Last November, after famed Jeopardy host Alex Trebek passed away from pancreatic cancer at 80-years-old, people started to speculate — and suggest — who would replace the iconic host. In the midst of all of this, Star Trek actor and Reading Rainbow host, LeVar Burton, was thrown into the mix as fans started a petition to have him become the next host of the famed game show, according to Change.org.
Jeopardy has announced the forthcoming guest hosts scheduled for the show and Burton made the list!
We can finally tell you! Here is the final group of guest hosts to close out Season 37:
• Robin Roberts
• George Stephanopoulos
• David Faber
• Joe Buck
• LeVar Burton!https://t.co/iAPNyy29pu pic.twitter.com/Twgef7i6b5— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) April 21, 2021
The Roots star made sure to acknowledge the assistance he received in generating interest for the host Jeopardy spot via the Change.org petition launched last fall.
THANK YOU… to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting Jeopardy!, and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you in me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time. https://t.co/C7mZWMok2X
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 21, 2021
Before the final list was revealed, Burton had recently spoken to Entertainment Weekly about being the permanent replacement on the television show after beloved host Alex Trebek succumbed to pancreatic cancer in November. Trebek hosted the long-running game show for almost four decades.
“I’ve thought and thought and thought — I’ve asked friends and family to help me identify someone out there who’s more qualified for the job than I am,” the revered actor and host of widespread literacy show Reading Rainbow said. “I don’t believe there is anyone out there who is better suited for this job than me. And I will go to my grave believing that.”
“I think my whole career is an advertisement for being the host of Jeopardy,” he continued.