Ryan Seacrest praised Pat Sajak as he wrapped up his final show as host of “Wheel of Fortune.”
Seacrest paid tribute to Sajak on Instagram after his final appearance as host on Friday.
“Pat, congratulations on the incredible success of Wheel of Fortune! Your dedication, charm and wit have made this a beloved American TV show for decades,” Seacrest wrote.
His caption was accompanied by a photo of himself, Sajak, and Vanna White on the set of the show.
Ryan Seacrest posted a tribute to Pat Sajak after the final episode of “Wheel of Fortune,” saying that he “set the standard” for TV hosts. (Getty Images/Ryan Seacrest Instagram)
Pat Sajak sends ‘Wheel of Fortune’ farewell message to fans in six words
“Your partnership with Vanna was truly iconic, and together you created countless amazing memories for your viewers,” Seacrest added.
“You have set the standard for hosts around the world. This marks the end of an era. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!”
Sajak stepped down from his role as host of “Wheel of Fortune” on Friday after more than four decades.
During the show, he gave an emotional farewell, telling the audience and viewers, “It’s been an incredible honor to be invited into millions of homes every night, every year, for decades.”
Click here to sign up for our Entertainment Newsletter
“I’ve always felt that with this privilege comes a responsibility to keep it a safe place for 30 minutes each day that families can enjoy,” he continued. “No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, just games.”
“But it slowly became so much more,” he added. “It became a place for children to learn to read, a place for people from other countries to practice their English, a place for families, friends, neighbors and generations to come together.”
“It’s truly an honor to be a small part of all of it,” Sajak concluded, “and I’m so grateful that you’ve allowed me into your lives.”
Co-host Vanna White will continue on the show after Seacrest takes over for season 42 in the fall.
“It’s been an incredible honor,” Sajak said as he said goodbye to the show he’d hosted for more than 40 years. (ABC/Christopher Willard)
Did you enjoy reading this? For more entertainment news click here
“I have so much respect and admiration for what he’s done. He’s a total professional. Nobody is as smooth and seamless as Pat,” Seacrest told Fox News Digital in April.
“Nobody can replace him. I just want to be involved and continue to have fun with the contestants.”
“Nobody can replace Sajak,” Seacrest told Fox News Digital. “I just want to be there and continue to have fun with the contestants.” (Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
But Sajak isn’t retiring from acting entirely: The 77-year-old is set to play the antagonist in “Prescription for Murder,” the 1962 stage play that inspired the Peter Falk-starring detective series “Columbo.”
He will play a psychiatrist who, after conspiring with his lover to murder his wife, is pursued relentlessly by an unassuming LAPD lieutenant, who will be played by Hawaiian news anchor Joe Moore, in the show, which runs from July 31, 2025 to August 10, 2025 at the Hawaii Theatre Center in Honolulu.
Fox News Digital’s Bree Stimson contributed to this report.
