Pat Sajak has officially taped his last show as Wheel of Fortune host (2024)

PAT Sajak has taped his farewell episode as host of Wheel of Fortune, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.

Pat, 77, announced in spring of 2023 that he’d be leaving the iconicgame showand that Season 41would be his last.

Pat will bid farewell to the masses at the end of Season 41 on Friday, June 7, 2024.

A Sony rep for Wheel of Fortune exclusively confirmed to The U.S. Sun that Pat has filmed his last slate of six episodes.

This includes his final episode, which is titled "Thanks For The Memories," and was filmed on Friday, April 5, the show exclusively shared.

The episode will be nothing short of a TV milestone as the host has doled out puzzles and prizes alongsideVanna White, 66,since 1981 and 1982 respectively.

Read more on Wheel of Fortune

PLAYFUL PAIR Future Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest throws playful quip at Vanna White

SEACREST IN! Wheel of Fortune's new host Ryan joins Vanna White for first time on stage

The show has not shared if Pat's farewell episode will be an all-out tribute to him with memories from over the years or simply business as usual ending with him saying goodbye.

Tickets for Pat's penultimate five episodes were opened to the public last minute, while his farewell episode was reportedly not open to the public and invite only.

The show airs weekdays at 7:30 pm ET on ABC, so fans can catch his sendoff on June 7 at that time.

'BITTERSWEET DAY'

Some fans recently took to social media saying they were in the audience for his last slate of episodes.

"Today Pat is taping his final show as host. It’s a bittersweet day in Wheel history," one Redditor recently wrote in a show message board.

Another wrote, "Pat's final taping day was supposed to be invite-only, but tickets for the 12:00 session did open up at the last minute a couple of times. I was fortunate to be in the audience for his fifth-through-third-to-last episodes."

"Pat added so much personality to the show. Hewasthe show. Can’t wait to watch the final episode. It’s the end of an era," wrote a third.

Stage Manager Jimmy Maguire also posted a photo to Instagram showing the backdrop for his farewell episode.

Behind him the screen lit up with the title, "Thanks For The Memories."

'WONDERFUL RIDE'

Pathas been a living room mainstay onWheel of Fortunefor 41 years, so fans were shocked and moved when he announced his upcoming retirement.

Sajak revealed the news in a personal note onX, formerly Twitter, on June 12, 2023.

“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last," he tweeted.

“It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months."

"Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)” he added.

“When we started Wheel of Fortune’who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later?”Vannatweeted in response.

“I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come," she added. "Cheers to you!”

Just a few weeks later,Ryan Seacrestannounced onInstagramthat he would be replacing Pat as the new host.

“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest wrote.

“I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them,” Seacrest continued.

“Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”

Vanna will be staying at the puzzle board for at least two years and until 20226 once Pat steps down.

Meanwhile, Pat will stay on the show in a producer role to oversee the transition for the next three years.

PAT'S INCREDIBLE SPIN

Pat was born on October 26, 1946, inChicago,Illinois, and got his start as a disc jockey and played various stints atradio stations.

He also landed a job serving in theUS Armyas aDJforthe American Forces Vietnam Network during thewar, entertaining soldiers out inVietnam.

Pat took over for original host Chuck Woolery in 1981 and has become to many the last longstanding game show host on TV.

Since becoming the host ofWheel of Fortune, Sajak has received 19 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Game Show Host and has won in the category three times.

Due toSajak'ssuccessful career, he has been able to amass an extensivenet worth.

He has an estimated fortune of $70 million, with an annual salary of $14 million, according toCelebrity Net Worth.

Vanna reportedlyfought hard for a new contractupon his retirement news as she hadn't gotten a raise in 18 years and was making $2 million a year.

Pat may put in long hours at the studio, but it's been previously reported that he only works four days each month filming.

During that time, he often gets through six shows each day, giving him more time to spend with his family.

Since 1989, he has been married to photographer and modelLesly Brown, 56.

He is also the father of two children,Maggie and Patrick.

Maggie, 29, is currently social media correspondent for the show and will remain in her role for at least three years despite her dad stepping down.

RYAN TAKES THE STAGE

Meanwhile, Ryan and Vanna have already joined forces for their first on-stage promo video, which aired on ABC this Monday.

In the 10-second ad, Ryan, 49, took theWheel of Fortunestage in host mode for the first time.

"Wow!" Ryan exclaimed as he walked alongside the show's centerpiece wheel instead of Pat, taking it all in and donning a dapper suit, tie, and pocket square.

Cut to Vanna, who presented a puzzle that read, "Ryan Seacrest."

"Looks like you're ready Ryan!" Vanna, a vision in a gold gown, assured.

The set appeared to be exactly the same, hinting that the show will not get a visual overhaul when Ryan steps in.

The commercial aired the same night Vanna dropped byAmerican Idolfor a cameo and introduced one of the singers.

Read More on The US Sun

EDGING CLOSER Rachel Morin's brother makes fresh plea as murder mystery remains 8 months on

CLUE MUCH? Jeopardy! boss teases 'aggressive' change to eligibility rules at live event

It's unclear if Ryan is already taping episodes for the fall now that Pat is done or if he simply stopped by to film his first promo.

The exact premiere date for Season 42 with Ryan and Vanna in the fall of 2024 remains unannounced.