Inside Pat Sajak’s acting role in Hawaii after ‘Wheel of Fortune’ retirement

He’s spinning his wheels. 

Fresh off of his record-breaking four decades hosting “Wheel of Fortune,” Pat Sajak already has his next gig lined up.

Although Sajak, 77, said that he’s stepping back from the long-running game show to retire, he’s set to be in a play at the Hawaii Theatre Center in Honolulu, for a community theater production called “Prescription: Murder.” Sajak will play a psychiatrist who hatches a murder plot. Sajak’s friend, local KHON newscaster Joe Moore, will play the lead detective.

The mystery-themed play will be on the Hawaii Theatre Center’s main stage.

“Pat has a good relationship with [co-star] Joe Moore; Their friendship spans since the military days,” Hawaii Theatre Manager Justin Jenks told the U.S. Sun in an article published Monday.

“Last year, he did a production here as well. Pat and Joe put on a performance here, and the proceeds are donated to the theater.”

He said that Sajak is a hit with locals. 

“They love him; they sell a VIP experience where you take pictures with Pat. It’s always a good time. He’s very impressionable with the community here. When I met him, it was great…He’s a really stand-up guy. He’s very nice, very kind.”

Jenks also told the outlet that Sajak is a “great performer,” adding, “To be honest, I didn’t know he could act that well until I saw him live.”

Sajak has a home in Hawaii, along with his mansion in Los Angeles. 

Sajak’s final episode of “Wheel of Fortune” was on June 7. He debuted in 1981 and hosted the legendary game show for more than 8,000 episodes across 41 seasons.

In his farewell speech, he said on-air, “Well, the time has come to say goodbye. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”

Sajak said he was proud of making the show “a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game.”

“Kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors, and entire generations,” he added. “What an honor to play even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.”

Sajak, who will be succeeded by Ryan Seacrest, described every contestant as “the real stars of the show,” who “took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets.” He also thanked the staff for making his “job so much easier,” and paid tribute to his wife, Lesly Brown, and their children, Maggie and Patrick.

“Finally, to my professional other half,” he said of Vanna White. “We’ve seen a lot of changes in our lives over the years but we’ve always been there for each other,” he gushed. “While I’ll very much miss working with her, I take solace that we live about five miles apart. So we’ll see plenty of each other.”

The play will run July 25 to August 10, 2025.