Host of Wheel of Fortune Before Pat Sajak

If you have currently watched the Wheel of Fortune TV Show, you may think that Pat Sajak, along with Vanna White is the only one host of this show. In fact, there was a previous host who accompanied the audience in this TV Show. However, new fans of the Wheel of Fortune may not know who the host is.

Premiered on September 19, 1983, it is possible that the Wheel of Fortune TV Show has staged some hosts. If you are wondering about the previous host of Wheel of Fortune who has been replaced by Pat Sajak, you can dive into our post to find the real information about it. Here you go!

Who Is Previous Host of Wheel of Fortune Before Pat Sajak?

Host of Wheel of Fortune Before Pat Sajak

Today, you definitely see that Pat Sajak and Vanna White are the host and co-host of Wheel of Fortune. Beforehand, there were two hosts who hosted Wheel of Fortune in the network version, they are Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford. In its history, the Wheel of Fortune has had four announcers, they are Charlie O’Donnell, Jack Clark, M. G. Kelly (1988–89), and Jim Thornton.

Chuck Woolery left this TV Show in 1981 and then was replaced by Pat Sajak, while Susan Stafford left in 1982 and was replaced by Vanna White. White remained on the network show for the rest of its run. Well, Pat Sajak and Vanna White have hosted the nighttime version of Wheel of Fortune since its inception in 1983.

For more information, Pat Sajak then left the network version in January 1989 to host his own late night talk show, while remaining as host of the nighttime Wheel. In daytime, Pat Sajak was replaced by Rolf Benirschke who was in turn replaced by Bob Goen as the network show moved to CBS. For the second NBC run, Goen remained as host.

As a throwback, the original version of the Wheel of Fortune TV Show was a daytime series on NBC from January 6, 1975 to June 30, 1989. After that, this TV show was on CBS from July 17, 1989 to January 11, 1991. Again on NBC, this TV Show ran from January 14, 1991. Until the Wheel of Fortune was cancelled on September 20, 1991, thus, the show coexisted with the nightly version from 1983 to 1991.

Who Is Chuck Woolery?

If you’ve watched the Wheel of Fortune TV Show since its release, you may be familiar with Chuck Woolery. Aside from being a host, he was also known as a musician. He has been famous in several great shows including

    • Shopper’s Bazaar (1973, unsold pilot)
    • The Wheel of Fortune (1975 – 1981)
    • The Big Spin (1985)
    • Scrabble (1984 – 1990 and during a brief revival in 1993)
    • The original incarnation of Love Connection (1983 – 1994)
    • The Dating Game (1997-99)
    • Pyramid (1997, unsold pilot)
    • Greed (1999-2000)
    • Ultimate Fan Search (1999-2000)
    • Lingo (2002 – 2007)
    • The Most Outrageous Game Show Moments (2002-03 specials)
    • Worldwide Webgames (2006, Lingo segment only)
    • Celebrities & Game Shows (2007 special)
    • Game Show Greatest Moments (2007 special)
    • Insider’s Guide To Winning Game Show Millions (2007 special)
    • Think Like a Cat (2008 special)

Talking about Woolery’s early life, he was born in Ashland, Kentucky on March, 16 1941. Unfortunately, there is not much information about his childhood, but it is known that Woolery served in the U.S. Navy for two years once he was completing his graduation.

It is known that Woolery joined as a wine consultant in the year 1963 in a Columbus, Ohio based company Wasserstrom Wine & Import Company. He then worked at the Pillsbury Company as a sales representative for some time.

In the world of music, Woolery joined the trio The Bordermen and sang some songs with them. He was also known to sing for a duo named The Avant-Garde. As a solo artist, Woolery then released five records with Columbia. His singles were very successful such as ‘Forgive My Heart’ in 1970 and ‘Love Me, Love Me’ in 1971. There were also his hit songs like ‘The Greatest Love Affair’ and ‘Painted Lady.’

As a film actor, Woolery also acted in some movies such as Evil in the Deep (1970) and Cold Feet (1989). He also hosted a radio show from 2012 named Save Us, Chuck Woolery. He then began a podcast named Blunt Force Truth. As the co-how in the show, he has Mark Young.

Even though Woolery didn’t gain any big award, he got nominated for Hostess in a Game or Outstanding Host or Audience Participation Show in Daytime Emmy Awards in the year 1978. For his great works in the field of entertainment, Woolery probably will gain some awards and great achievement in the future.

Who Is Chuck Woolery

Here is the Woolery’s personal information:

    • Сеlеbrаtеd Nаmе: Сhuсk Wооlеrу
    • Rеаl Nаmе/Full Nаmе: Сhаrlеѕ Неrbеrt Wооlеrу
    • Gеndеr: Маlе
    • Аgе: 81 уеаrѕ оld
    • Віrth Dаtе: 16 Маrсh 1941
    • Віrth Рlасе: Аѕhlаnd, Кеntuсkу, Unіtеd Ѕtаtеѕ
    • Nаtіоnаlіtу: Аmеrісаn
    • Неіght: 1.88 m
    • Wеіght: 90 kg
    • Ѕехuаl Оrіеntаtіоn: Ѕtrаіght
    • Маrіtаl Ѕtаtuѕ: Маrrіеd
    • Wіfе/Ѕроuѕе (Nаmе): Кіm Wооlеrу (m. 2006), Теrі Nеlѕоn (m. 1985–2004), Јо Аnn Рflug (m. 1972–1980), Маrgаrеt Науѕ (m. 1961–1971)
    • Сhіldrеn: Yеѕ (Меlіѕѕа Wооlеrу, Сhаd Wооlеrу, Ѕеаn Wооlеrу, Саrу Wооlеrу, Каthаrіnе Wооlеrу, Місhаеl Wооlеrу)
    • Dаtіng/Girlfriend
    • (Nаmе): N/А
    • Рrоfеѕѕіоn: Gаmе ѕhоw hоѕt, tаlk ѕhоw hоѕt, аnd muѕісіаn
    • Nеt Wоrth іn 2022: $18 mіllіоn

How Popular is the Wheel of Fortune TV Show?

With 7,000 episodes aired as of May 10, 2019, Wheel of Fortune reportedly ranks as the longest-running game show in the United States. TV Guide named this TV show the ‘top-rated syndicated series’ in a 2008 article.

In 2013, the magazine ranked Wheel of Fortune TV Show at No. 2 in its list of the 60 greatest game shows ever. Wheel of Fortune has also come to obtain a worldwide following with 60 international adaptations. Furthermore, the syndicated series’ 39th season aired on September 13, 2021.

Not Chuck Woolery, but Pat Sajak has become the longest-running host of any game show, surpassing Bob Barker who hosted The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007.

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