He will be missed, Just about every American has seen him host the Wheel of Fortune
Pat Sajak, 77, was recently photographed days before his final episode of “Wheel of Fortune” aired. He and his wife Lesly, 59, were spotted enjoying a lunch outing with friends at Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica. This rare public appearance marks the first time the couple has been photographed together in seven years.
Lesly looked chic in jeans, a white blouse adorned with flowers, and brown open-toed heels. She accessorized with a clutch and designer sunglasses, letting her wavy brown hair flow freely. Pat opted for a more relaxed look, wearing blue dress pants, a white collared shirt, and a blue sweater, complemented by black dress shoes and designer shades.
A Winning Pair! Throwback Photos of Pat Sajak and Wife Lesly Brown as He Signs Off from ‘Wheel of Fortune’ https://t.co/2cp5W9yn5N
— People (@people) June 7, 2024
The couple, known for their privacy, was seen getting out of their car and entering the restaurant with a slip of paper and a wad of money in hand. They enjoyed the sea breeze and lively conversation with their friends at the popular seaside eatery, which is known for attracting older residents. Despite Pat’s final episode airing on June 7, he has been off filming since April, giving him more time to spend with family and friends.
In May, Pat was also spotted running errands alone. On May 22, he wore jeans, a maroon button-down shirt, tan slip-on shoes, a baseball cap, and sunglasses. Pat was seen carrying a box from a store that prints pictures and shreds documents, with his key in the other hand. Later, he was photographed taking his dry-cleaning to his car.
Get to Know Pat Sajak’s Wife, Lesly Brown https://t.co/hdaRqZI1Dk
— Parade Mag (@ParadeMagazine) June 6, 2024
Pat’s career on “Wheel of Fortune” spans an impressive 41 seasons. The show originally had Chuck Woolery as its host from 1975 to 1981, with Susan Stafford co-hosting from 1975 to 1982. Vanna White then stepped in as hostess in 1982 and has been a fixture ever since. Following a contract and salary dispute, Chuck Woolery was replaced by Pat Sajak in 1982. Pat hosted the show with Susan Stafford for one season before she left.
In 1989, Pat took a break from “Wheel of Fortune” to host a late-night talk show for CBS. During his absence, NFL player Rolf Benirschke briefly took his place. In July 1989, Bob Goen became the host on CBS and continued until the show’s cancellation in 1991. “Wheel of Fortune” was then moved to ABC, where Pat and Vanna resumed their hosting duties.
In 2023, Pat announced his retirement, and Ryan Seacrest was quickly named as his replacement. On June 7, at 7:30 PM, Pat’s final episode aired, marking the end of an era. At the conclusion of the episode, Pat held back tears as he delivered a heartfelt farewell message to the “Wheel of Fortune” community.
Pat Sajak, 77, steps out with younger wife Lesly Brown in first public sighting together in seven years just d https://t.co/JAN4bEWikG
— Delicious Love Radio (@dlove_radio) June 7, 2024
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” Pat said, visibly emotional. “I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go, and I want to start with all watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade. And I’ve always felt that privilege came with the responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family fun.”
Pat expressed his gratitude to the viewers for welcoming him into their lives and ended his speech by thanking the crew and Vanna White for their unwavering support. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter in television history, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, charm, and family-friendly entertainment.
Major Points:
- Pat Sajak and his wife Lesly were photographed together for the first time in seven years, enjoying a lunch with friends at Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica.
- Pat’s final episode of Wheel of Fortune aired on June 7, marking the end of his 41-season tenure on the show; he had finished filming in April.
- Pat wore casual attire for the outing, a departure from his usual suit, while Lesly sported a stylish look with designer accessories.
- In recent appearances, Pat was seen running errands alone, including visiting a store that prints pictures and shreds documents and taking his dry-cleaning to his car.
- During his final episode, Pat delivered an emotional farewell, expressing gratitude to viewers, the crew, and his co-host Vanna White for their support over the years.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
