Alex Trebek Steps Out Looking Shockingly Different Ahead Of Book Launch, Amid Cancer Battle

Longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek made a rare public appearance on Wednesday, May 28, as he took out the trash at his Los Angeles, California, home. While the 79-year-old rolled out the trash can to the curb, he looked shockingly different than most fans know him. Trebek, who is currently fighting pancreatic cancer, appeared frail and pale, according to the Daily Mail.

Trebek, who lost his hair during cancer treatments, was without his wig on Wednesday. He wore a pair of jeans, sneakers and a blue Jeopardy! T-shirt, with a pair of eyeglasses hanging from his neck. He appeared serious as he completed the task, glancing up at the cameras a few times without smiling. In recent months, the only time Trebek has been seen publicly is when he takes out the trash once a week.

The reason that the game show host is so scarcely seen these days is not because of his current health status but rather because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trebek is not only elderly — his immune system is also compromised due to his grueling cancer treatments. As a result, he is particularly vulnerable to not only contracting the virus but of potentially facing life-threatening complications if he does become sick. Thus, he has been practicing social distancing by remaining in quarantine at his residence.

A one-year update from Alex: pic.twitter.com/W9101suZeZ

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) March 4, 2020

Meanwhile, filming for Jeopardy! has been put on hold for safety reasons until further notice. The show went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in an effort to ensure the safety of all.

But Trebek has still had plenty of work to keep himself busy during his quarantine. He is currently preparing for his book launch which is planned for July 21, one day before the television personality turns 80-years-old. The autobiography, entitled The Answer Is…: Reflections On My Life, will be published by Simon & Schuster.

According to a press release, the book is expected to be about a number of topics such as “what prompted him to shave his signature mustache, his insights on legendary players like Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, and his opinion of Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live impersonation.”

However, it will also be going into more personal topics, such as “marriage, parenthood, education, success, spirituality and philanthropy.”

As The Inquisitr previously reported, Trebek gave a video update on Twitter in March regarding his fight against cancer.

“I would be lying if I said the journey was an easy one. There were some good days, but a lot of not-so-good days,” he said.