Vanna White has become one of television's most recognizable and enduring personalities,
thanks largely to her role on "Wheel of Fortune." Since 1982,
White has graced the show as the co-host and letter-turner, a role that initially
involved physically turning letters on the puzzle board but has since evolved
with technology. Over the decades, her elegant presence, combined with her warm rapport with
contestants and co-host Pat Sajak, has made her a beloved figure in American pop culture. Her
consistency and dedication to "Wheel of Fortune" have cemented her legacy as a television icon,
touching multiple generations of viewers. But recently, Vanna broke a 30-year streak… join
Facts Verse, as we present: Vanna White MISSING on Wheel of Fortune for First Time in 30 Years!
Vanna’s Absence Vanna White may be rich,
famous, and gorgeous, but she’s never let her success go to her head. At least not when it
comes to consistency and dedication to her job. The long-time co-host of Wheel of Fortune is
legendary for her ability to do her job, no matter what’s going on in her life. In fact,
Vanna has literally not missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune in 30 years. Until now.
It’s been reported that White missed a day of taping recently, due to illness. And while most
people call in sick now and again, it’s a serious departure for the long-time Wheel letter-turner.
But not to worry, it’s not because of anything too serious. She was back the following day. But
it did mean that she won’t be on five episodes of the long-running show, because they tape several
each day of filming. And while there can sometimes be wiggle room as far as moving the shoot date,
the producers were boxed into the dates for that particular day. That’s because it was part of
“Teachers Week.” As such, they couldn’t postpone the filming, because school is about to start,
and those teachers need to be back in the classroom! In a fitting move, the show had
the 2023 California Teacher of the Year, Bridgette Donald-Blue, fill in for Vanna during her absence.
Vanna’s Previous Absences While Vanna hasn’t missed a show in 30 years,
there have been occasional times when she’s been forced to miss a taping. And by occasional,
we mean literally three days ever. In 1986, she suffered a horrible tragedy, when her fiancée
was killed in a plane crash. Vanna took a day off from filming to mourn his loss. She was replaced
for the day by Susan Stafford. Then in 1991, after finding love again, White got married and
went on a honeymoon. The show agreed that it was a great reason to miss a day of work, so she and her
new husband, George Santo Pietro, went on a trip, and Tricia Gist filled in for Vanna on Wheel. The
third time was also in 1991 when she was out sick. Tricia filled in for her that day too.
Vanna’s Life Vanna was born Vanna Marie Rosich on February 18,
1957, in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Her life and career are a blend of perseverance,
dedication, and a bit of serendipity. White grew up in South Carolina and, following high school
moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended the prestigious Atlanta School of Fashion and Design.
Her ambition to be in the entertainment industry led her to move to Los Angeles in the late
1970s. In Los Angeles, White worked as a model and took on small roles in films and TV shows.
Her big break came in 1982 when she was selected as one of the three substitute hostesses of "Wheel
of Fortune" following the departure of Susan Stafford. Not long after, she became the show's
regular hostess. Teamed up with Pat Sajak, Vanna quickly became a household name, known for her
graceful presence and the seemingly effortless way she revealed letters on the game board. Over time,
as technology evolved, the physical turning of letters was replaced with touch screens,
but Vanna's charm remained a constant on the show. Beyond "Wheel of Fortune," White has
made cameo appearances in various TV shows and films, often playing herself. She has been a guest
on talk shows and even authored an autobiography titled "Vanna Speaks!" in 1987. Moreover, she's an
avid crocheter and has a yarn line named "Vanna's Choice." White has faced her share of challenges,
including the tragic death of her fiancé, John Gibson, in a plane crash in 1986. She's been
married twice and has two children from her marriage to restaurateur George Santo
Pietro. With a career spanning decades on one of America's most enduring game shows, Vanna
White's legacy is that of consistency, grace, and professionalism. She holds a Guinness World Record
for "Television's Most Frequent Clapper," a nod to her enthusiastic applause for "Wheel of Fortune"
contestants. Her enduring presence on the show has made her a beloved figure in American pop culture.
Vanna’s Future As Pat Sajak rides off into
the retirement sunset, and Ryan Seacrest takes over hosting duties for the show,
many have been wondering if Vanna will stick around. Well, that’s still to be determined.
But she has stated that she’d like a pay raise if that were to happen. She’s currently paid $3
million a year for the show, which is certainly a lot. But it’s about a fifth of what Sajak makes.
And although his job is arguably a lot more challenging, Vanna knows how truly valuable
she is to the show. As such, she’s asking for a higher salary. Here’s hoping she gets one!
The History of the Show "Wheel of Fortune" is one of
the longest-running and most popular game shows in television history. Its mix of word puzzle-solving
and chance, represented by the iconic spinning wheel, has captured the attention of audiences for
decades. Here's a brief history of this beloved show: "Wheel of Fortune" was created by Merv
Griffin in 1975. The idea was inspired by the game "Hangman" and the roulette wheel used in casinos.
Griffin initially titled it "Shopper's Bazaar" with a pilot episode that aired in 1973. However,
after some tweaks and changes, it debuted as "Wheel of Fortune" on NBC on January 6, 1975.
The original format had contestants shopping for prizes with the money they won from solving word
puzzles. This "shopping" element was eventually removed in the late 1980s to streamline and speed
up the game. Chuck Woolery was the original host, with Susan Stafford as the letter-turner. In 1981,
Pat Sajak took over hosting duties, and a year later, Vanna White replaced Stafford. The duo of
Sajak and White became synonymous with the show, creating a long-standing partnership
that has endured for decades. The daytime version of the show was a hit, leading to
the creation of a syndicated evening version in 1983, which became even more popular. The
nighttime "Wheel of Fortune" often ranked among the top shows in syndication. Over the years,
the show has seen several format changes, like the introduction of the Jackpot, Mystery,
and Million Dollar wedges. The manual puzzle board was replaced with a touch screen version in
1997, ending the need for physical letter-turning and beginning Vanna's era of touching letters
to reveal them. "Wheel of Fortune" has become deeply ingrained in American pop culture. Its
catchphrases, like "I'd like to buy a vowel," have entered everyday language. The show has
been parodied in numerous TV shows, movies, and comedy sketches. The game show's combination of
simplicity and excitement has contributed to its longevity. Its universal appeal has led to
international versions being produced in over 45 countries. In recognition of its impact,
"Wheel of Fortune" has received numerous awards and accolades,
including several Daytime Emmy Awards. Today, "Wheel of Fortune" stands as
a testament to the enduring appeal of a well-designed game show and the charisma
of its hosts. Its place in television history is firmly secured, with no signs of slowing down.
Pat and Ryan As you probably have heard, long-time
host Pat Sajak will be stepping down after decades as host. He’ll be replaced by Ryan Seacrest. And
fans all over the country are remembering the incredible job that Sajak has done over the years,
and how he’s been a big part of American pop culture and TV game show history. Pat, born
Patrick Leonard Sajdak on October 26, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, has enjoyed a remarkable career
in television, especially as the iconic host of "Wheel of Fortune." Sajak grew up in Chicago and,
after high school, attended Columbia College Chicago. While in college, he worked as a desk
clerk at the Palmer House hotel in Chicago. Sajak's broadcasting career began in the armed
forces. He joined the U.S. Army in 1968 and was sent to Vietnam, where he served as a disc jockey
on Armed Forces Radio. Following his military service, he continued his radio career, eventually
landing a job as a weatherman for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles in the 1970s. big break came in 1981 when
he was selected to replace Chuck Woolery as the host of "Wheel of Fortune," then a daytime show
on NBC. With his easygoing charm and wit, Sajak quickly became a favorite among viewers. When
the show moved to evening syndication in 1983, its popularity skyrocketed, turning Sajak and
co-host Vanna White into household names. The duo has remained the face of "Wheel of Fortune" for
decades, making it one of the longest-running game shows in U.S. television history. While "Wheel of
Fortune" is certainly Sajak's most prominent role, he has explored other avenues in entertainment. He
briefly had his own late-night talk show, "The Pat Sajak Show," which aired on CBS from 1989 to 1990.
Sajak has also made guest appearances on several TV shows and movies, often playing himself. Sajak
has been married to Lesly Brown since 1989, and they have two children together. Off the set,
he is known for his sharp wit, which is evident in his frequent Twitter posts,
and has occasionally sparked discussions on various topics. His tenure on "Wheel of Fortune"
is a testament to his skill as a host and his connection with audiences across generations.
Now it’s time to hear from you. Were you surprised to find out Vanna hadn’t
missed a show in 30 years? Let us know in the comments section below!