However, Pat Sajak was ultimately given the hosting role following Woolery's departure in 1981 over a contract dispute. Woolery later acknowledged that he would have been earning a higher salary if he hadn’t left the game show, as reported by Parade.

Chuck Woolery, the game show veteran who was the original host of "Wheel of Fortune" and went on to host "Love Connection," has died at 83.

Former Wheel of Fortune host Chuck Woolery died at age 83. He passed away at his home in Texas with his wife Kristen Barnes at his side on Saturday, November 23. Mark Young, his friend and co-host of his Blunt Force Truth Podcast,