Tom Hanks Takes Over Hosting Duties from Vanna White on 'Wheel of Fortune' for April Fools' Day

Jared Leto Steps in for Pat Sajak for Surprise 'Wheel of Fortune' April Fools' Day Hosting Gig

Jared Leto, Pat Sajak. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Jared Leto surprised Wheel of Fortune fans on April Fools' Day by stepping in as a guest host. The 53-year-old Oscar winner took over for Pat Sajak on the show's episode aired on Monday, April 1. The announcer introduced Leto and Vanna White, 67, as the new hosts to a round of applause from the audience.

Leto looked sharp in a classic black suit, white dress shirt, and a patterned tie to match White’s black jumpsuit ensemble. He bid White farewell with a friendly “Thank you and have a great show. See you soon,” before moving on to greet the contestants at the wheel.

Next, Leto rallied the contestants, saying “All right everybody, grab those devices. It’s time to give away some money.” The first toss-up prize was $1,000, with the category being ‘On the Map.’

After the clue was shown on the screen, the broadcast returned to Sajak, the host, without mentioning Leto's cameo. Leto later posted a clip of his short appearance on Wheel of Fortune on his Instagram Story. He asked his fans, "How'd I do?"

Leto made a return visit to Wheel of Fortune on Monday. He, along with his brother Shannon Leto, asked hosts Sajak and White to help announce their band Thirty Seconds to Mars’ 2024 Seasons World Tour.

Jared Leto Steps in for Pat Sajak for Surprise 'Wheel of Fortune' April Fools' Day Hosting Gig

In a YouTube sketch posted in November 2023, Jared and Shannon, who are 54 years old, participated as contestants in a game where they had to guess the clue for the category "Show Biz." The answer turned out to be "Thirty Seconds to Mars World Tour!"

After filling in for Sajak on Monday’s Wheel of Fortune episode, Jared, Ryan Seacrest will be taking over as the new host starting from the 2023-2024 season. Sajak had announced his retirement from the show in June 2023 after being with the series for over 40 years.

In a statement, Sajak mentioned, “The time has finally come. I have made the decision that the upcoming 41st season, starting in September, will be my final one. It has been an amazing journey, and I will share more details in the coming months. Thank you all for your support.”

White praised her costar following his retirement news on social media. She expressed her happiness at sharing the stage with him for 41 seasons of Wheel of Fortune, with one more season to come. White raised a toast to her costar, @patsajak!

Seacrest, on the other hand, shared his feelings in a press release. He mentioned feeling honored to be following in Sajak's footsteps. Seacrest admired Sajak for his treatment of contestants and the way he made viewers feel comfortable at home. The American Idol host is excited to learn from Sajak during this transition period.

In September 2023, White put an end to the rumors by signing a two-year contract extension to continue her role on Wheel of Fortune until the 2025-2026 season. There were speculations about her salary negotiations and the possibility of her role being eliminated after Sajak's departure.

Editor's P/S:

Jared Leto's surprise guest appearance on Wheel of Fortune was a delightful and unexpected treat. His charismatic hosting skills and genuine enthusiasm made for an entertaining episode. Leto's brief stint as host provided a glimpse of his versatility as an actor and his ability to connect with the audience. The interaction between Leto and Vanna White was particularly endearing, highlighting the show's enduring appeal.

The article also sheds light on the upcoming changes to Wheel of Fortune, with Pat Sajak's retirement and Ryan Seacrest's introduction as the new host. Sajak's departure marks the end of an era, but it's reassuring to know that Seacrest will bring his own unique style and warmth to the show. Vanna White's continued presence as co-host ensures a seamless transition and the preservation of the show's beloved traditions.