GSN TV SHOWS Wheel of Fortune
PAT SAJAK
Pat Sajak is in his 26th year as host of WHEEL OF FORTUNE. He joined the series in 1981, when the show aired on network daytime television. The top-ranked syndication version made its debut in 1983, with Sajak at the helm. Since then, he has earned three Emmy Awards, a People's Choice Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"I was very lucky in that I always knew that I wanted to be in broadcasting," says Sajak. "My early heroes were people like Arthur Godfrey, Dave Garroway, Steve Allen and, especially, Jack Paar. They helped shape what a television personality was, paving the way for so many others."
Sajak was born and raised in Chicago, where he broke into broadcasting as a newscaster and announcer at a small radio station. He joined the Army in 1968 and was sent to Vietnam. There, he spent a year-and-a-half with Armed Forces Radio in Saigon. Following his discharge, Sajak spent time at another small radio station in Murray, Ky.
After a year, he decided to move to the nearest big city (Nashville) and enter the television business. Sajak was hired by WSM-TV as a staff announcer, eventually expanding his role to talk shows and weather reporting. There, he was spotted by a talent scout for KNBC-TV in LA and in 1977 he joined that station as its weatherman.
Four years later, he was chosen by WHEEL OF FORTUNE's creator, Merv Griffin, to assume hosting duties on the series' network daytime edition. In 1983, the nighttime version of the show was launched, and it has been the top-rated syndicated television program ever since.
Sajak has guest-starred on dozens of comedy, drama and talk series, and hosted his own talk shows on CBS and Fox News Channel. He currently heads his own production company, P.A.T. Productions, in association with Sony Pictures Domestic Television; has amassed half-dozen platinum records through his music publishing company; owns two radio stations in Maryland; and creates and sells his own line of games through PatSajakGames.com. Sajak splits his time between the East and West Coast. He and his wife, Lesly (a photographer) have two children.
VANNA WHITE
Since she made her debut on WHEEL OF FORTUNE in 1982, Vanna White has built a phenomenal following worldwide. As she begins the 2007-2008 season as co-host, her loyal fan base, or "Vannafans," continues to soar, while her weekly fan mail keeps pouring in by the thousands.
Becoming a household name globally was not something White expected while growing up in the small resort town of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. After attending the Atlanta School of Fashion Design and becoming one of the area's top models, she moved to LA with the goal of an acting career. Two years later, while competing against more than 200 other hopefuls, her intelligence, grace and exuberant personality won her the coveted spot as co-host of America's favorite game show.
But no one, especially White herself, anticipated the kind of audience response she has received from her first appearance. Surveys have shown that her presence contributes greatly to WHEEL OF FORTUNE's phenomenal ratings. In 1992, White was recognized in "The Guinness Book of World Records" as Television's Most Frequent Clapper. Averaging 720 claps per episode, she puts her hands together more than 28,000 times per season! Although she has been called the series' silent star, White does indeed talk – and quite well. White's autobiography, "Vanna Speaks," was a nationwide bestseller when published in 1987. She has also been featured on numerous magazine covers.
In April 2006, White received the 2,309th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her family and friends, including Pat Sajak, Alex Trebek and Merv Griffin, gathered to celebrate this milestone. Vanna White is one of the most sought-after celebrities to showcase top designer fashions. As WHEEL OF FORTUNE enters its 25th season in syndication, she will have worn over 5,100 different designer outfits at the puzzle board from some of the world's most exclusive designers, including Halston, Luca Luca, Versace, Christian LaCroix, Georgio Armani and Escada. As a result of fan interest, White launched her official "Vanna Style" web page.
An avid crocheter, White launched her own line of yarn this fall called "Vanna's Choice." White's passion for helping children with cancer led her to develop the line and donate partial proceeds of its sales to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Beyond her work on TV and philanthropic efforts, White spends her time on her favorite job: being a mom to her two children. She is a strong believer in fitness and leads a healthy lifestyle, which includes spinning and yoga.
Through it all, one aspect of White's life remains unchanged: her down-to-earth appreciation of the work done by her off-camera colleagues who keep the series consistently on top of the ratings charts. "All you see on the television screen are our contestants, Pat and me," she says. "But, it's the scores of other people who really make WHEEL OF FORTUNE spin like it does. Then, there's the game. We just have a winning combination."
Pat Sajak is in his 26th year as host of WHEEL OF FORTUNE. He joined the series in 1981, when the show aired on network daytime television. The top-ranked syndication version made its debut in 1983, with Sajak at the helm. Since then, he has earned three Emmy Awards, a People's Choice Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"I was very lucky in that I always knew that I wanted to be in broadcasting," says Sajak. "My early heroes were people like Arthur Godfrey, Dave Garroway, Steve Allen and, especially, Jack Paar. They helped shape what a television personality was, paving the way for so many others."
Sajak was born and raised in Chicago, where he broke into broadcasting as a newscaster and announcer at a small radio station. He joined the Army in 1968 and was sent to Vietnam. There, he spent a year-and-a-half with Armed Forces Radio in Saigon. Following his discharge, Sajak spent time at another small radio station in Murray, Ky.
After a year, he decided to move to the nearest big city (Nashville) and enter the television business. Sajak was hired by WSM-TV as a staff announcer, eventually expanding his role to talk shows and weather reporting. There, he was spotted by a talent scout for KNBC-TV in LA and in 1977 he joined that station as its weatherman.
Four years later, he was chosen by WHEEL OF FORTUNE's creator, Merv Griffin, to assume hosting duties on the series' network daytime edition. In 1983, the nighttime version of the show was launched, and it has been the top-rated syndicated television program ever since.
Sajak has guest-starred on dozens of comedy, drama and talk series, and hosted his own talk shows on CBS and Fox News Channel. He currently heads his own production company, P.A.T. Productions, in association with Sony Pictures Domestic Television; has amassed half-dozen platinum records through his music publishing company; owns two radio stations in Maryland; and creates and sells his own line of games through PatSajakGames.com. Sajak splits his time between the East and West Coast. He and his wife, Lesly (a photographer) have two children.
VANNA WHITE
Since she made her debut on WHEEL OF FORTUNE in 1982, Vanna White has built a phenomenal following worldwide. As she begins the 2007-2008 season as co-host, her loyal fan base, or "Vannafans," continues to soar, while her weekly fan mail keeps pouring in by the thousands.
Becoming a household name globally was not something White expected while growing up in the small resort town of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. After attending the Atlanta School of Fashion Design and becoming one of the area's top models, she moved to LA with the goal of an acting career. Two years later, while competing against more than 200 other hopefuls, her intelligence, grace and exuberant personality won her the coveted spot as co-host of America's favorite game show.
But no one, especially White herself, anticipated the kind of audience response she has received from her first appearance. Surveys have shown that her presence contributes greatly to WHEEL OF FORTUNE's phenomenal ratings. In 1992, White was recognized in "The Guinness Book of World Records" as Television's Most Frequent Clapper. Averaging 720 claps per episode, she puts her hands together more than 28,000 times per season! Although she has been called the series' silent star, White does indeed talk – and quite well. White's autobiography, "Vanna Speaks," was a nationwide bestseller when published in 1987. She has also been featured on numerous magazine covers.
In April 2006, White received the 2,309th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her family and friends, including Pat Sajak, Alex Trebek and Merv Griffin, gathered to celebrate this milestone. Vanna White is one of the most sought-after celebrities to showcase top designer fashions. As WHEEL OF FORTUNE enters its 25th season in syndication, she will have worn over 5,100 different designer outfits at the puzzle board from some of the world's most exclusive designers, including Halston, Luca Luca, Versace, Christian LaCroix, Georgio Armani and Escada. As a result of fan interest, White launched her official "Vanna Style" web page.
An avid crocheter, White launched her own line of yarn this fall called "Vanna's Choice." White's passion for helping children with cancer led her to develop the line and donate partial proceeds of its sales to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Beyond her work on TV and philanthropic efforts, White spends her time on her favorite job: being a mom to her two children. She is a strong believer in fitness and leads a healthy lifestyle, which includes spinning and yoga.
Through it all, one aspect of White's life remains unchanged: her down-to-earth appreciation of the work done by her off-camera colleagues who keep the series consistently on top of the ratings charts. "All you see on the television screen are our contestants, Pat and me," she says. "But, it's the scores of other people who really make WHEEL OF FORTUNE spin like it does. Then, there's the game. We just have a winning combination."
