The show, however, was about to change. A contract dispute led Woolery to leave “Wheel of Fortune” in 1981 to go make “Love Connection.” Griffin already had an idea of who he wanted in there - and all he had to do was flip to Sajak's weather report on KNBC in Los Angeles.

In late 1981, Woolery got into a salary dispute with Merv, wanting a raise in his pay from $5,000 per week to $10,000 per week, in line with what other emcees made and because Wheel was drawing a 44 share; Merv offered $7,500 per week, and NBC agreed to pay the remaining $2,500 per week until Merv threatened to move ...

82 years (March 16, 1941)Chuck Woolery / Age

Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune (1975–1981), the original incarnation of Love Connection (1983–1994), Scrabble (1984–1990, and during a brief revival in 1993), Greed on Fox from 1999 to 2000, and Lingo on Game Show Network from 2002 to 2007.

So, where is Vanna? Thankfully, she'll be back, as she signed a multi-year deal to be on the show through the 2025-2026 season.

roughly $3 million According to People, White's annual salary is roughly $3 million - and it has stayed at that amount for the past 18 years.

What is Vanna White's annual salary? White's salary on her current contract (which is up in 2024) hasn't been publicly revealed but there are a lot of estimates. Celebrity Net Worth lists her Wheel earnings at $10 million per season but TV Line shares a much lower estimate: in the $3 million range.

about $3 million a year White has made about $3 million a year since 2005 for her Wheel of Fortune duties, while Sajak makes almost five times as much, Puck reported in June.

Kim Woolerym. 2006Teri Nelsonm. 1985–2004Jo Ann Pflugm. 1972–1980Margaret Haysm. 1961–1971 Chuck Woolery/Spouse

Kim Woolerym. 2006Teri Nelsonm. 1985–2004Jo Ann Pflugm. 1972–1980Margaret Haysm. 1961–1971 Chuck Woolery/Wife

He is best known for saying "We'll be back in 2 and 2", a quote he has mostly used on his game shows to throw to a commercial break. The "2 and 2" most likely refer the average amount of time for such a break (2:02, 2 minutes and 2 seconds).

Pat Sajak Pat Sajak will depart from the Wheel of Fortune stage next year holding the Guiness World Records title of the longest career hosting a single game show. That's a title he won't soon relinquish – at least among his peers in the U.S. Sajak, 76, began his Wheel of Fortune run more than four decades ago.