Alex Trebek and Larry King.Photo: getty (2)
Alex TrebekandLarry Kingboth won posthumous awards at Friday’sDaytime Emmy Awards, honors their respective children were happy to accept on their behalf.
At the 48th annual awards show, Matt Trebek and Emily Trebek — Alex’s son and daughter — and Larry’s sons, Chance King and Cannon King, gave two of the evening’s most emotional speeches.
Alex diedin November at the age of 80following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“We’re so honored to accept this award on behalf of our dad,” Matt, 31, began in his speech. “For as long as we could remember he was honored to be a part ofJeopardy![and] to work on a show that was based on knowledge, risk, and that challenged people how to think. He loved every bit of it.”
Emily, 28, added, “Over the past 37 years the show became his second family. He was always excited to go to work, even during his battle with cancer. He was so fortunate that he was able to do what he loved and we know he not once took it for granted.”
“So on behalf of our family, we thank you so much,” concluded Emily.
Matt and Emily Trebek.cbs
Chance and Cannon King.cbs
Chance and Cannon, whom Larry shared withwifeShawn Southwick King, also appeared virtually to accept their father’s trophy.
“I’m so thankful to be here with my brother in acceptance of this great award for our dad,” Cannon, 21, said.
Chance, 22, continued, “I can tell you all that my dad is looking down on us with a very large smile. This last season was a testament for his love of broadcasting.”
“As much as he is gone, he is with us in our hearts forever,” Chance said. “We love you so much, Dad.”
The boys are two of five children Larry had. His other son, 59-year-old Larry King Jr., stemmed from Larry’s 1961 marriage to Annette Kaye.
Sadly, two of Larry’s other kids —his son, Andy, and daughter, Chaia— both died in the summer of 2020, five months before Larry’s own death. Andy was 65 and died of a heart attack, while Chaia was 51 and died after a lung cancer diagnosis.
Larry shared Chaia with his ex-wife Alene Akins. He adopted Andy, Akins' son, from a previous relationship, shortly after the two got married in 1961.
Bennett Raglin/WireImage; David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Their awards aside, Alex and Larry were also both honored at the Daytime Emmys in a special tribute, alongside the late Regis Philbin.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared in a special segment and spoke about the impact theJeopardy!host had on him.
“Alex Trebek entertained millions of people with his quick wit and bright sense of humor - and he never missed an opportunity to stump contestants with questions about Canada,” he said of the late host. “When I got to talk with him a few years ago, he expressed to me how proud he was to be a Canadian. I had to tell him that all Canadians are incredibly proud he’s one of us as well.”
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden recalled meeting Alex during aJeopardy!episode honoring educators and said, “Alex made us feel like learning was for everyone. He made it fun, exciting, and competitive.”
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Martha Stewarthonored Larry, whom she said she first met when he was a young radio host in Washington, D.C.
She added, “Thank you Larry, for a life of interest, of depth, of personality, of real caring.”
source: people.com
