Pat Sajak’s reign at Wheel of Fortune came to a close with Friday’s episode as the longtime host bid farewell to the popular game show Friday after 41 seasons of wheel-spinning and vowel-buying.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” Sajak told the audience, both those in the studio and the millions who watch from home.
“I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go. And I want to start with all of you watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade. And I always felt that the privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun. No social issues. No politics. Nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game. But gradually, it became more than that.”
Sajak added, “A place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors, and entire generations. What an honor to play even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.”
The 77-year-old Sajak first started hosting Wheel of Fortune back in 1981. In June 2023, he revealed on social media that the then-upcoming 41st season of the game show would be his last. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all,” he said at the time.
Soon after announcing his retirement from Wheel, it was announced that Ryan Seacrest would take over the reins of the show, with Sajak’s longtime co-host Vanna White sticking around to reveal letters through at least the 2025-26 season.
Prior to Sajak’s final episode, White shared her own video tribute to the host Thursday. “I don’t know how to put into words what these past 40 years have meant to me but I’m going to try,” White said in the video. “8000 episodes went by like that. When I first started, I was so green. You made me so comfortable and so confident, Pat. You made me who I am, you really did.”
She added, “As this chapter of our lives is coming to an end, I know you’ll still be close by. You’re like a brother to me and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore. I love you, Pat.”