by Jeanni Ritchie
In September Ryan Seacrest steps into the shoes of Pat Sajak, who has hosted Wheel of Fortune since 1981.
Seacrest is no stranger replacing beloved celebrities, having taken over for an ailing Dick Clark on New Year’s Eve in 2005. In 2009, the annual program was renamed Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest. The year before, he’d taken over Casey Kasem’s popular American Top 40 countdown on the radio.
By then, Seacrest had already established himself as one of America’s most endearing hosts as he cheered on contestants and “dimmed the lights” on American Idol. It was his seventh reality show hosting gig but the one that catapulted him into stardom.
Seacrest went on to host E! News, work as a Today show correspondent, and join Kelly Ripa as co-host of Live With Kelly and Ryan, all while serving behind the scenes as an executive producer for several successful reality shows.
Now he joins Vanna White as contestants spin the wheel for money and prizes on the game show gearing up for its 50th anniversary in January.
Exiting host Pat Sajak left viewers with heartfelt words on-air during his final appearance. “The time has come to say goodbye,” Sajak said. “I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go, and I want to start with all of you watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
