October 1946, in Chicago, Illinois USA, of part-Polish descent and is a television personality, host, and former weatherman, best known for his work as the host of the TV game show “Wheel of Fortune”.

The Wealth of Pat Sajak

How rich is Pat Sajak? As of mid-2018, sources estimate a net worth that is at $55 million, mostly earned through success on television – he made appearances in numerous popular television series throughout the course of his career. As he continues his endeavors, it is expected that his wealth will also continue to increase.

Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings

Pat’s father was a factory worker. He attended Farragut High School and after matriculating, studied at Columbia College Chicago. During college, he worked as a desk clerk at the hotel called Palmer House, and then in 1968 joined the US Army, and served with the American Forces Vietnam Network, for which he became a disc jockey during the Vietnam War.

He was a part of Armed Forces Radio, serving until 1970. He then moved to a radio station in Murray, Kentucky, working there for a year before moving to be a DJ at the station WSM, which played pop music for most of the day. The radio station had a television sister company – WSMV – which later called him to work in front of the camera. He initially did voiceovers before eventually finding work as an anchor for five minute newscasts held during NBC’s “Today Show”. He then got a job as a weatherman, which led him to work with KNBC-TV, where he stayed full time for many years.
https://twitter.com/patsajak/status/1003754133638320129

Wheel of Fortune and Later Work

In 1981, Sajak was asked by Merv Griffin if he was interested in taking over as the host of “Wheel of Fortune”, however, the initial request was rejected as the CEO of NBC felt that he was too local. He was eventually accepted as host when Merv issued a moratorium to stop new tapings until Sajak was hired, subsequently becoming the host of “Wheel” from 1983 to 1989, before continuing on to host the current version of the show.


Aside from his work on “Wheel of Fortune”, he has appearing in numerous films and other television shows. He was a part of “Airplane II: The Sequel” as a newscaster before appearing in shows such as “Super Password” and “Password Plus”, and he also became a guest on “Just Men!’ In 1989, he had a late-night talk show on CBS, which was however short lived but it opened him to becoming a frequent guest host on “Larry King Live” as well as a substitute host on “Live with Regis and Kelley”. In 2003, he started hosting a program entitled “Pat Sajak Weekend” for the Fox News Channel.

Recent Projects

It is known that Pat is the External Director of the publishing house Eagle Publishing and he has also written for the publication “Human Events”. He’s appeared in several sitcoms and other television shows later in his career, including “The King of Queens” and “Days of Our Lives”. In 2010, he began writing for the National Review Online, and he’s also authored several puzzle games. He’s also appeared in “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” and “Highly Questionable”. He is slated to continue being the host of “Wheel of Fortune” until 2020.

Due to his popularity as the host of “Wheel of Fortune”, he’s been referenced several times in popular culture. He was parodied in a sketch of “Sesame Street”, and was often mentioned by Martin Short in “Saturday Night Live” during a sketch in which Short portrayed a pop culture-obsessed man child named Ed Grimley. He’s also been mentioned in shows such as “Animaniacs” and “Brickleberry”.

Personal Life

For his personal life, Sajak was married to Sheryl from 1979-86, and has been married to photographer Lesly Brown Sajak since 1989; they have two children together. The family has homes in Los Angeles, California, and in Severna Park, Maryland. He is also an investor in the Golden Baseball League which is an independent league featuring teams from several parts of the US. He has also tried his hand at calling baseball games in the past.

Sajak has supported several political personalities over the course of his career, and it’s been noted that he has donated over $17,000 to election committees and candidates associated with the Republican Party. He is a financial supporter of the Young America’s Foundation, and a member of the Churches of Christ. He also mentioned to the media that he is a climate change skeptic.

General Info

Full NamePat Sajak
Date Of BirthOctober 26, 1946
Height1.77 m
ProfessionGame Show Host, Television producer, Film producer, Talk show host, Actor, Radio personality
EducationColumbia College Chicago
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseLesly Brown, Sherrill Sajak
ChildrenMaggie Sajak, Patrick Michael James Sajak
ParentsJoyce Backal

Accomplishments

AwardsDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host, People's Choice Award for Favorite Game Show Host
MoviesAirplane II: The Sequel
TV ShowsWheel of Fortune, The Pat Sajak Show, The Price Is Right, Pat Sajak Weekend, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1When a politician begins a sentence with 'What the Anerican people want...' It's time to change the channel.
2[on the death of Richard Dawson]: He was able to inject his unique brand of humor into shows like Family Feud (1976). He could be funny and biting, mischievous and playful, but he always respected the game and treated his players with kindness.
3[on relaxing with margaritas between tapings of 'Wheel of Fortune'] Vanna and I would have two or three or six and then have trouble recognizing the alphabet.
4Being a conservative in Hollywood is like walking into a shooting range with a bullseye attached to your body. There are more of us than you would believe, but if you want to keep working, you feel like you have to keep quiet.
5It's a stressful place to live. It's nice to leave L.A. for a few months and live somewhere more down to earth and easy going. It's also close to my wife's side of the family, and that's important to her.
6[on the death of Dan Miller]: Dan was an extraordinarily caring and talented man. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life.
7Working with Merv (Griffin) can be quite the experience. I remember once going out to lunch and the waiter asked, "May I take your order?" Merv then pulls out his notebook and says, "Great idea!" He writes what the waiter said down and turns to me saying, "This will be a great puzzle for the show." He is one of the brightest and smartest men I have ever met.
8I honestly didn't think the show was going to last much longer when I started in 1981. I thought a year would be lucky, 13 weeks more likely before it was back to forecasting the weather.

Facts

#Fact
1His mentor was Merv Griffin.
2Best known by the public as the second host of Wheel of Fortune (1975).
3His father was of Polish ancestry.
4Is a Republican.
5Comedian Martin Short who played Ed Grimley, was totally obsessed with him.
6When a contestant on Wheel of Fortune (1975) solved a puzzle on Marla Gibbs, she made a guest appearance.
7Wheel of Fortune (1975)'s second full-time host after Chuck Woolery. Succeeded by retired football kicker, Rolf Benirschke, then Entertainment Tonight's Bob Goen,.
8Received an Emmy lifetime achievement award on June 19, 2011.
9Pat, along with co-host Vanna White, aired their 5,000th taping of Wheel of Fortune (1983) on Saturday, February 28th, 2009.
10Accomplished helicopter pilot.
11A huge hockey fan and his favorite team is the L.A. Kings.
12Listed in 2001 issue of U.S. pop music magazine "Spin" as a co-composer for group Slayer.
13Has a Sesame Street Muppet made in his likeness named Pat Playjacks, known on Sesame Street (1969) as the nicest game show host.
14Hosted a few game show pilots before landing the Wheel of Fortune (1975) hosting job in 1981. He also hosted one other game show, "College Bowl", in 1984.
15Father of two children. Son, Patrick Michael James Sajak, was born Saturday, 22 September 1990. Daughter, Maggie Sajak, was born Thursday, 5 January 1995.
16Did a rendition of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple on stage in Hawaii with Joe Moore.
17Roommate of Joe Moore when they served in Vietnam.
18Was a disc jockey on the armed forces radio while he served in Vietnam.
19Sajak got his start as a weatherman at WSM-TV Nashville before moving to KNBC Los Angeles where he got the exposure that landed him a spot on Wheel of Fortune (1975).

Pictures

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sullivan & Son2013TV SeriesPat Sajak
Mission of Mercy2003Video short voice
The King of Queens2001TV SeriesPat Sajak
The Larry Sanders Show1994-1998TV SeriesPat Sajak
Rugrats1994TV SeriesPat Sajak
The Commish1992TV SeriesDr. Brian Brandon
Santa Barbara1988TV SeriesPat Sajak
2271986TV SeriesPat Sajak
The A-Team1986TV SeriesPat Sajak
Washingtoon1985TV SeriesAnnouncer
Gimme a Break!1984TV SeriesPat Sajak
Airplane II: The Sequel1982Buffalo Anchorman
Days of Our Lives1965TV SeriesKevin Hathaway (1983)

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Merry Christmas Space Case2003Short executive producer
Space Case2001Short executive producer
Leo the Late Bloomer1999Short executive producer
The Pat Sajak Show1989-1990TV Series executive producer - 6 episodes

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Wheel of FortuneTV Series flipper gripper - 2 episodes, 2010 sasquatch wrangler - 1 episode, 2010 carousel ticket agent - 1 episode, 2010 hometown hero - 1 episode, 2010 queasy rider - 1 episode, 2010 director of holiday cheer - 1 episode, 2009 vowel whisperer - 1 episode, 2009 senior view finder - 1 episode, 2009

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out1992TV Movie special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Wheel of Fortune1983-2017TV SeriesHimself - Host / Himself - Contestant
American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes2016TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival2015TV SpecialHimself - Prerecorded Greeting
The Honors: A Salute to American Heroes2015TV Movie documentaryHimself
Late Show with David Letterman2015TV SeriesHimself
The Honors: A Salute to American Heroes2014TV Movie documentaryHimself
On the Streets2012TV SeriesHimself
The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards2011TV SpecialHimself - Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
National Memorial Day Parade2011TV MovieHimself
Wheel of Fortune2010Video GameHimself - Host
Jeopardy!1993-2010TV SeriesHimself - Contestant / Himself - Fake Host / Himself - Guest Host / ...
The Battle for Late Night2010TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Bonnie Hunt Show2008TV SeriesHimself
Live with Kelly and Michael2003-2008TV SeriesHimself - Guest Host / Himself
Entertainment Tonight2007TV SeriesHimself
Season of the Samurai2006DocumentaryHimself
6ABC Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade2006TV MovieHimself
Channel 4 News2005TV SeriesHimself - Weatherman
E! True Hollywood Story2005TV Series documentaryHimself
Rated 'R': Republicans in Hollywood2004TV Movie documentaryHimself
The 30th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards2003TV SpecialHimself
Pat Sajak Weekend2003TV SeriesHimself / Host
Larry King Live2000-2001TV SeriesHimself - Guest Host
Just Shoot Me!2000TV SeriesHimself
The Daily Show1999TV SeriesHimself
The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1998TV SpecialHimself - Audience Member
Most Unlikely Heroes1996TV SpecialHimself
Wheel of Fortune1994Video GameHimself - Host
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1993TV SeriesHimself
Late Night with David Letterman1984-1993TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest
Adventures in Wonderland1993TV SeriesHimself
American Bandstand's 40th Anniversary Special1992TV MovieHimself
The Chuck Woolery Show1991TV SeriesHimself
Happy Birthday, Bugs!: 50 Looney Years1990TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Pat Sajak Show1989-1990TV SeriesHimself - Host
Lou Rawls Parade of Stars1989TV SeriesHimself
Wheel of Fortune1981-1989TV SeriesHimself - Host
Super Password1984-1988TV SeriesHimself - Celebrity Contestant
CBS This Morning1988TV SeriesHimself
America This Morning1988TV SeriesHimself
The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards1987TV SpecialHimself - Winner: Favourite Television Game Show Host
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1986TV SpecialHimself - Host
NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration1986TV Special documentaryHimself
KTLA at 40: A Celebration of Los Angeles Television1986TV MovieHimself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1985TV SpecialHimself - Host
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1984TV SpecialHimself - Host
Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour1984TV SeriesHimself - Panelist
Just Men!1983TV SeriesHimself
Password Plus1981TV SeriesHimself - Celebrity Contestant
The Sunday Show1976TV SeriesCo-host
The NewsCenter1974TV SeriesHimself - L.A. Anchor

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sunshine Superman2014DocumentaryHimself
Pearl Jam Twenty2011DocumentaryHimself (uncredited)
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien2009TV SeriesHimself
2009 Game Show Awards2009TV SpecialHimself
101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments2004TV MovieHimself
101 Biggest Celebrity Oops2004TV Special documentaryHimself - #66: Terrible Talk Shows
The Most Outrageous Game Show Moments2002TV SpecialHimself
Playboy: The Best of Pamela Anderson1995Video documentaryHimself
Northern Exposure1991TV SeriesHimself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2011Lifetime Achievement AwardDaytime Emmy Awards
1998Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1997Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1994Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameTelevisionOn 10 February 1994. At 6200 Hollywood Blvd.
1993Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1987People's Choice AwardPeople's Choice Awards, USAFavorite Game Show Host

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2015Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
2010Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
2008Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
2007Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
2003Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
2003OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Host of a Game ShowWheel of Fortune (1983)
2002Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
2000Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1999Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1999OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Host of a Game ShowWheel of Fortune (1983)
1998OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Host of a Game ShowWheel of Fortune (1983)
1997OFTA Television AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest Host of a Game ShowWheel of Fortune (1983)
1989Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1987Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1986Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostWheel of Fortune (1983)
1985Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Special Class ProgramMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1984)
1985Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Host in a Game ShowWheel of Fortune (1983)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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