Ryan Seacrest honors Pat Sajak after his final episode as host of Wheel of Fortune.
The American Idol host, 49, took his Instagram on Saturday to pay a heartfelt tribute to the 77-year-old game show host, who retired after 43 years leading the game show.
“Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune!” Ryan wrote alongside a photo of himself, Sajak and Vanna White on the set of the show.
“Your dedication, charm and humor have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades,” he continued.
“Your collaboration with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together you have created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for landlords everywhere and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors!’
Ryan Seacrest honors Pat Sajak after his final episode as host of Wheel of Fortune; (photo May)
The American Idol host, 49, took to his Instagram on Saturday to share a heartfelt tribute to the longtime game show host, 77, who stepped down after 43 years at the helm of the game show
Ryan will take over as host when filming begins for the new season of Wheel of Fortune, stepping into the role Pat has held since 1981.
On Friday, Pat thanked fans at the end of his final episode for tuning in “night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
He also took a moment to honor Vanna, his beloved cohost and friend.
“Like me, she takes the show very seriously, but not herself,” he said. “I shudder to think what these 40-plus years would have been like if they had brought someone who was completely his own and played the prima donna role.”
He continued, “Vanna is as sweet and humble as she seems. We’ve seen a lot of changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we’ve always been there for each other.’
Announcing his appearance on Wheel of Fortune in June 2023, Ryan wrote, “I am truly humbled to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak.
“I can say, along with the rest of America, that it has been a privilege and a pure joy to have Pat and Vanna on our television screens for forty years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”
He then wrote a personal message to the show’s longtime frontman.
He said: “Pat, I love the way you always put the spotlight on the contestants and put the viewers at home at ease. I look forward to learning everything from you during this transition.”
Ryan is also a veteran of the television hosting field with a career spanning 30 years. And he clearly wanted to remind fans that this wasn’t his first gig as a game show host.
He continued, “A lot of people probably don’t know this, but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show called ‘Click’ for Merv Griffin 25 years ago, so this is really a full-circle moment for me and I am grateful to Sony for the opportunity.
Ryan will take over the role of host when filming begins for the new season of Wheel of Fortune, taking on the role Pat has held since 1981; (pictured in 2023)
On Friday, Pat thanked fans at the end of his final episode for tuning in “night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
He also took a moment to honor Vanna, his beloved cohost and friend
In a tear-jerking touch, the episode opened with a flashback segment to Pat’s entrance during his very first episode of Wheel Of Fortune in 1981.
“I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working with the great Vanna White.”
Seacrest is one of the biggest media personalities in the US – he left his co-hosting gig on Live With Kelly And Ryan in 2023.
He has also hosted several other shows on television and radio, including American Idol and On Air With Ryan Seacrest.
In 2006, he became co-host and executive producer of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
