Jeopardy! honored longtime announcer Johnny Gilbert on July 13 as he turned 98, sharing several photos of him over the years on Instagram. The show called him its “legendary announcer” in the birthday post, according to E! News.
One of the images showed Gilbert in his red Jeopardy! jacket holding a microphone, while another featured him warming up the audience, a job he has also handled as part of his work on the show. Current host Ken Jennings also posted a birthday tribute on Instagram, writing, “Happy 98th birthday to the legend Johnny Gilbert.”
Gilbert’s connection to Jeopardy! dates back to the show’s 1984 relaunch, when producer Merv Griffin and host Alex Trebek brought him on board. Trebek later wrote in his memoir that Gilbert’s voice was unforgettable, and he credited the announcer with bringing years of experience to the role.
Before becoming known for Jeopardy!, Gilbert worked as a singer and recorded two albums in the early 1960s. In 2017, he was recognized by Guinness World Records for having the longest career as a game show announcer for the same show.
