Alex Trebek and Larry King were both honored with posthumous awards at Friday’s Daytime Emmy Awards, with their children proudly accepting on their behalf.
At the 48th annual ceremony, Matt and Emily Trebek, Alex’s son and daughter, and Larry’s sons, Chance and Cannon King, delivered two of the night’s most emotional speeches.
Both legendary broadcasters received recognition for their exceptional hosting talents: Alex won the Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host for his work on Jeopardy!, while Larry was awarded Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host for his show Larry King Now on Ora TV.
Alex passed away in November at age 80 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Matt and Emily appeared virtually from the Jeopardy! set to accept their father’s award. The siblings are Alex’s children with his wife, Jean Currivan, and he is also survived by daughter Nicky Trebek from his previous marriage to Elaine Trebek Kares.
“We’re so honored to accept this award on behalf of our dad,” said Matt, 31. “For as long as we could remember he was honored to be a part of Jeopardy! [and] to work on a show that was based on knowledge, risk, and that challenged people how to think. He loved every bit of it.”
Emily, 28, added, “Over the past 37 years the show became his second family. He was always excited to go to work, even during his battle with cancer. He was so fortunate that he was able to do what he loved and we know he not once took it for granted.”
“So on behalf of our family, we thank you so much,” she concluded. Larry King passed away in January at age 87 due to sepsis caused by acute hypoxic respiratory failure and kidney failure.
Larry’s sons, Chance and Cannon, whom he shared with wife Shawn Southwick King, also appeared virtually to accept his award.
“I’m so thankful to be here with my brother in acceptance of this great award for our dad,” said Cannon, 21.
Chance, 22, added, “I can tell you all that my dad is looking down on us with a very large smile. This last season was a testament for his love of broadcasting.”
“As much as he is gone, he is with us in our hearts forever,” Chance said. “We love you so much, Dad.”
The two are among Larry’s five children. His eldest son, Larry King Jr., 59, was born during his 1961 marriage to Annette Kaye. Sadly, two of Larry’s other children, his son Andy and daughter Chaia, died in the summer of 2020, just five months before their father’s death.
Andy, 65, died of a heart attack, and Chaia, 51, passed away following a battle with lung cancer. Larry shared Chaia with ex-wife Alene Akins and adopted Andy, Akins’ son from a previous relationship, after they married in 1961.
In addition to their individual awards, Alex and Larry were celebrated in a special tribute segment at the Daytime Emmys, alongside the late Regis Philbin.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a heartfelt message about Alex’s legacy, saying, “Alex Trebek entertained millions of people with his quick wit and bright sense of humor – and he never missed an opportunity to stump contestants with questions about Canada.
When I got to talk with him a few years ago, he expressed to me how proud he was to be a Canadian. I had to tell him that all Canadians are incredibly proud he’s one of us as well.”
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden also honored the Jeopardy! host, recalling her experience meeting him during an episode celebrating educators. “Alex made us feel like learning was for everyone. He made it fun, exciting, and competitive.”
Martha Stewart paid tribute to Larry King, reminiscing about first meeting him when he was a young radio host in Washington, D.C.
“He was always fair, always interesting, the questions were always invigorating to the interviewee, and I always enjoyed being interviewed by him,” said Stewart, 79. “Larry was always there for me, and I think he was there for pretty much anybody he interviewed.”
She concluded, “Thank you Larry, for a life of interest, of depth, of personality, of real caring.”