Who Is Johnny Gilbert? Meet the Legendary ‘Jeopardy!’ Announcer Still Saying “This Is Jeopardy!” at 98
Johnny Gilbert has had an extensive career as an announcer and highly recognizable voice
Key Takeaways
- Johnny Gilbert, the voice behind 'Jeopardy!', just celebrated his 98th birthday
- Johnny Gilbert still announces for Jeopardy! after 42 years on the job.
- Gilbert began his career as a nightclub singer, an MC and a comedian.
Johnny Gilbert, the legendary announcer whose booming voice has become synonymous with Jeopardy!, recently celebrated his 98th birthday. Since joining the beloved quiz show in 1984, Gilbert has announced more than 9,000 episodes, greeting millions of viewers with the iconic phrase, “This is Jeopardy!” His unmistakable voice has remained a constant through decades of television history, spanning the tenures of both Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings.
But Jeopardy! is just one chapter of his remarkable career—Gilbert has spent more than 60 years in show business as a singer, emcee, host and announcer on numerous game shows, earning a place among television’s most enduring personalities. Read on to meet Johnny Gilbert and discover more about his life, his extraordinary career and how he became the unforgettable voice of Jeopardy!.
Gilbert didn’t begin as an announcer
While Johnny Gilbert is best known as the iconic voice of Jeopardy! and one of television’s most recognizable game show announcers, that wasn’t the career he originally envisioned. Growing up in Newport News, Virginia, Gilbert discovered his love of performing while he was still in high school, singing with a local dance band.
After graduating, he explored a variety of entertainment careers, working as a nightclub singer in Jacksonville, Florida, performing stand-up comedy, serving as an MC (master of ceremonies) and even recording music. Those early experiences helped him develop the polished stage presence, quick wit and commanding voice that would later make him a natural fit for television. Before long, Gilbert had established himself as a successful touring nightclub performer, laying the foundation for the broadcasting career that would eventually make him a household name.
During that time, Gilbert also toured with the U.S. Army’s entertainment program, an experience that helped introduce him to television audiences. As his broadcasting career took off, he landed hosting and announcing jobs on several game shows before Jeopardy!.
He hosted Camouflage from 1961 to 1962 and Yours for a Song from 1961 to 1963 before going on to announce series including Words and Music, The $25,000 Pyramid, Chain Reaction, Headline Chasers and Hollywood Connection.
By the early 1980s, Gilbert had become one of the industry’s most respected game show announcers.
Johnny Gilbert joins ‘Jeopardy!’
When producer Merv Griffin revived Jeopardy! for syndication in 1984, Gilbert’s reputation preceded him. According to Gilbert, the production team simply called his agent and offered him the announcing job—no audition required.
More than four decades later, he continues to open each episode with the instantly recognizable line, “This is Jeopardy!” In 2017, Guinness World Records recognized Gilbert for the longest career as a game show announcer on the same show, an honor he earned after 32 years behind the microphone.
“Johnny will be the announcer of Jeopardy! as long as he would like to be the announcer of Jeopardy!,” executive producer Mike Richards said. “I have told him that, and it’s just how he is, humble. He’s never taken the job for granted.”
Johnny Gilbert has appeared on more than just Jeopardy!
Although most viewers recognize Gilbert from Jeopardy!, he’s also made memorable appearances on several beloved television shows—often playing himself or lending his famous voice.
In 1988, he appeared on Mama’s Family, followed by a guest role on 227 the next year. In 1990, he appeared as himself in the Cheers episode “What Is… Cliff Clavin?,” a Jeopardy!-inspired storyline centered on Cliff’s appearance on the game show.
Gilbert later popped up in The Golden Girls episode “Questions and Answers” (1992), Beverly Hills, 90210‘s “Double Jeopardy” (1995) and also lent his voice to animated favorites including Johnny Bravo, The Angry Beavers and Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?
At 98, Johnny Gilbert remains one of the most recognizable voices in television history. After more than 60 years in entertainment—and over four decades with Jeopardy!—he continues to introduce contestants and viewers alike each week, proving that some television traditions never go out of style.
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