Late TV legend Alex Trebek was hospitalized shortly before filming his final episodes of “Jeopardy!,” but despite his executive producer’s protests, the host was on the job days before he died of pancreatic cancer.
“He was a warrior, and what he was able to do by getting himself back to the set to tape those final episodes. … We didn’t know it was going to be his final episodes, and neither did he — but it was Herculean,” executive producer Mike Richards told NBC’s “Today” on Monday.
“He was in enormous pain. He was 10 days away from passing away. And you will not sense any of that in these episodes. He is strong, he sounds great, he’s funny, and he’s amazing.”
Richards spoke with “Today” anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie about Trebek’s tireless spirit during his last days on set. The Canadian entertainer’s victory lap as longtime emcee of the hit quiz show airs this week, starting Monday and ending Friday.
