He told the USO in a 2014 interview that he joined the Army and trained as a clerk typist, eventually going to Vietnam as a finance clerk. He always had a passion for broadcasting and made a number of stops before his career-defining role on Wheel. Patrick Leonard Sajdak-he unofficially dropped the “d” when he began working in television and eventually changed his name-was born in Chicago on October 26, 1946. Before Wheel, Sajak Was a Radio DJ and Weatherman Here’s the scoop on how Sajak eventually became the chief of consonants and vowels. But back in the early ’80s, his hiring wasn’t popular-and even sparked conflict between NBC and show creator Merv Griffin. Sajak has helmed the popular hangman-style game show since 1981, forming one of the most recognizable duos in television with Wheel letter-turner Vanna White.
