TORONTO -- Celebrities, politicians and Jeopardy! champions are among the people taking to social media to honour the life of beloved host Alex Trebek, following news of his death at the age of 80.
Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds shared a memory of the time he filmed with the long-time television host. “He was gracious and funny,” Reynolds tweeted Sunday. “In addition to being curious, stalwart, generous, reassuring and of course, Canadian.”
Grammy-award winning singer John Legend shared a tribute in honour of Trebek’s successful career. “I’ve loved and revered Alex Trebek since I can remember,” Legend tweeted.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement saying, “We have lost an icon.”
Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole called Trebek “the pride of Sudbury” in a tweet sent out Sunday.
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh honoured Trebek in a tweet saying, “His gentle approach, big heart and warm demeanor shared a little bit of Canada with the world.”
Mourning wasn’t limited to social media. In Trebek’s home town of Sudbury, Ont., flags were at half mast.
“Mr. Trebek was always so well connected to his roots,” said Mayor Brian Bigger.
Those connections extended to the nation’s capital, where Trebek had attended the University of Ottawa, an institution he donated millions to as an alumni.
“Giving him the key to the city was our recognition of what a great humanitarian he was and how generous he was [to] so many good causes,” Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said.
Trebek was beloved not only for his presence on television but also for his philanthropic efforts. “Devastated by the passing of a personal hero,” tweeted John Geiger, CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, where Trebek served as honorary president.
Fans have begun leaving flowers on Trebek’s star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in downtown Toronto.
Canadian NHL player P.K. Subban shared a video of him and Trebek. “I’m happy I got to meet the man,” he tweeted.
Trebek revealed in March 2019 that he had been battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Following news of his death, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper shared a photo on Instagram saying, “He faced this last difficult chapter of his remarkable life with tremendous courage and grace, and he gave strength to so many people facing challenges of their own.”
Fellow game show host Pat Sajak tweeted Sunday that “Alex Trebek’s courage, grace and strength inspired millions and awed those of us who knew him."
Steve Harvey, another peer and comedian remarked on Trebek’s career saying, “His style was real to me.”
Canadian actor and Star Trek icon William Shatner also shared his condolences over Trebek’s death.
And those that appeared on his show had special memories of the late game show host.
After project engineer Burt Thakur became a Jeopardy! winner in an episode that aired this week, he tearfully told Trebek that “I learned English because of you.
“My grandfather, who raised me -- I'm going to get tears right now -- I used to sit on his lap and watch you every day,” he said. “So this is a pretty special moment for me.”
Michelle Cabral, a three-time Jeopardy! winner hailing from Toronto, told CTV News that she felt Trebek was proud to see a Canadian win the show.
“You can see it written all over his face that he is so proud to be Canadian when Canadians are on the show,” she said.
Former Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings shared a touching tribute to the television icon, calling him “a lovely and deeply decent man.”
Other Jeopardy! winners like Brad Rutter, Buzzy Cohen and James Holzhauer have also expressed condolences to Trebek and his family.
