This is Johnny Gilbert‘s 98th birthday! Jeopardy! shared a tribute to the announcer for his birthday on July 13, and fans reacted to the post.
“A very happy birthday to our legendary announcer, Johnny Gilbert,” the post was captioned. Along with it were photos of Gilbert with a Jeopardy! jacket and microphone, smiling on set. In another photo, he also pulled a paper out of a container with former host Alex Trebek. Others were of him on set, talking to crew members and audiences.
Gilbert has been with the game show since the syndicated run began in 1984. He is best known for saying “This is Jeopardy!” at the beginning of the episodes and introducing the contestants. He also sometimes has a category where he sings popular songs.
He is beloved by fans, despite rarely being seen on air. Ever since the pandemic, according to 13 News Now, he has been recording introductions and categories remotely from his home studio in Los Angeles, California. Most likely, he stays home now due to his age.
Fans were fuming when the intro was changed during Season 42, and Gilbert was taken out of it, only having his voice-over lay.
“The best in the biz! And he shares a birthday with one of my closest friends, so that’s pretty cool,” a fan wrote. Many fans wished him a happy birthday in the comments.
“The GOAT!! To have his energy and cadence in his delivery after so many decades in this industry is astonishing,” a Reddit user said.
“He is the true heart of Jeopardy!” another said.
“That voice! Wouldn’t it be something to hear Johnny Gilbert announce your name!! Happiest of happy birthdays!” A Facebook user said.
“I can’t imagine anyone else doing the announcing,” another wrote.
“Good bless him ! he is truly an American icon,” one last fan said.
Aside from being the announcer on Jeopardy!, Gilbert has also had a singing career, as well as a master of ceremonies for Words and Music and the host of Music Bingo, according to his Jeopardy! bio. Gilbert also starred in the movie Gidget Goes Hawaiian.
Jeopardy!, weekdays, check local listings, stream next day on Peacock and Hulu