Earlier this month, on June 12, beloved Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak announced his plans for retirement. Season 41, which begins in September, will be his last. Today, audiences learned who will fill his shoes in 2024.
Ryan Seacrest will take over for Pat, adding another hosting gig to his already impressive resume. The Live alum is honored and excited for what is to come. He cannot wait to team up with Vanna White to bring nightly joy to countless Americans.
"I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak," Ryan wrote in a statement celebrating the big announcement. "I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them." Producers on the series confirmed Ryan signed a multiyear deal and will also act as a consulting producer.
"Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition,” Ryan gushed.
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Wheel of Fortune was first created by Merv Griffin in 1975 and quickly grew into a pop culture phenomenon. Pat began on the series in 1981 alongside Vanna. During his impressive tenure on the series, he has been awarded three Daytime Emmy Awards and in 2011 he took home a lifetime achievement Emmy.
Pat kept his initial retirement announcement short and sweet. "Well, the time has come," he tweeted. "I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months." Certainly more will be said when the big day becomes more of a reality.
