Celebrities

Ryan Reynolds Opens Up About His Last Conversation With Alex Trebek

When Alex Trebek died earlier this month at age 80 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, the world mourned the loss of the beloved game show host. Now, actor Ryan Reynolds is opening up about a conversation he had with Trebek that caused him to stop and reflect on life. 

“I was talking to Alex on the phone two months ago and that was amazing ― and then just like that he was gone,” Reynolds said in an interview with Extra. 

“It was a conversation about one of the shows he had coming up. I had been on the show a number of times, he was asking me about perhaps coming on again. I was shooting in Atlanta and was unable to do it, but I did get to speak with him which is always a privilege and a pleasure,” Reynolds added. 

When Reynolds heard of Trebek’s passing, he was shocked and sad. 

“You just never know; tomorrow is not a given,” Reynolds said. “Obviously, he was sick and it wasn’t totally, wildly unexpected, but it’s still heartbreaking nonetheless. It’s absolutely gut-wrenching.” 

On Twitter, Reynolds remembered Trebek in a tribute: “Alex Trebek was kind enough to film a cameo for our film Free Guy last year despite his battle. He was gracious and funny. In addition to being curious, stalwart, generous, reassuring, and of course, Canadian. We love you, Alex. And always will.” 

Reynolds has a cameo in Free Guy, which is about a bank teller who realizes he is a background character in an open-world video game that will be going offline soon. Trebek’s cameo involves his role as the host of Jeopardy!

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Patricia Grisafi

Patricia Grisafi, PhD, is a freelance writer and educator. Her work has appeared in Salon, Vice, Bitch, Bustle, Broadly, The Establishment, and elsewhere. She is passionate about pit bull rescue, cursed objects, and designer sunglasses.