Wheel of FortuneIs 50! See Photos from Every Decade of the Iconic Game Show's Epic Run

Mar. 15, 2025

‘Wheel of Fortune’ hosts Chuck Woolery, Pat Sajak and Vanna White.Photo:Everett; Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Christopher Willard via Getty

Everett; Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Christopher Willard via Getty

WhenWheel of Fortunepremiered on Jan. 6, 1975, the game show looked very different than it does today. WhilePat Sajak and Vanna Whitewould eventually come to define the show in most viewers’ memories as much as the titular wheel, it would be years before either co-host signed on. Instead,Wheel of Fortunelaunched as a daytime series on NBC with co-hostsChuck Wooleryand Susan Stafford at the helm.Over the past five decades, the show switched networks multiple times while also airing in syndication, aired both daytime and evening editions and earned multiple Daytime Emmys, including three for Sajak. As the longest-running syndicated game show in the U.S., it has definitely stood the test of time, becoming a television institution.On the show’s 50th anniversary, take a trip back in time to see howWheel of Fortune’s look and the look of its hosts has evolved since 1975.

WhenWheel of Fortunepremiered on Jan. 6, 1975, the game show looked very different than it does today. WhilePat Sajak and Vanna Whitewould eventually come to define the show in most viewers’ memories as much as the titular wheel, it would be years before either co-host signed on. Instead,Wheel of Fortunelaunched as a daytime series on NBC with co-hostsChuck Wooleryand Susan Stafford at the helm.

Over the past five decades, the show switched networks multiple times while also airing in syndication, aired both daytime and evening editions and earned multiple Daytime Emmys, including three for Sajak. As the longest-running syndicated game show in the U.S., it has definitely stood the test of time, becoming a television institution.

On the show’s 50th anniversary, take a trip back in time to see howWheel of Fortune’s look and the look of its hosts has evolved since 1975.

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1970s

Susan Stafford and Chuck Woolery in 1975.Courtesy Everett

Courtesy Everett

02of 061980sPat Sajak and Vanna White in the 1980s.Herb Ball/NBCU Photo BankThe dream team of Pat Sajak and Vanna White first hostedWheel of Fortunetogether in 1982, and over the subsequent four decades became the indisputable faces of the show.

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1980s

Pat Sajak and Vanna White in the 1980s.Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank

Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank

The dream team of Pat Sajak and Vanna White first hostedWheel of Fortunetogether in 1982, and over the subsequent four decades became the indisputable faces of the show.

03of 061990sPat Sajak and Vanna White in the 1990s.Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyThe show’s look definitely moved with the times. White in particular brought a distinctive brand ofeye-popping glamorto her role as co-host in the late-’80s and ’90s.

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1990s

Pat Sajak and Vanna White in the 1990s.Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

The show’s look definitely moved with the times. White in particular brought a distinctive brand ofeye-popping glamorto her role as co-host in the late-’80s and ’90s.

04of 062000sVanna White and Pat Sajak in 2006.Maury Phillips/WireImageWhite and Sajak were still going strong, as wasWheel of Fortune, in the 2000s. Of course, as the era of big hair and bold gowns receded, White’s look matured into something more elegant and modern.

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2000s

Vanna White and Pat Sajak in 2006.Maury Phillips/WireImage

Maury Phillips/WireImage

White and Sajak were still going strong, as wasWheel of Fortune, in the 2000s. Of course, as the era of big hair and bold gowns receded, White’s look matured into something more elegant and modern.

05of 062010sVanna White and Pat Sajak in 2017.Gerardo Mora/Getty ImagesIn 2017, White and Sajak marked the 35th anniversary of their pairing as co-hosts of the show with a special taping at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center in Orlando.

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2010s

Vanna White and Pat Sajak in 2017.Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

In 2017, White and Sajak marked the 35th anniversary of their pairing as co-hosts of the show with a special taping at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center in Orlando.

06of 062020sVanna White and Ryan Seacrest.Eric McCandless/Sony Pictures TelevisionWithSajak’s departurefrom the flagship series in June 2024,Wheel of Fortuneentered a new era, withRyan Seacrestjoining White as the show’s new co-host in September of that year. Sajak, meanwhile, didn’t stay off the wheel for long. In July, the veteran host announced that he would be returning tohost ABC’sCelebrity Wheel of Fortune, which premiered in October.

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2020s

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest.Eric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

Eric McCandless/Sony Pictures Television

WithSajak’s departurefrom the flagship series in June 2024,Wheel of Fortuneentered a new era, withRyan Seacrestjoining White as the show’s new co-host in September of that year. Sajak, meanwhile, didn’t stay off the wheel for long. In July, the veteran host announced that he would be returning tohost ABC’sCelebrity Wheel of Fortune, which premiered in October.

source: people.com