Jeopardy's Alex Trebek Has Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Alex Trebek, the longtime host of "Jeopardy," has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he revealed Wednesday.

Though the disease has a high mortality rate, Trebek told fans he plans to beat it. He also has no plans to quit the show as he battles for his life. In an intimate and playful announcement to his fans, Trebek revealed the diagnosis, encouraging his supporters to keep hope.

"Just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer," he said. "Now, normally the prognosis is not very encouraging, but I am going to fight this and I am going to keep working, and with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers, also, I plan to beat the low-survival rate statistic for this disease. Truth told, I have to because under the terms of my contract I have to host jeopardy for three more years. So help me. Keep the faith, and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you."

The 78-year-old game-show host has been a household name for decades. He's been hosting "Jeopardy" since 1984, but took a leave of absence last year to undergo surgery for a blood clot in his brain. However, he came back from the scare, and renewed his contract to continue with the show through 2022.

Trebek renewed his contract last year after briefly mulling plans to retire. After recovering from surgery, he told TMZ he still enjoys doing the show but wants to make an "intelligent decision" about when to call it quits.

While Trebek isn't ready to leave Jeopardy, he can envision the show without him one day. Last year, he named two people he could envision at the helm of the long running quiz show: The LA Kings young play-by-play announcer Alex Faust, 28, and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates.

RELATED:

• Alex Trebek Hints At 'Jeopardy!' Exit
• 'Jeopardy!' Host Alex Trebek Recovering From Brain Surgery