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Vanna White and Pat Sajak Grabbed Lunch Ahead of Ryan Seacrest’s ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Debut
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Vanna White and Pat Sajak Grabbed Lunch Ahead of Ryan Seacrest’s ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Debut

Vanna White and Pat Sajak spent a few fun days together in the days leading up to Ryan Seacrest’s first appearance as host of “Wheel of Fortune.”

The famous TV duo were spotted enjoying a cozy lunch date on Tuesday, September 3, at California Pizza Kitchen in Encino, California. The location was convenient for the former “Wheel of Fortune” host, 77, since he lives nearby with his wife, Lesly Brown. The TV personality and the former model have been married for 35 years.

Sajak and White, 67, had smiles on their faces all day and seemed in high spirits during their lunch outing.

Pat Sajak and Vanna White grab lunch together in LA on September 3, 2024, just days before Ryan Seacrest’s first episode as host of “Wheel of Fortune” aired. Coleman-Rayner

White wore a gorgeous, flowy pink dress with silver sandals, while Sajak opted for a blue shirt, chino pants, blue canvas shoes and sunglasses.

At one point, the TV icons sat together and appeared to be looking at something on White’s cell phone.

The pair have rarely been photographed together, despite their longstanding working friendship. White joined “Wheel of Fortune” in 1982, just a year after Sajak joined.

White and Sajak went to California Pizza Kitchen in Encino for their lunch date. Coleman-Rayner
Sajak and White seemed to be in good spirits. The couple is rarely photographed together. Coleman-Rayner

Sajak and White have reportedly remained on good terms since Sajak announced his departure from “Wheel of Fortune” after four decades at the helm.

He announced he would be leaving in June 2023. His final show was on June 7, 2024, after 41 seasons with over 8,000 episodes. White will continue in season 42.

Ryan Seacrest, 49, took over for Sajak after his departure. The first episode hosted by Seacrest aired Monday.

White and Sajak had the biggest smiles on their faces. Coleman-Rayner
White looked bright and colorful in a striking pink dress. Sajak wore a blue shirt, Chino-style pants, blue canvas shoes and sunglasses. Coleman-Rayner

After landing the job, Seacrest said he was “truly honored to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak” in a June 2023 statement posted to social media shortly after Sajak announced his retirement.

“I can say, along with the rest of America, that it has been a privilege and pure joy to have Pat and Vanna (White) on our television screens for the past 40 years, making us laugh every night and making us feel completely at home with them,” he added.

In February 2023, the former “American Idol” host announced that he would be leaving his role as co-host of “Live with Kelly and Ryan” after six years on the show. He taped his final episode in April of that year.

Vanna White and Pat Sajak on “Wheel of Fortune.” AP
Pat Sajak hosts “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” returning October 14, 2024. ABC

After it was announced that Seacrest would replace Sajak, White said she was “very scared” about her on-camera chemistry with the multi-star host.

“I’ve known Ryan for about 20 years,” White said in a Sept. 1 interview. “But over the last few months, we’ve been traveling together for the show and getting to know each other a little bit better. So I think our chemistry is good.”

“I had no idea what to expect, since I’ve been used to one person for so long,” she added, referring to Sajak.

“I was very scared,” she confessed. “But he’s doing great.”

Although Sajak has stepped down from “Wheel of Fortune” as host, he signed a three-year contract to work on the show as a consultant. He will also host the spin-off “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” which returns on October 14.