From one legend to another.
Ryan Seacrest shared A moving tribute “I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed your time with us,” she told Sajak on Instagram after his final episode hosting “Wheel of Fortune” aired on Friday.
Seacrest, 49, will succeed Sajak, 77, in September.
His Instagram post featured photos and a silent video clip of the pair and letter-turner Vana White spending time together on the set of the game show.
“Congratulations, Pat, on the incredible success of Wheel of Fortune!,” Seacrest wrote. “Your dedication, charm and wit have made the show a beloved fixture on American television for decades.”
He continued, “Your partnership with Vanna was truly iconic, and together you created countless amazing memories for your viewers. You set the standard for hosts around the world, and this marks the end of an era.”
“We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!” Seacrest concluded his message.
Sajak announced his retirement after 41 seasons last June.
He recorded a farewell video for his fans just hours before the final episode aired on television.
“Now, it’s time to say goodbye,” Sajak said. “Before I leave, I want to offer a few thanks and acknowledgements. I want to start with all of you watching out there. It’s been an incredible honor to be invited into millions of homes every night, every year, for decades.”
“It’s an honor to be a small part of it all. Thank you all for having me in your lives,” the award-winning host added.
Sajak’s final episode featured footage of his first appearance on the game show in 1981. After talking about what “Wheel of Fortune” means to him, he thanked the staff “who make my job so much easier” and paid tribute to his wife, Leslie Brown, and his sons, Maggie and Patrick.
He also gave a friendly shout-out to his “other half of the business.”
“There have been a lot of changes in our lives over the years, but we have always supported each other,” he told White, 67. “I will miss working with her so much, but I take solace in the fact that we live about five miles apart, so we will see each other a lot.”
Sajak began hosting “Wheel of Fortune” in 1981 and has recorded more than 8,000 episodes with White.
Seacrest was announced as Sajak’s successor last year.
“It’s truly an honor to follow in the footsteps of the legend Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said. Said In a statement at the time, they said: “Like all Americans, it was an honor and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years. They made us smile every night and made us feel right at home in their company.”
Seacrest has hosted “American Idol” since its inception in 2002 and has added numerous hosting jobs to his resume, including “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” hosting “E! News” and taking over as host of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
“Wheel of Fortune” season 42 is scheduled to premiere in September 2024.
