Pat Sajak Of Anne Arundel Retiring From ‘Wheel of Fortune’ After 40 Years

CULVER CITY, CA — This coming season's "Wheel of Fortune" will be host Pat Sajak's final spin, the Anne Arundel County resident announced Monday.

Sajak, 76, has hosted "Wheel of Fortune" for 40 years. He'll complete his 41st year with the 2023-24 season and quit after helming one of the longest-running game shows in TV history. Only "Jeopardy" and "The Price Is Right" have been on television longer.

"Well, the time has come," Sajak 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. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it'll keep the clickbait sites busy!)"

Sajak still has a home with his wife in Severna Park, WJZ reported. The game show host is known locally for his contributions to the Sajak Pavilion at the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. He also used to own the 1430 WNAV radio station in Annapolis.

Related: 'Wheel Of Fortune's' Pat Sajak To Sell MD Radio Station For $1K

Sajak has been hosting "Wheel of Fortune" since 1981 when he took over from original host Chuck Woolery in 1975. His retirement marks the end of a TV era. He found his "Wheel of Fortune" partner Vanna White in 1982, and the pair have charmed audiences together ever since.

"As the host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years," Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, said in a written statement.

"We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season," she added. "Pat has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting, so we're thrilled to have him remaining close to the 'Wheel of Fortune' family."

Prete did not say if a replacement host has been chosen.

Sajak won three outstanding game show host Daytime Emmy Awards.

"In most television shows by this time, you would have said, 'That's probably enough,' but this show will not die," Sajak told Entertainment Tonight last year. "It appears I may go before the show."

Patch reporter Paige Austin originally wrote this story for the Los Angeles Patch. Patch reporter Jacob Baumgart adapted it for the Anne Arundel Patch.