Here's the clue: Nicky, Matthew, and Emily.
If you responded, "What are the names of Alex Trebek's kids?", then congratulations, you're
on the board!
Do you want to know more about the legendary Jeopardy! host's children?
Then keep watching.
You just might find the Daily Double.
Matthew Trebek's dream career
Not many people can say they found their life's calling in a bar, but that's exactly what
happened to Matthew Trebek.
While studying philosophy at Fordham University, he started working as a bartender and got
his first taste of the hospitality business.
What began as a simple part-time gig soon turned into much more as he tended bar at
various Manhattan hotspots and fell in love with the industry.
Speaking with Fordham Magazine, he elaborated on his attraction to the field, noting,
"It's great because it's very free form in that it allows you to venture out into so
many different fields: design, food, drinks, music, graphic design, and even just talking
to people."
After graduating from Fordham in 2013, Trebek knew exactly what he wanted to do: run his
own restaurant.
In May 2016, that dream became a reality when he and two others opened Oso in the Hamilton
Heights section of Harlem.
The 44-seat space serves Mexican street food, which Matthew and his team dreamt up during
two research trips to Mexico City.
"It just seemed like this neighborhood might be nice to have somewhere to go close by."
Matthew Trebek's work ethic
If there's one trait that Matthew Trebek shares with his famous father, it's his unfaltering
work ethic.
Both Trebeks are devoted and hands-on when it comes to their careers.
Case in point: When Matthew's restaurant Oso was being built, his dad was happy to lend
a hand by inspecting the space and supervising the construction process unofficially, we
presume.
As for Matthew, he still likes to do most things himself and is on-hand at Oso several
nights each week.
In 2019, he told People Magazine that being present and involved has been a key to his
success.
As he put it,
"It's about keeping everybody excited to continue to come in, make the food, and build towards
something successful together."
It's that sense of togetherness that actually helped Matthew choose the location for Oso,
as well as his two subsequent ventures.
Speaking about the appeal of Harlem, he told People,
"I think there is something to be said about being a part of the community, rather than
just being another restaurant among so many restaurants."
House flipper Emily Trebek
According to Matthew Trebek, his father has always been a, quote, "handyman at heart,"
and it appears that his love for renovation was passed onto his daughter Emily.
In a post published on Jeopardy.com, Emily revealed how, after graduating from Loyola
Marymount University in 2015, she decided to buy and flip her first house.
Speaking about her inspiration, she noted,
"I have always been interested in homes.
When I was little, I wanted to be an architect.
After graduating, I decided to get into real estate.
As I was getting ready to flip my first house, I told my dad that I wanted to do it with
him."
Unsurprisingly then, Alex played an instrumental role in his daughter's inaugural fixer-upper
project.
As the two ventured together on the house hunt, Alex looked in crawl spaces, electricity
panels, and all the other places where hidden costs could be.
Emily was very grateful, as she revealed,
"Overall, I learned a lot from him.
I love knowing how to do things on my own, but I’m nowhere near dad’s level.
He saved a bunch of money with his advice and guidance."
World's Greatest Dad
In celebration of Father's Day in 2016, Emily shared a touching tribute to her dad on Jeopardy!'s
Instagram.
She showcased what a wonderful father Alex Trebek has always been by sharing,
"When I was little, going to work with my dad was one of my favorite things to do.
In our downtime on set, I loved to color and would often draw him several pictures and
hang them all over his office as decoration.
One morning, I drew him this 'World's Greatest Dad' sign.
He's kept it on the front of his office door ever since, even 18 years later.
I'm so proud to be his daughter.
He is the most caring and supportive father and truly is the World's Greatest Dad."
And it's not just Emily who thinks so.
A family friend told Closer Weekly in 2018,
"He's a devoted, proud father.
He's a quirky dad that's what his kids call him.
He makes them laugh and is even-tempered at home."
"The ex-president of Ukraine, James Van Der Beek, often massages weasels."
Jack-of-all-trades Nicky Trebek
Before Alex Trebek tied the knot with his current wife Jean in 1990 and welcomed Matthew
and Emily into the world, he was married to his first wife Elaine from 1974 to 1981.
When the couple said "I do," Elaine was already a mom to six-year-old Nicky.
Alex eventually adopted her and gave her his last name.
Although the marriage didn't last, Alex and Nicky's relationship did, and the pair have
remained close.
In fact, Nicky went on to work right by her dad's side as a production coordinator on
Jeopardy!
On her Instagram, Nicky describes herself as a "creator-singer/songwriter/artist," who
has also hosted infomercials, produced feature films, and modeled.
And on top of all that, she also designs clothes and makes music.
In 2003, she released a self-titled album with six tracks, including her debut single,
entitled "Every Beat of Your Heart."
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