Who was the original host of the TV game show of Jeopardy ?

While Alex Trebek is the name most synonymous with the famous quiz show, he was not the first to guide contestants through its challenging clues. That honor belongs to the suave and authoritative Art Fleming, who hosted the original daytime version of the program. Created by Merv Griffin, this first incarnation ran on NBC for over a decade, from 1964 to 1975. Fleming's professorial demeanor set a serious, intellectual tone for the show, which was exactly what Griffin envisioned for his "answer-and-question" format.

The original series had a different feel from the modern classic. Dollar values were much lower, ranging from just $10 to $50 in the first round, and the iconic announcer was Don Pardo, not Johnny Gilbert. When the show was canceled and later revived for its successful syndicated run in 1984, producers offered Fleming the hosting job once more. He declined, reportedly feeling the updated version was moving too far from its roots as a more straightforward quiz. His decision opened the door for Alex Trebek to step in and begin his own legendary, multi-decade tenure.