Biography of Alex Trabeck

No Easy Answers: The Life and Times of Alex Trebek is an intimate profile of the game show icon and features interviews with Merv Griffin, Lloyd Robertson, Alan Thicke and Luke Perry.

Alex Trebek may be the king of trivia, but he has a weighty pedigree. A working-class Sudbury boy, he was packed off to the priests for a first-class education. He graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in philosophy, and began his long career as a broadcaster, starting as an announcer at the CBC. It was there, in the heady sixties, that Alex joined the ranks of developing television journalists like Lloyd Robertson. In 1966, he became the host of a new television quiz show - Reach for the Top. Soon Hollywood beckoned and after stints hosting various American game shows, he was chosen by Merv Griffin to host a new show - Jeopardy! He has been at it ever since.

The biography follows Alex on set and shows how he prepares for a taping. At the age of 63, he regularly puts in 12 hour days - reviewing game questions, attending meetings and answering fan mail. Even his most trivial actions cause a flurry of press. When he shaved off his trademark moustache, viewers went wild. The cameras also show him away from the spotlight - at his palatial home and on his sprawling ranch, where he breeds race horses. He may enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, but he is also the consummate handyman - puttering in his garage workshop in torn jeans. His wife insists his dream job would be sprinkler repairman - if only it paid a little better. Alex is also a social activist - touring overseas with the USO, and serving as a spokesman for World Vision.

Somewhat late in life, he has become a family man. The father of two, he now worries he doesn't have enough time to spend at home. But the one word that isn't in his vocabulary is "retirement". With 32 million Jeopardy! fans around the world, it looks like Alex Trebek will remain the guy with all the answers.