Ryan John Seacrest (born December 24, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia) became the fifth host of Wheel of Fortune starting in 2024. This confirmation was made shortly before the start of Season 41 in September 2023, the last season to be hosted by Pat Sajak after his taking the hosting role in 1981. Despite Sajak's departure, it has been confirmed that co-host Vanna White will remain with the show after Seacrest takes over.
Biography[]
Ryan Seacrest got his start in broadcasting at Georgia radio station WTSR as a teenager. He has hosted multiple game shows in the past, including Radical Outdoor Challenge for ESPN (1993), the American Gladiators spin-off Gladiators 2000 in syndication (1994-1996), Wild Animal Games for the Family Channel (1995), and Click also in syndication (1997-99). Notably, Click was created by Wheel creator Merv Griffin.
However, Seacrest's most famous hosting role is that of the singing competition American Idol, a position he held since 2002 with minimal exceptions. He has also hosted New Year's Rockin' Eve after longtime host Dick Clark's stroke and subsequent death, and took over as co-host of Live with Kelly and Mark (then known as Live with Kelly and Ryan) from 2017 to 2023 alongside Kelly Ripa.
Hiring[]
Prior to the start of Season 41, multiple media sources confirmed that Pat Sajak would be retiring from Wheel of Fortune in June 2024 when said season ends, with Seacrest slated to take over at the start of Season 42 in September 2024. Despite this change in hosts, it has also been confirmed that Vanna White will remain co-host after she negotiated a salary increase. Many fans have speculated that White stayed on due to her name recognition, as well as concerns that changing both hosts simultaneously would be too jarring for viewers.
History with the show[]
Despite his hiring having come in 2023, Seacrest was referenced by the show on a number of occasions prior, with several puzzles using his name (typically in reference to his longtime position as American Idol host). In addition, Pat quipped "Seacrest is on speed dial" after accidentally getting a rule wrong on October 1, 2012.