Pat Sajak Net Worth

Patrick Leonard Sajdak (Pat Sajak) was born in Chicago, IL, on October 26, 1946. During the Vietnam War, Sajak joined the Army in 1968 and honed some of his hosting skills as a disc jockey for Armed Forces Radio.

After original host Adrian Cronauer left the popular Vietnam radio show, Dawn Buster, Pat Sajak took over as host. Adrian Cronauer was immortalized by the Robin Williams character in the movie Good Morning, Vietnam.

Early Radio and Television Career

Sajak left the Army in 1969 and briefly DJed at the WSM station in Nashville. WSM-TV had Sajak do voiceovers, then appear in a five-minute newscast during NBC’s Today Show. He eventually became the station’s weekend and substitute weatherman. In 1977, Sajak moved to KNBC-TV in Los Angeles to become their full-time weatherman.

Wheel of Fortune

Pat Sajak hosted a few American television game show pilots, Press Your Luck and Puzzlers before Merv Griffin asked Pat Sajak if he would like to host Wheel of Fortune. Chuck Woolery was already hosting the show, and Fred Silverman opposed the hiring. Merv Griffin was so sure Pat Sajak would make a great host that he briefly halted new tapings of the show.

Silverman was soon dismissed, and Pat Sajak became the new Wheel of Fortune host in 1983. From 1983 to 1989, Sajak hosted both the day and evening versions of Wheel of Fortune. Pat Sajak and Vanna White, the show’s letter-turner, have appeared in over 7,000 episodes together.

The Pat Sajak Show

In 1989, Sajak left the daytime Wheel of Fortune but continued to host the evening show in order to do his late-night talk show, The Pat Sajak Show on CBS. The Pat Sajak Show was canceled in April 1990 for low ratings.

Other Television Appearances

In addition to Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak appeared on other TV shows. He made a one-time appearance on Days of Our Lives in 1983.

He also appeared in Gimme a Break!, Washington, The A-Team, 227, Santa Barbara (two episodes), The Commish, Rugrats, The Larry Sanders Show, Just Shoot Me!, King of Queens, Sullivan & Sons, and Fresh Off the Boat. He also appeared in the special Muppets Haunted House.

Celebrity Guest Host

Pat Sajak increased his net worth by appearing as a regular substitute guest host for CNN’s Larry King Live show and on Live with Regis and Kelly. Sajak appeared on the Pat Sajak Weekend show on Fox News in 2003 and has hosted The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour, a syndicated radio show.

Sajak has also guest-hosted other game shows (some before his Wheel of Fortune gig) like Super Password, Password Plus, Dream House, Just Men!, and Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour.

Movie Appearances

Pat Sajak has had minor roles in several movies, including Airplane II: The Sequel, The Two Faces of Ed, End of the Season, As My Career Lay Dying, Inner Tube, Hank Hallucinates, and B as in Best Friends.

What is Pat Sajak’s Net Worth?

Pat Sajak’s net worth is higher than most game show hosts. He has been hosting Wheel of Fortune longer than any other game show host in history, surpassing Bob Barker’s 35 years on The Price is Right. It is estimated that the Pat Sajak net worth is $70 million.

Wheel of Fortune Fortune

• Pat Sajak earns $14,000,000 per year
• Pat Sajak earns $312,500 per workday
• Pat Sajak earns $52,083 per show

Slot Machine Royalties

Pat Sajak’s net worth is also increased by the money he gets from casino slot machines with his image on them. There is over 20,000 Wheel of Fortune slot machines in casinos around the world. Wheel of Fortune branded slot machines bring in royalties, licensing fees, and other payments that increase Pat Sajak’s net worth by about $15 million annually.

When will Pat Sajak retire? He has said he wouldn’t bet on seeing him and Vanna White on the show in ten years. In summary, Pat Sajak will continue to increase his net worth as long as he hosts Wheel of Fortune.

Who is Pat Sajak?

Pat Sajak was born on October 26, 1946. His parents are Leonard Anthony Sajdak, a factory worker, and Joyce Helen Sajdak. Pat has one full brother (David) and a half brother (William) from his mother’s second marriage to Walter Backal after Pat’s father died.

Sajak graduated from Farragut High School in 1964. Before joining the Army, he attended Columbia College Chicago. While in college, he worked as a desk clerk at the Palmer House Hotel.

Pat Sajak’s Personal Life

Pat Sajak has been married twice. He married Sherrill Sajak in 1979, but the couple divorced in 1986 without having any children.

He met his current wife, Lesly Brown Sajak, a photographer, through a mutual friend at a 1988 Irvine restaurant opening. Although Pat was almost 20 years older, it was love at first sight, and the couple married in 1989.

Pat Sajak and Lesly Brown Sajak had a son, Patrick Michael James Sajak, born in 1992, and a daughter, Maggie Marie Sajak, born in 1995. The couple lives in Severna Park.

Patrick Michael James Sajak has made a few cameos on the show and recently graduated from medical school.

Maggie Marie Sajak is a country singer who appeared on Wheel of Fortune as a letter-turner when Vanna White hosted due to Pat’s surgery. She has also recently returned as a social correspondent.

Fun Facts About Pat Sajak

• Pat Sajak secured a hefty net worth by being the longest-running host of any game show in the Guinness World Records.
• A puppet named Pat Playjack on Sesame Street parodied Pat in the 80s as the host of “Squeal of Fortune.”
• Pat Sajak has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Pat Sajak became an investor in the Golden Baseball League in 2005. It is an independent professional baseball league with teams in America, Canada, and Baja California.
• Pat Sajak once said, “I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Clinton cost John Kerry more votes than he gained for him whenever they appeared together. Imagine being part of a crowd enraptured by the presence of Bill Clinton and then having to listen to a speech by John Kerry!”

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