By KAITLYN HUAMANI
LOS ANGELES — After 41 years and over 8,000 episodes,
Pat Sajak’s
final turn as the renowned host of “Wheel of Fortune” will air tonight — Friday, June 7.
In a farewell message released ahead of Friday’s episode airing, Sajak thanked the viewers of the beloved game show for granting him the “incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes, night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
He noted that he always found it important to keep the daily half-hour show a “safe place for family fun,” excluding any social issues or political topics from the banter he shared with contestants and his co-host and letter turner,
Vanna White
. He said he wanted to keep the show “just a game,” before noting that to many, it became a part of their daily lives.
![FILE – Vanna White, left, and Pat Sajak make an...]()
FILE – Vanna White, left, and Pat Sajak make an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” in New York on Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)
![FILE – Pat Sajak, left, and Vanna White appear aboard...]()
FILE – Pat Sajak, left, and Vanna White appear aboard the Wheel of Fortune Express in Miami on Feb. 12, 1987 to tour 33 cities from Miami to Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Judy Sloan, File)
![FILE – Johnna Goodwin, left, watches as Donna Handel, right,...]()
FILE – Johnna Goodwin, left, watches as Donna Handel, right, reacts after winning on “Wheel of Fortune,” with host Pat Sajak during a taping of the game show in Philadelphia on April 17, 1999. The game show was in Philadelphia for the weekend taping a week’s worth of shows. Ryan Seacrest will replace the retiring Sajak as host of “Wheel of Fortune.” (AP Photo/William Thomas Cain, File)
![Pat Sajak attends a ceremony honoring Harry Friedman with a...]()
Pat Sajak attends a ceremony honoring Harry Friedman with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2019, left, and Ryan Seacrest attends the Walt Disney Television 2019 upfront in New York on May 14, 2019. Seacrest will become the new “Wheel of Fortune” host after Pat Sajak’s retirement next year. Seacrest and Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday that Seacrest has signed a multi-year deal to host the long-running game show starting with Season 42. (AP Photo)
![FILE – In this Sept. 29, 2007 file photo, co-host...]()
FILE – In this Sept. 29, 2007 file photo, co-host Vanna White and host Pat Sajak make an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” in New York. Sajak had to have emergency surgery, and his longtime sidekick Vanna White is filling in as host while he recovers. The show says on its social media accounts that the Thursday. Nov. 7, 2019, taping was canceled as the 73-year-old Sajak underwent successful emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)
![Pat Sajak and Vanna White being interviewed by Entertainment Tonight...]()
Pat Sajak and Vanna White being interviewed by Entertainment Tonight at the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame Awards at the Encore Wynn Hotel on Monday, April 9, 2018, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Robb Cohen/Invision/AP)
![Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Harry Friedman at...]()
Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Harry Friedman at the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame Awards at the Encore Wynn Hotel on Monday, April 9, 2018, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Robb Cohen/Invision/AP)
![Pat Sajak and Vanna White inducted into the NAB Broadcasting...]()
Pat Sajak and Vanna White inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame at the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame Awards at the Encore Wynn Hotel on Monday, April 9, 2018, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Robb Cohen/Invision/AP)
![Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Harry Friedman at...]()
Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Harry Friedman at the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame Awards at the Encore Wynn Hotel on Monday, April 9, 2018, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Robb Cohen/Invision/AP)
![FILE – In a Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 file photo,...]()
FILE – In a Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 file photo, game show hosts Vanna White and Pat Sajak arrive at the 17th annual Broacasting and Cable Hall of Fame awards dinner in New York. “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune”, in cooperation with the veterans’ support campaign Got Your 6, are using the week of Nov. 9, 2015 episodes to spotlight those who have served. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File)
![Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak is seen during batting...]()
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak is seen during batting practice before a spring exhibition baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sarasota, Fla., Sunday, March 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
![Stars of the game shown “Wheel of Fortune” join creator...]()
Stars of the game shown “Wheel of Fortune” join creator Merv Griffin, second from left, to celebrate taping of the 5,000th show, in Hollywood, Nov. 3, 1989. The show was launched in 1975. From left are nighttime host Pat Sajak, Griffin, co-host Vanna White and Bob Goen, daytime host. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
![“Wheel of Fortune” co-host Vanna White, center, poses with co-host...]()
“Wheel of Fortune” co-host Vanna White, center, poses with co-host Pat Sajak, left, and executive producer/creator Merv Griffin to celebrate White signing a new three-year contract with the show in Los Angeles, March 12, 1992. White marks her tenth year with the popular game shown in 1992. (AP Photo/Rhonda Birndorf)
![Television personality Pat Sajak, left, and, television personality Alex Trebek...]()
Television personality Pat Sajak, left, and, television personality Alex Trebek pose together with their awards in the press room at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 19, 2011. Sajak and Trebek both received Lifetime Achievement Awards. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
![Television personality Pat Sajak arrives at the 38th Annual Daytime...]()
Television personality Pat Sajak arrives at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 19th, 2011. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
![Johnna Goodwin, left, watches as Donna Handel, right, reacts after...]()
Johnna Goodwin, left, watches as Donna Handel, right, reacts after winning on the Wheel of Fortune, with host Pat Sajak, center, during a taping of the game show Saturday, April 17, 1999, at the Apollo of Temple University in Philadelphia. The game show was in Philadelphia for the weekend taping a week’s worth of shows. (AP Photo/William Thomas Cain)
![Game Show Host’s Vanna White and Pat Sajak arrive at...]()
Game Show Host’s Vanna White and Pat Sajak arrive at the 17th annual Broacasting and Cable Hall of Fame awards dinner at Cipriani’s 42nd street, Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Game Show Host’s Vanna White and Pat Sajak arrive at...]()
Game Show Host’s Vanna White and Pat Sajak arrive at the 17th annual Broacasting and Cable Hall of Fame awards dinner at Cipriani’s 42nd street, Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Host Pat Sajak (L), contestant Megan Sippey, actor Neil Patrick...]()
Host Pat Sajak (L), contestant Megan Sippey, actor Neil Patrick Harris, contestant Seth Ramus, actress Diane Neal, contestant Diana Mallon and actor Robert Gossett (R)make an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Host Pat Sajak, contestant Megan Sippey and actor Neil Patrick...]()
Host Pat Sajak, contestant Megan Sippey and actor Neil Patrick Harris make an apperance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Host Pat Sajak makes an apperance at Radio City Music...]()
Host Pat Sajak makes an apperance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Contestan Susan Moran (L), host Pat Sajak (C), and tv...]()
Contestan Susan Moran (L), host Pat Sajak (C), and tv personality Jeff Probst make an apperance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Co-host Vanna White and host Pat Sajak make an appearance...]()
Co-host Vanna White and host Pat Sajak make an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Co-host Vanna White (L), actor Jacob Young, actress Gina Tognoni...]()
Co-host Vanna White (L), actor Jacob Young, actress Gina Tognoni (C), host Pat Sajak and actress Robin Strasser (R) make an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Actress Paige Hemmis (L), host Pat Sajak, co-host Vanna White...]()
Actress Paige Hemmis (L), host Pat Sajak, co-host Vanna White (C), tv personality Jeff Probst and actress Alison Sweeney (R) make an appearance at Radio City Music Hall for a taping of celebrity week on “Wheel of Fortune” hosted by People Magazine. The taped shows will air the week of November 12 to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary in New York, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White arrive...]()
“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White arrive at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Wheel of Fortune” sponsored by People magazine in New York, Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White arrive...]()
“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White arrive at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Wheel of Fortune” sponsored by People magazine in New York, Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Vanna White, co-host of “Wheel of Fortune”, eats cake fed...]()
Vanna White, co-host of “Wheel of Fortune”, eats cake fed to her by host Pat Sajak at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the game show in New York, Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Vanna White, co-host of “Wheel of Fortune”, arrives with host...]()
Vanna White, co-host of “Wheel of Fortune”, arrives with host Pat Sajak at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the game show in New York, Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
![Vanna White, right, talks with “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat...]()
Vanna White, right, talks with “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak at a reception at the Beverly Hilton hotel after the funeral of entertainer and producer Merv Griffin in Beverly Hills, Calif., Friday, August 17, 2007. Griffin, 82, died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007 of prostate cancer. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
![Television personality Pat Sajak arrives at the 38th Annual Daytime...]()
Television personality Pat Sajak arrives at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 19th, 2011. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
![This is a 1989 photograph of Pat Sajak, host of...]()
This is a 1989 photograph of Pat Sajak, host of the popular television game show “Wheel of Fortune.” Sajak will host CBS’s late-night talk show “The Pat Sajak Show.” (AP Photo/Alan Greth)
![Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh, left, is is shown with Pat...]()
Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh, left, is is shown with Pat Sajak, host of the “Pat Sajak Show,” during Bayh’s guest appearance in Los Angeles, July 4, 1989. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
![Pat Sajak and Vanna white are preparing to leave Miami...]()
Pat Sajak and Vanna white are preparing to leave Miami aboard The Wheel Of Fortune Express early Thursday morning, February 18, 1987 to tour 33 cities from Miami to Washington, D.C.. (AP Photo/Judy Sloan)
![“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White arrive...]()
“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White arrive at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Wheel of Fortune” sponsored by People magazine in New York, Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
“Gradually, it became more than that,” Sajak continued. “A place where kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors and entire generations. What an honor to have played even a small part in all that.”
White paid an emotional tribute
to her partner on Thursday’s episode, calling him “like a brother” and a “true lifelong friend.” In the pre-recorded video that featured clips and photos of their 41 years as co-workers, she added that their personal friendship has meant even more than their professional collaboration.
Sajak announced in June 2023 that he would
retire from his hosting duties
at the end of the show’s 41st season, with
Ryan Seacrest set to succeed him
. White will stay on as Seacrest’s co-host through the 2025-2026 season, based on a
contract extension
she signed in September.
In a recent interview for
“Good Morning America”
with Sajak’s daughter Maggie, who serves as the show’s social correspondent, the host said he felt “surprisingly OK” given that he announced his retirement almost a year before his final show.
“I’ve had time to sort of get used to it and it’s been a little bit wistful and all that, but I’m enjoying it and taking it all in and reflecting on a great run,” he said.
Looking back on his time with the popular game show, Sajak said he is grateful for how audiences across the country connected with the show and made it a part of their daily routines.
“Somewhere along the line, we became more than a popular show. We became a part of popular culture, and more importantly, we became a part of people’s lives,” he said. “That’s been awfully gratifying.”