Ryan Seacrest pays tribute to Pat Sajak following his final episode as host of Wheel of Fortune.
The American Idol host, 49, took his instagram Saturday to share a heartfelt tribute to the 77-year-old veteran game show host, who said goodbye after 43 years at the helm of the game show.
‘Pat, congratulations on your incredible career with Wheel of Fortune!’ Ryan wrote alongside a photo of him, Sajak and Vanna White on the set of the show.
“His dedication, charm and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades,” he continued.
‘His partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic and together they have created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future projects!’
Ryan Seacrest pays tribute to Pat Sajak after his final episode as host of Wheel of Fortune; (pictured from May)
The American Idol host, 49, took to his Instagram on Saturday to share a heartfelt tribute to the game show host, 77, who said goodbye after 43 years hosting the game show.
Ryan will take over as host when filming begins on the new season of Wheel of Fortune, taking over the role previously held by Pat since 1981.
On Friday, Pat thanked fans at the end of his latest episode for tuning in “night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
He also took a moment to honor Vanna, his dear co-host 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 in someone full of himself, playing the role of prima donna.”
He continued: ‘Vanna is as sweet and down-to-earth as they come. We have seen many changes in each other’s lives over the years, but we have always been there for each other.’
Announcing his Wheel of Fortune gig in June 2023, Ryan wrote: “I am truly honored 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 watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel at home with them.”
He went on to write a personal message to the program’s veteran leader.
He said: ‘Pat, I love the way you have always celebrated the contestants and made the viewers at home feel comfortable. I hope to learn as much as I can from you during this transition.’
Ryan is also a veteran as a television presenter and enjoys 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 coming full circle moment for me and I’m grateful by Sony for the opportunity.
Ryan will take over as host when filming begins on the new season of Wheel of Fortune, taking over the role previously held by Pat since 1981; (pictured in 2023)
On Friday, Pat thanked fans at the end of his latest episode for tuning in “night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
He also took a moment to honor Vanna, his dear co-host and friend.
In a touching touch, the episode began with a flashback to Pat’s entrance in her first episode of Wheel Of Fortune in 1981.
“I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
Seacrest is one of the biggest media personalities in the US – he left his job as a co-host on Live With Kelly And Ryan in 2023.
He has also hosted several other television and radio shows, 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.
