Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin. The show has aired continuously since January 6, 1975. Contestants solve word puzzles, similar to those in hangman, to win
Chuck Woolery was the original host of the daytime version of Wheel of Fortune, holding this position from 1975 to 1981.
Pat Sajak hosted the daytime version from 1981 to 1989 and the nighttime version of the show from 1983 to 2024, and hosted the celebrity spin-off from 2021 to 2025
Rolf Benirschke took over hosting duties on the daytime version in January 1989.
Bob Goen hosted the daytime version from mid-1989 until its cancellation in 1991.
Pat Sajak
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Patrick Leonard Sajak; né Sajdak; is an American retired game show host, television personality, and creative consultant. He is best known as the host of the television game show Wheel of Fortune, a p
Wheel of Fortune (American game show)
…former's conclusion. Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford were the original hosts of the daytime network version. Woolery left in 1981, and was replaced by Pat Sajak. Sajak left the network version in January 1989 to host his own late-night talk show, while remaining as host of the nighttime Wheel. Succeeding Sajak…
Sajak in an ad for WSM, for whom he was an afternoon host, c. 1970s
Sajak with Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune, circa 1986
Sajak on Wheel of Fortune in 2006