American talk show host, radio and television personality, film and television producer, as well as an actor, Patrick Leonard Sajdak was born on 21 October 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, and is perhaps best known as the host of the TV series “Wheel of Fortune”,
So just how rich is Patrick Sajak? According to authoritative sources, Pat Sajak’s annual salary with “Wheel of Fortune” amounts to $12 million, and his net worth is estimated to be $45 million. Pat has managed to accumulate most of his net worth and income from his many appearances on television, but his career actually began back in the mid-1970s.
Pat Sajak Net Worth $45 Million
Pat Sajak was educated at Farragut High School, and continued his studies in communications at Columbia College Chicago. While in college, Sajak also worked at Palmer House hotel as a desk clerk, but concurrently he won a contest at WLS radio, and was then given an opportunity to appear on it as a DJ. He later applied for a job at WEDC radio station, and became a newsman. Sajak’s talents were noticed by station WSM-TV, which offered him a job in front on TV screens, his first appearance being on “The Today Show”, working first as an anchor of short segments, and then moving on to become a weatherman. Shortly afterwards, Sajak was offered the position of a weatherman at the KNBC station.
In 1981, Pat Sajak was approached to replace Chuck Woolery on “Wheel of Fortune”. Even though Sajak was initially declined by then-CEO of NBC network Fred Silverman, he was hired when Silverman was replaced in 1982. Over the years, “Wheel of Fortune” became one of the most popular US television game shows, racking-up more than 6 000 episodes to date. Ranked at #2 on the list of 60 Greatest Game Shows Ever, “Wheel of Fortune” has inspired the creation of 60 international adaptations of the show, and has been rewarded with several Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as receiving numerous nominations during the Game Show Awards, with Pat Sajak obviously having a significant impact on this success, plus adding to his own net worth.
Additionally Sajak has featured on such programs as “Larry King Live”., “Live with Regis and Kelly”, “Pat Sajak Weekend” among many others, carving a niche for himself in US TV . folklore.
Pat Sajak made his film debut in 1982, appearing in a small role in Ken Finkleman’s comedy film “Airplane II: The Sequel”, co-starring alongside Robert Hays, Chad Everett, William Shatner and Julie Hagerty. In 1983 Sajak appeared as Kevin Hathaway in “Days of Our Lives”, an NBC daytime soap opera, and as himself in the popular children’s TV cartoon show “Rugrats”, and again as himself in an episode of “Inner Tube”.
Sajak has also written for National Review Online, and for the networking website, Ricochet.com.
In his personal life, Pat Sajak was married to Sherrill from 1979 to 86, and has been married to Leslie since 1989, with whom he has a son and daughter, They currently reside in Chicago.
Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host, People's Choice Award for Favorite Game Show Host (1987)
Nominations
"60 Greatest Game Shows Ever" (#2 on the list), Daytime Emmy Awards, Game Show Awards
Movies
Airplane II: The Sequel
TV Shows
“Wheel of Fortune” (1981-2014), “Pat Sajak Weekend” (2003), “The King of Queens” (2001), “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz”, “Highly Questionable”, “The Today Show”, “Days of Our Lives”, “Rugrats”
#
Quote
1
When a politician begins a sentence with 'What the Anerican people want...' It's time to change the channel.
2
[on the death of Richard Dawson]: He was able to inject his unique brand of humor into shows like Family Feud (1976). He could be funny and biting, mischievous and playful, but he always respected the game and treated his players with kindness.
3
[on relaxing with margaritas between tapings of 'Wheel of Fortune'] Vanna and I would have two or three or six and then have trouble recognizing the alphabet.
4
Being a conservative in Hollywood is like walking into a shooting range with a bullseye attached to your body. There are more of us than you would believe, but if you want to keep working, you feel like you have to keep quiet.
5
It's a stressful place to live. It's nice to leave L.A. for a few months and live somewhere more down to earth and easy going. It's also close to my wife's side of the family, and that's important to her.
6
[on the death of Dan Miller]: Dan was an extraordinarily caring and talented man. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life.
7
Working with Merv (Griffin) can be quite the experience. I remember once going out to lunch and the waiter asked, "May I take your order?" Merv then pulls out his notebook and says, "Great idea!" He writes what the waiter said down and turns to me saying, "This will be a great puzzle for the show." He is one of the brightest and smartest men I have ever met.
8
I honestly didn't think the show was going to last much longer when I started in 1981. I thought a year would be lucky, 13 weeks more likely before it was back to forecasting the weather.
Wheel of Fortune (1975)'s second full-time host after Chuck Woolery. Succeeded by retired football kicker, Rolf Benirschke, then Entertainment Tonight's Bob Goen,.
8
Received an Emmy lifetime achievement award on June 19, 2011.
9
Pat, along with co-host Vanna White, aired their 5,000th taping of Wheel of Fortune (1983) on Saturday, February 28th, 2009.
10
Accomplished helicopter pilot.
11
A huge hockey fan and his favorite team is the L.A. Kings.
12
Listed in 2001 issue of U.S. pop music magazine "Spin" as a co-composer for group Slayer.
13
Has a Sesame Street Muppet made in his likeness named Pat Playjacks, known on Sesame Street (1969) as the nicest game show host.
14
Hosted a few game show pilots before landing the Wheel of Fortune (1975) hosting job in 1981. He also hosted one other game show, "College Bowl", in 1984.
15
Father of two children. Son, Patrick Michael James Sajak, was born Saturday, 22 September 1990. Daughter, Maggie Sajak, was born Thursday, 5 January 1995.
16
Did a rendition of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple on stage in Hawaii with Joe Moore.
17
Roommate of Joe Moore when they served in Vietnam.
18
Was a disc jockey on the armed forces radio while he served in Vietnam.
19
Sajak got his start as a weatherman at WSM-TV Nashville before moving to KNBC Los Angeles where he got the exposure that landed him a spot on Wheel of Fortune (1975).