Pat Sajak's early career in broadcasting began with humble beginnings. After graduating from Farragut High School in 1964, he attended Columbia College Chicago while working as a desk clerk at The Palmer House Hilton hotel23. His first foray into broadcasting was at a local radio station, WEDC, where he worked the midnight to 6:00 a.m. shift3. In 1968, Sajak enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a disc jockey for the Armed Forces Vietnam Network in Saigon, famously starting his broadcasts with "Good Morning, Vietnam!"123.

Upon returning to civilian life in 1970, Sajak struggled to find steady work but eventually landed a job at WSM in Nashville, where he worked as a disc jockey and a staff announcer14. His big break came when he was hired as a weatherman for KNBC in Los Angeles in 1977, a position that brought him to the attention of Merv Griffin, the creator of "Wheel of Fortune"13. Despite initial resistance from NBC executives, Griffin's insistence led to Sajak being hired as the host of "Wheel of Fortune" in 1981, marking the beginning of his long and illustrious career in television135.

Pat Sajak served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969 during the Vietnam War, where he worked as a disc jockey for the Armed Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) in Saigon. Known for his signature morning greeting, "Good Morning, Vietnam!"—a phrase popularized by Adrian Cronauer and later by Robin Williams in the film of the same name—Sajak's broadcasts reached nearly 500,000 troops daily. Despite the ongoing conflict, Sajak's role provided a sense of normalcy and entertainment to soldiers stationed in Vietnam. He often traveled to various bases to introduce USO shows, featuring stars like Bob Hope. Sajak's service, though not on the front lines, was crucial in boosting the morale of American troops during a tumultuous period12345.

Pat Sajak's tenure as the host of "Wheel of Fortune" began in 1981, marking the start of an extraordinary 41-season run that would cement his status as a television icon12. Throughout his time on the show, Sajak's wit, charm, and affable personality endeared him to millions of viewers, making "Wheel of Fortune" the top-ranked syndicated game show in the United States1. His on-screen chemistry with co-host Vanna White became legendary, contributing significantly to the show's enduring popularity.

After more than four decades of spinning the wheel, Sajak announced his retirement from the show in 2023. His final episode as host aired on June 7, 2024, marking the end of an era in American television34. Sajak, at 77, cited his desire to leave while the show was still successful and his belief that it was "time to move on" as reasons for his retirement5. His departure was met with an outpouring of appreciation from fans and colleagues alike, celebrating his unparalleled contribution to the world of game shows and his lasting impact on American pop culture.